Dignitaries
Dignitaries
A001161
Now in the 'Year of the Lord', 1975, is the Ex Ambassador Mallas Andom to Cairo after living office due to the tragic death/murder of his brother Brig.General Aman Michael Andom Nov 1974 by the Dergue in Ethiopia. Here invited to and also saluting the Republic of Zambias Ambassador to Cairo. You can now notice the fact that His excellency the Ambassador has aged almost many years after the tragedy that happened in Addis Abeba Nov 1974
A001156
A mix of Ethiopian and Sudanese diplomats and engineers in Sudan in a great meeting for a grand project of duilding a dam in order to benefit both the friendly countries in the field of agriculture. This picture was taken prior to the supervison of Prime Minister Mr Abdullah Khalil of Sudan and represented from Ethiopia was his excellency The Ambassador Ato Mallas Andom
A001094
This is a photo on My late mother, Mrs.Takouhy Mallas Andom (née Basmadjian), is depicted in this photograph, taken by my father just a short drive outside Khartoum. Her elder brother, Serabion, was not only a renowned hunter but also served as an adviser to the Sudanese Minister of Agriculture and Wildlife Preservation. At that time—before the secession of South Sudan—Sudan was the largest country in Africa, surpassing even the entire continent of Europe in territorial extent.
A001076
Lij Endelkachew Makonnen, Served as Prime Minister from 1 March 1974 to 22 July 1974, as the last Imperial Prime Minister appointed by Emperor Haile Selassie I. He was also the Ethiopian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and later served as Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In 1972 he was even considered as a candidate for UN Secretary-General before Kurt Waldheim’s ( who was shamely reveald later on by the western media as a very convinced Nazi sympathiser during WWII ) apointment. He also held roles such as Minister for Posts and Communications and served as International President of the YMCA, here seen greeting his Royal Highness King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), during the King's visit to Ethiopia and the Emperor. Ato Mallas M Andom the Ambassador coordinating the presentation of Imperial Ethiopian digitaries as the minister Aklilu Habte-Wold to King Saud.
A001048
One of the daughters of Princess Tenagnework Haile Selassie—the eldest daughter of Ras Tafari Makonnen (later Emperor Haile Selassie I) and Empress Menen Asfaw—visited the Ethiopian Orthodox (Tewahedo) churches in Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt, as part of an imperial family delegation. Included among the group is His Excellency Ambassador Mallas Andom. While Egypt does not house a separate Ethiopian Orthodox Church building with independent ecclesiastical authority, Ethiopian Orthodox clergy, laity, and high-level delegations do worship in and visit Coptic Orthodox churches, supported by strong inter-church relations. Sites like St. Takla Haymanot's Church in Alexandria. Architectural Style St. Takla Haymanot’s Church, located in the Ibrahimia district of Alexandria, exemplifies contemporary Coptic church architecture, blending modern forms with traditional liturgical layout. It was both constructed and consecrated on 19 June 1969, indicating a relatively recent architectural iteration rooted in local church-building traditions. Iconography The church’s walls are richly adorned with icons painted by the renowned Egyptian iconographer Isaac Fanous. His artistry is celebrated for infusing Coptic iconography with expressive and spiritually evocative style, preserving the ancestral visual theology in a renewed aesthetic. The church is dedicated to Saint Tekle Haymanot, a 13th-century Ethiopian monk venerated as both a Coptic and Ethiopian saint. He remains one of the few Ethiopian saints honored in foreign churches—his major shrine recognized in both Egypt and Ethiopia
A001040
Family portrait featuring: This is a historical information? 1) Tsion Michael Andom (commonly known as Emama Tsion Andom or affectionately, Mama Tsion) was a pioneering Ethiopian fashion designer whose life and work beautifully bridged tradition and modernity. Born in Khartoum in November 1922 to an Eritrean father and Eritrean mother, Tsion came of age surrounded by textiles: her mother was a tailor, and at just 12 years old, her father Afendi Michael Andom gifted her a Singer sewing machine—igniting her lifelong passion for design and handcrafting clothing. In 1950, accompanying her ambassador husband to London, she attended a function at Buckingham Palace in a self‑designed satin-and-lace Victorian-style dress. An Indian dignitary remarked, “Why don’t you have a national dress?” That question sparked Tsion’s vision: to create modern apparel that honored traditional Ethiopian fabrics and embroidery. Upon returning to Ethiopia, she founded Tsion Tibeb in 1965, the first high-fashion design house in the country/Ethiopia. She dedicated herself to transforming traditional hand-woven fabrics and hand-embroidered tibeb (decorative borders) into elegant, contemporary women's attire—including colorful habesha kemis and matching shawls (shamma), as well as cultural wedding gowns featuring