Background
Mengistu was born in Harar, to Aleqa Lemma Hailu and Wro Abebech Yilma. After undertaking traditional religious studies at the Tiqo Mekane Selassie church where his father was Aleqa (a title given to church leaders), he moved to the capital Addis Ababa due to the transfer of his father to the Qatchane Medhane"alem Church.
Education
In 1948, Mengistu studied in London at the Regent Street Polytechnic before attending the London School of Economics. There he completed his play "Telfo Be Kissie" ("Marriage by Abduction") (1959), which he had created for a marriage ceremony while he was in Ethiopia.
Career
There he was admitted to Kotebe Qedamawi Haile Selassie school. In 1954, Mengistu returned to Ethiopia and then was sent to the embassy of Ethiopia to India as an official This play was the first modern comedy play in the history of Ethiopian theatre.
He also wrote "Yalacha Gabicha" ("Marriage of Unequals") (1964), "Tsere Colonialist" and "Bale Kaba Ena Bale Daba" (1979).
In addition Mengistu translated Anton Chekhov"s "The Bear" as "Dandiew Chabude" and J.B. Priestley"s "An Inspector Calls" as "Tayaqi". He also published the first Amharic book on dramatic techniques.
Politics
"Bale Kaba Ena Bale Daba" This play deals with the life standards and philosophical or ideological differences between young, educated Ethiopians and their differences on issues like materialism and idealism, socialism, and capitalism.
Membership
lieutenant was also a social reality in the traditional Ethiopian society to divide people by the procedure of blood lines and to not accept a marriage between members of different classes.