Their first great sadness came about in 1914-15, when they were informed of the death of Ras Hayla Maryam who was Wayzaro Manan’s younger brother. When her mother Wayzaro Sehin requested, that Wayzaro Manan should join her in Addis Ababa for the jiont mourning of her brother’s death. So, they set out from Harar on the 7th of June 1915, Dejazmatch Tafari accompanied her to as far as Haramaya. Then Dejazmatch Tafari and his troops set up camp by Lake Haramaya on the shore, since he and his men had to return to Harar. Now there used to be a boat at this Lake which took people across the Lake for recreation, so, at 3pm, they left camp and went to the Lake and entered into the boat, there were about ten people who entered the boat, and sailed across the other side of the Lake for recreation, and remained there for some time. When it was time to return to the other side where they started, they all got into the boat again, and was on their way to the other side where they came from earlier, but when they reached the middle of the Lake, the boat began to take in water, and although they used their hats and other containers to scoop out the waters, as much as they could, the boat was too old and it began to sink, with them being in it. Well, they began to swim, but it was very difficult for them to swim that great distance, since the Lake was very wide. Seven of the men became tired and drowned, they were: Abba Tasfa, Qagnazmatch Gabra Wald, Ato Ayala Seyum, Kiddana Maryam Manyazawal, Asamre, Abba Samuel, Paulos. But Dejazmatch Tafari and Dejazmatch Hayla Sellasse, were going under and coming up again. then Dejazmatch Tafari, was helped by Dejatch Abreha’s servant, while those of the officers and men who were standing on the shore, who could swim, got into the water and swam swiftly, and were able to reach the others and help to save them. They who were saved were unable to recognized any one neither were they able to speak. Fortunately enough, there was a Greek man, who was a Dr. Zervos who was there, who treated them with medication and little by little, they were able to improve. Dejazmatch Tafari was carried on a stretcher the next day to Amaressa and from Amaressa taken to Harar. Then twelve days later he was feeling well again, so he gave thanks and praise to the Creator for saving him. When Wayzaro Manan heard of the accident, she was so amazed, that she did not continue her trip to Addis Ababa, but instead returned to Harar. The above tells of one very sad day, in the lives of Tafari Makonnen and Wayzaro Manan.
This information can be read on page 42 to 43 of The Autobiography of Emperor Haile Sellassie I Volume One.
Again I send many oceans of blessings and self determination to African people everywhere
ONE BLACK HEART ONE BLACK LOVE
Baba Ras Marcus