vibrant kabas (capes), a departure from the customary black. Her designs became beloved by Ethiopian women—including royalty—and gained acclaim both domestically and internationally. Remarkably, she continued designing well into her late 80s, completing her final commissioned dresses in 2011, when she was 88 years old. Beyond her artistic achievements, Emama Tsion demonstrated civic courage and compassion. She was imprisoned by the Derg regime in the mid-1970s—likely due to her close ties with her brother, General Aman Michael Andom, the country's first post-imperial head of state, who was killed in 1974. Despite personal tragedy and political persecution, she maintained deep Christian faith and continued to contribute meaningfully to her community even after her release. Her life extended beyond fashion: she was also involved in humanitarian efforts, including contributions to the Ethiopian Red Cross, Cheshire Homes, and women's associations. She served as an advocate for gender equality and charitable causes, combining creative vision with a strong sense of social duty. 2) Uncle Yohannes Michael Andom—younger brother of Ambassador Mallas Mikael Andom—and, at the far left, 3) Mr. Zaki al‑Masri, a prominent businessman and close family friend of the Andom family residing and working in Ethiopia during the 1960s and 1970s.
A001034
The 1950s and 1960s (1957 a state visit by King Saud to Addis Abeba and january 1960 a state vist by Haile Sellasie I to King Saud Bin Abdullaziz in Dammam and Dhahran) were characterized by active diplomatic engagement between Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. Both nations sought to enhance economic cooperation, focusing on trade, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange. Additionally, they collaborated on regional security matters, aiming to promote stability in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. King Saud Bin Abdulaziz made an official state visit to Ethiopia in 1957, marking a significant moment in Saudi-Ethiopian relations. During this visit, he was warmly received by Emperor Haile Selassie already at the airport, and the two leaders later, engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in the realms of trade and cultural exchange. This visit underscored the mutual interest in fostering closer relations between the two nations. Emperor Haile Selassie reciprocated King Saud's visit with a state visit to Saudi Arabia in January 1960. During his time in Riyadh, the Emperor and King Saud discussed a range of issues, including regional security, economic cooperation, and the promotion of unity. The visit was marked by ceremonial events and was seen as a reaffirmation of the strong ties between the two countries. This is a photo taken från the official state visit of the Emperor to KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) in January 1960. Ambassador Mallas seen here translating to both King Saud and members of the Ethiopian delegates accompanying his Emperial majesty Haile Sellasie I.
A001033
Photo taken in India: Sir John Lionel Kotelawala some time arround 1954—then a statesman from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), who became the country’s third Prime Minister following independence from colonial rule—is shown here with his chief of secret service and personal bodyguard. They are attending a cocktail party alongside Ato Mallas Andom, by now the Ambassador of Ethiopia to the Republic of India.
A001016
One of the emperor’s granddaughters is shown here—during her visit to Cairo—having lunch with esteemed representatives of both the Egyptian and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches, following a mass jointly presided over by their clerical leaders. According to my father, who engaged in numerous private conversations with the princess, she described experiencing a profoundly divine sensation: a feeling akin to that of a holy pilgrimage. This pilgrimage was especially significant to her because she was visiting a renowned Egyptian Orthodox church with close historical ties to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Throughout the visit, she felt enveloped by a palpable sense of holiness. In the photograph, Mallas is seated at her right-hand side at the same table.
A001011
Ambassador of Tanzania with his wife accompanied by Ambassador Mallas M Andom at a cocktail party for foreign diplomats to Cairo. Tanganyika gained independence from British rule on December 9, 1961, with Julius Nyerere as its first Prime Minister (later President). Zanzibar, gaining its independence in December 1963, experienced a revolution in January 1964. The two entities united on April 26, 1964, to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar—later renamed Tanzania. Short history : In the late 20th century, Tanzania began transitioning toward economic liberalization and multi-party politics. The country remains one of East Africa’s most politically stable nations, despite persistent challenges like poverty and governance issues. Its economy benefits significantly from tourism, drawn by natural landmarks such as the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro. Source: Wikipedia and BBC.
