Abstract:
A royal court is an extended royal household in a monarchy, including all those who regularly
attend on a monarch, or another central figure. Ethiopia in it’s a long political history royal
courts were the main social, economic and political center. The main purpose of this research
is to investigate, document and reconstruct the daily activities that was held in the royal court
of Negus Sahle Selassie of Shawa (r.1813-1847). This research attempts to outline the
historical process of royal court in Ethiopia. Further it addressed the royal court structures,
administration, royal banquets or sereat geber and other functionalities. In addition, the
researchers provide the daily activities and lives in the royal court of Negus Sahle Selassie.
The researchers utilized a qualitative research method by gathering primary and secondary
sources from archival centers and libraries. In addition, field observations in different royal
court center particularly in Ankober and Angolela were held. We also tried to acquire oral
information from knowledgeable clergies and old aged individuals. The research makes clear
that the royal court of Negus Sahle Selassie experienced different political, religious and social
activities in every day to day operation including military parade, religious festivity, and the
lavish royal banquets. The finding of this research is the royal court of king Sahel Selassie in
the kingdom of Shawa, had developed a well-organized structure of administration and
personals. Moreover, royal court experienced daily detailed activities to run the royal court in
particular the kingdom at large.
