King Lalibela was born at either Adefa or Roha (it was later named Lalibela after him) in Bugna. He was given the name "Lalibela" due to a swarm of bees said to have surrounded him at his birth, which his mother took as a sign of his future reign as Emperor of Ethiopia. Tradition states that he went into exile due to the hostility of his uncle Tatadim and his brother king Kedus Harbe, and was almost poisoned to death by his half-sister. Because Lalibela came to power during his brother's lifetime, Taddesse Tamrat suspects that he came to power by force of arms.
To read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gebre_Mesqel_Lalibela
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ReplyDeleteAlthough in french this website here (http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k2033004/f3.image) looks like a good site to read about the life of king Lalibela.