A001010
The Ambassador of the Republic of Mali, assigned to Cairo, Egypt, is seen chatting with Ambassador Ato Mallas M. Andom at a cocktail party for foreign diplomatic representatives in Cairo. At a later date, the Ambassador of Mali presented my father, his excellency Mallas Michael Andom with a bust statue of an African elderly man, carved from ebony, as a gift from the nation of Mali. This statue served as a symbol of brotherhood, friendship, and brotherly love, between the brother countries of Ethiopia and Mali
A001009
This photograph, taken during a state reception in New Delhi in 1952, captures a significant milestone in Indian–Ethiopian diplomatic history. Diplomatic relations between India and Ethiopia were first established at the legation level in 1948 and were elevated to full ambassadorial status in 1952. The first Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia, posted in Addis Ababa in 1950, was Sardar Sant Singh. See below in detail who was the diplomatic representat of Ethiopia to India.The image below features: Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950–1962), the first President of the Republic of India. He is widely celebrated for his pivotal role in guiding India from colonial rule to an independent republic, a legacy that earned him the title “Jewel of the British Colonies.” His Excellency Ato Mallas M. Andom, standing to the right of President Prasad. Andom initially served as Ethiopia’s Chargé d’Affaires to India, representing the government of Emperor Haile Selassie I. In recognition of the rapidly deepening bilateral ties between the two nations, he was later elevated to the rank of full Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Ethiopia’s highest diplomatic representative in New Delhi. This type of diplomatic engagement served to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Ethiopia, eventually paving the way for their discussions within the Non‑Aligned Movement and the formalization of their enduring diplomatic relations. Subsequently, during his diplomatic mission to India, the Ambassador was granted an official audience with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Early in his tenure, he also had the distinct honor of meeting with Mahatma Gandhi, the revered leader of India’s non‑violent independence movement On President Prasad’s left stands another dignitary, whose identity is not confirmed by available records. They may be a presidential advisor or an envoy from a third nation.
Dignitaries
A001161
Now in the 'Year of the Lord', 1975, is the Ex Ambassador Mallas Andom to Cairo after living office due to the tragic death/murder of his brother Brig.General Aman Michael Andom Nov 1974 by the Dergue in Ethiopia. Here invited to and also saluting the Republic of Zambias Ambassador to Cairo. You can now notice the fact that His excellency the Ambassador has aged almost many years after the tragedy that happened in Addis Abeba Nov 1974
A001156
A mix of Ethiopian and Sudanese diplomats and engineers in Sudan in a great meeting for a grand project of duilding a dam in order to benefit both the friendly countries in the field of agriculture. This picture was taken prior to the supervison of Prime Minister Mr Abdullah Khalil of Sudan and represented from Ethiopia was his excellency The Ambassador Ato Mallas Andom
A001094
This is a photo on My late mother, Mrs.Takouhy Mallas Andom (née Basmadjian), is depicted in this photograph, taken by my father just a short drive outside Khartoum. Her elder brother, Serabion, was not only a renowned hunter but also served as an adviser to the Sudanese Minister of Agriculture and Wildlife Preservation. At that time—before the secession of South Sudan—Sudan was the largest country in Africa, surpassing even the entire continent of Europe in territorial extent.
A001076
Lij Endelkachew Makonnen, Served as Prime Minister from 1 March 1974 to 22 July 1974, as the last Imperial Prime Minister appointed by Emperor Haile Selassie I. He was also the Ethiopian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and later served as Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In 1972 he was even considered as a candidate for UN Secretary-General before Kurt Waldheim’s ( who was shamely reveald later on by the western media as a very convinced Nazi sympathiser during WWII ) apointment. He also held roles such as Minister for Posts and Communications and served as International President of the YMCA, here seen greeting his Royal Highness King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), during the King's visit to Ethiopia and the Emperor. Ato Mallas M Andom the Ambassador coordinating the presentation of Imperial Ethiopian digitaries as the minister Aklilu Habte-Wold to King Saud.
