She was a high-born woman and an important leader of
Tigray-Tigrinya descent during the
Zemene Mesafint in present-day
Mereb Melash, a region which at the time encompassed not only the
Eritrean highlands but also some northern parts of modern-day
Tigray. At first, Ileni Hagos was given in marriage to Ayte Selomon, the eldest son of Kantiba Zar'ay, the ruler of
Hazega. After the death of the latter in the mid-1820s, Selemon attacked
Tse'azzega, but was swiftly defeated and fled to
Gura'e. This prompted Ileni to step up and take a more important role in local politics. She then tried twice to avenge her husband's defeat, without success. Later, Ilen allied with the
Irob-
Tigrayan lord
Shum Agame Sabagadis Woldu, who appointed her governor of
Hamassien until his death in 1831 at the
Battle of Debre Abbay. After
Sabagadis' death, Ilen was able to maintain her status by allying with the new lord of
Tigray Wube Haile Maryam. In 1837, her husband died and Ilen became her son's (the future
Woldemichael Solomon) regent. Many among her tribe who did not wish to see a woman in power, and her rule was marked by high
taxation and various wars waged against local rulers which led to a loss of popularity and eventually to her
deposition in 1841. After her demise, she retires to St. Mary's Church in
Hazega to become a nun while still playing an important role in local affairs. When one of her old enemies, Kantiba Woldegaber, whom she has defeated in battle, visits her, they have a dispute over her late husband's property. Woldegaber is murdered and Ilen is accused of the crime. ==References==