Yimtubezina Museum and Cultural Center
History and Background
A Long Journey
This former residence of Mrs. Yimtubezinash Habte, which stands near the Grand Palace of the former Basha Wolde Chilot area, was constructed in 1892 E.C., by visiting Indian builders.
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The heritage house bears significant architectural, societal, and historical value. It combines Ethiopian and Indian traditional architecture from the period it was built. As one of the most iconic houses that sped up the development of Addis Ababa and established the city as the permanent capital of Ethiopia following the Victory of Adwa, it also bears immense historical value. What is more, despite the fact that the house was built in a highly patriarchal period where women’s independence and power was undervalued, this house was built by a strong and determined woman, Yimtubezinash Habte, and it is among the only ten houses registered as heritage sites to bear a woman’s name, which highlights its societal value as well.
Mrs. Yimtubezinash was the sister of the renowned patriot Fitawrari Shemeles Habte, who was the administrator of the Harar Garamuleta and its surrounding area, and who sacrificed his life protecting his country from Fascist Italy during the first Italian invasion (Maychew). Mrs. Yimtubezenash herself raised arms against the Italian invaders, who after hearing of her participation, captured and brought her to Addis Ababa. There, she remained in prison until 1933 E.C., where she endured many hardships.
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Over the years, the heritage house underwent various changes and obstacles. However, Mr. Mengistu Alemayehu, the great grand-son of Mrs. Yimtubezinash, with the help of his wife Mrs. Tiruwork Addis (both pictured here on the left) made massive contributions to its continued existence and is to this day remembered by their children.
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Ultimately, this former residence of Mrs. Yimtubezinash passed down five generations. Today, the children of Mr. Mengistu collectively decided to give
ownership of the house to one of their sisters, Mrs. Zewdinesh Mengistu, considering her efforts in the heritage house’s continued preservation and maintenance.
The house faced many threats of demolition on numerous occasions. However, with the permission of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ethiopian Heritage Authority, Mrs. Zewdinesh renovated the heritage house over several years. In 2014 E.C., it was finally established as Yimtubezina Museum and Cultural Center. The house now serves as a memorial to its founding mother after whom it was named, and to Mrs. Zewdinesh's deceased parents, Mr. Mengistu Alemayehu and Mrs. Tiruwork Addis.
This historical house was registered as an Ethiopian heritage site by the Ethiopian Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage in 1982 E.C. It was also registered as such by the Addis Ababa Culture and Tourism bureau in 2002 E.C. and 2008 E.C.
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Family picture on the front steps of the house, circa 1960.
In 2013 E.C., it was officially given the heritage identification number ET/AA/AR/I/0093 by the Authority for Research Conservation of Cultural Heritage and by the Addis Ababa Culture, Arts & Tourism Bureau. As such, it is currently one of the heritage houses included in Addis Ababa’s Master Plan, and is the first and only private museum in Ethiopia.