A001048
One of the daughters of Princess Tenagnework Haile Selassie—the eldest daughter of Ras Tafari Makonnen (later Emperor Haile Selassie I) and Empress Menen Asfaw—visited the Ethiopian Orthodox (Tewahedo) churches in Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt, as part of an imperial family delegation. Included among the group is His Excellency Ambassador Mallas Andom. While Egypt does not house a separate Ethiopian Orthodox Church building with independent ecclesiastical authority, Ethiopian Orthodox clergy, laity, and high-level delegations do worship in and visit Coptic Orthodox churches, supported by strong inter-church relations. Sites like St. Takla Haymanot's Church in Alexandria. Architectural Style St. Takla Haymanot’s Church, located in the Ibrahimia district of Alexandria, exemplifies contemporary Coptic church architecture, blending modern forms with traditional liturgical layout. It was both constructed and consecrated on 19 June 1969, indicating a relatively recent architectural iteration rooted in local church-building traditions. Iconography The church’s walls are richly adorned with icons painted by the renowned Egyptian iconographer Isaac Fanous. His artistry is celebrated for infusing Coptic iconography with expressive and spiritually evocative style, preserving the ancestral visual theology in a renewed aesthetic. The church is dedicated to Saint Tekle Haymanot, a 13th-century Ethiopian monk venerated as both a Coptic and Ethiopian saint. He remains one of the few Ethiopian saints honored in foreign churches—his major shrine recognized in both Egypt and Ethiopia
A001040
Family portrait featuring: This is a historical information? 1) Tsion Michael Andom (commonly known as Emama Tsion Andom or affectionately, Mama Tsion) was a pioneering Ethiopian fashion designer whose life and work beautifully bridged tradition and modernity. Born in Khartoum in November 1922 to an Eritrean father and Eritrean mother, Tsion came of age surrounded by textiles: her mother was a tailor, and at just 12 years old, her father Afendi Michael Andom gifted her a Singer sewing machine—igniting her lifelong passion for design and handcrafting clothing. In 1950, accompanying her ambassador husband to London, she attended a function at Buckingham Palace in a self‑designed satin-and-lace Victorian-style dress. An Indian dignitary remarked, “Why don’t you have a national dress?” That question sparked Tsion’s vision: to create modern apparel that honored traditional Ethiopian fabrics and embroidery. Upon returning to Ethiopia, she founded Tsion Tibeb in 1965, the first high-fashion design house in the country/Ethiopia. She dedicated herself to transforming traditional hand-woven fabrics and hand-embroidered tibeb (decorative borders) into elegant, contemporary women's attire—including colorful habesha kemis and matching shawls (shamma), as well as cultural wedding gowns featuring vibrant kabas (capes), a departure from the customary black. Her designs became beloved by Ethiopian women—including royalty—and gained acclaim both domestically and internationally. Remarkably, she continued designing well into her late 80s, completing her final commissioned dresses in 2011, when she was 88 years old. Beyond her artistic achievements, Emama Tsion demonstrated civic courage and compassion. She was imprisoned by the Derg regime in the mid-1970s—likely due to her close ties with her brother, General Aman Michael Andom, the country's first post-imperial head of state, who was killed in 1974. Despite personal tragedy and political persecution, she maintained deep Christian faith and continued to contribute meaningfully to her community even after her release. Her life extended beyond fashion: she was also involved in humanitarian efforts, including contributions to the Ethiopian Red Cross, Cheshire Homes, and women's associations. She served as an advocate for gender equality and charitable causes, combining creative vision with a strong sense of social duty. 2) Uncle Yohannes Michael Andom—younger brother of Ambassador Mallas Mikael Andom—and, at the far left, 3) Mr. Zaki al‑Masri, a prominent businessman and close family friend of the Andom family residing and working in Ethiopia during the 1960s and 1970s.
