How did the legend of the Queen of Sheba and Solomon influence Ethiopian royal traditions?

The legend of the Queen of Sheba, known in Ethiopia as Makeda, is central to the nation's royal identity and political legitimacy. According to the Kebra Nagast ("Glory of the Kings"), the Ethiopian national epic, Makeda visited King Solomon to learn from his wisdom. The text recounts that she bore him a son, Menilek I, who became the founder of the Solomonic dynasty.12

This narrative served as the foundational ideology for the Ethiopian state, linking its rulers directly to the Judeo-Christian tradition. In 1270, when Yekuno Amlak ascended the throne, he used this lineage to challenge the legitimacy of the preceding Zagwe dynasty, which was criticized for lacking "Solomonic" blood.34

By establishing this genealogical connection, the Solomonic monarchs fostered national unity, reinforced their authority, and aligned the state with Semitic culture and the Amharic language. This tradition of divine or noble descent remained a cornerstone of Ethiopian imperial rule until the deposition of Haile Selassie I in 1974.3412