Born Adal Tessemma, Tekle Haymanot Tessemma was the son of Tessemma Goshu, Negus of Gojjam. Gojjam had long been a vassal kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire. The title "King of Gojjam" was an honorific title. The last time a King of Gojjam was elevated to Emperor was during the "Era of the Princes" (Zemene Mesafint). Like his father, Negus Tessemma Goshu, Adal Tessemma became the Negus of Gojjam.