A001034
The 1950s and 1960s (1957 a state visit by King Saud to Addis Abeba and january 1960 a state vist by Haile Sellasie I to King Saud Bin Abdullaziz in Dammam and Dhahran) were characterized by active diplomatic engagement between Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. Both nations sought to enhance economic cooperation, focusing on trade, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange. Additionally, they collaborated on regional security matters, aiming to promote stability in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. King Saud Bin Abdulaziz made an official state visit to Ethiopia in 1957, marking a significant moment in Saudi-Ethiopian relations. During this visit, he was warmly received by Emperor Haile Selassie already at the airport, and the two leaders later, engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in the realms of trade and cultural exchange. This visit underscored the mutual interest in fostering closer relations between the two nations. Emperor Haile Selassie reciprocated King Saud's visit with a state visit to Saudi Arabia in January 1960. During his time in Riyadh, the Emperor and King Saud discussed a range of issues, including regional security, economic cooperation, and the promotion of unity. The visit was marked by ceremonial events and was seen as a reaffirmation of the strong ties between the two countries. This is a photo taken från the official state visit of the Emperor to KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) in January 1960. Ambassador Mallas seen here translating to both King Saud and members of the Ethiopian delegates accompanying his Emperial majesty Haile Sellasie I.
A001033
Photo taken in India: Sir John Lionel Kotelawala some time arround 1954—then a statesman from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), who became the country’s third Prime Minister following independence from colonial rule—is shown here with his chief of secret service and personal bodyguard. They are attending a cocktail party alongside Ato Mallas Andom, by now the Ambassador of Ethiopia to the Republic of India.
A001016
One of the emperor’s granddaughters is shown here—during her visit to Cairo—having lunch with esteemed representatives of both the Egyptian and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches, following a mass jointly presided over by their clerical leaders. According to my father, who engaged in numerous private conversations with the princess, she described experiencing a profoundly divine sensation: a feeling akin to that of a holy pilgrimage. This pilgrimage was especially significant to her because she was visiting a renowned Egyptian Orthodox church with close historical ties to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Throughout the visit, she felt enveloped by a palpable sense of holiness. In the photograph, Mallas is seated at her right-hand side at the same table.
A001011
Ambassador of Tanzania with his wife accompanied by Ambassador Mallas M Andom at a cocktail party for foreign diplomats to Cairo. Tanganyika gained independence from British rule on December 9, 1961, with Julius Nyerere as its first Prime Minister (later President). Zanzibar, gaining its independence in December 1963, experienced a revolution in January 1964. The two entities united on April 26, 1964, to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar—later renamed Tanzania. Short history : In the late 20th century, Tanzania began transitioning toward economic liberalization and multi-party politics. The country remains one of East Africa’s most politically stable nations, despite persistent challenges like poverty and governance issues. Its economy benefits significantly from tourism, drawn by natural landmarks such as the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro. Source: Wikipedia and BBC.
A001010
The Ambassador of the Republic of Mali, assigned to Cairo, Egypt, is seen chatting with Ambassador Ato Mallas M. Andom at a cocktail party for foreign diplomatic representatives in Cairo. At a later date, the Ambassador of Mali presented my father, his excellency Mallas Michael Andom with a bust statue of an African elderly man, carved from ebony, as a gift from the nation of Mali. This statue served as a symbol of brotherhood, friendship, and brotherly love, between the brother countries of Ethiopia and Mali
A001009
This photograph, taken during a state reception in New Delhi in 1952, captures a significant milestone in Indian–Ethiopian diplomatic history. Diplomatic relations between India and Ethiopia were first established at the legation level in 1948 and were elevated to full ambassadorial status in 1952. The first Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia, posted in Addis Ababa in 1950, was Sardar Sant Singh. See below in detail who was the diplomatic representat of Ethiopia to India.The image below features: Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950–1962), the first President of the Republic of India. He is widely celebrated for his pivotal role in guiding India from colonial rule to an independent republic, a legacy that earned him the title “Jewel of the British Colonies.” His Excellency Ato Mallas M. Andom, standing to the right of President Prasad. Andom initially served as Ethiopia’s Chargé d’Affaires to India, representing the government of Emperor Haile Selassie I. In recognition of the rapidly deepening bilateral ties between the two nations, he was later elevated to the rank of full Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Ethiopia’s highest diplomatic representative in New Delhi. This type of diplomatic engagement served to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Ethiopia, eventually paving the way for their discussions within the Non‑Aligned Movement and the formalization of their enduring diplomatic relations. Subsequently, during his diplomatic mission to India, the Ambassador was granted an official audience with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Early in his tenure, he also had the distinct honor of meeting with Mahatma Gandhi, the revered leader of India’s non‑violent independence movement On President Prasad’s left stands another dignitary, whose identity is not confirmed by available records. They may be a presidential advisor or an envoy from a third nation.