Career
He was the eldest son of Newaya Krestos. During his reign, Haqq ad-Din II of the Walasma dynasty gained control of the kingdom of Ifat on the southeastern frontier of Ethiopia in 1376, and began raids against the Empire. According to East. A. Wallis Budge, the Royal Chronicles state that "little was known about" Newaya Maryam, and he died without issue.
He was buried at Asar, but his descendant Emperor Baeda Maryam I had his body re-interred at the church of Atronsa Maryam.