He had fine features and a feminine hand, a copper-brown complexion, a voluminous head, gracefully set on a long and beautifully contoured neck, rare in a man, a broad, high, and domed forehead, delicately drawn temples, a small nose with mobile wings, and large eyes.
A light down shaded his upper lip; his teeth were small, pearly, and his chin short, fine, and cleft; his cheeks were flat, wide, and beardless.
Although his intelligent face was veiled with the impassivity suitable for the exercise of high power, one discovered a great goodness, timid rather than active, finesse, enjoyment, a lack of decision combined with obstinacy, a spirit of adventure, intrepidity, and that melancholic doubt that often affects those who have the responsibility of events and men.
His toga, carefully draped, revealed three long necklaces composed of pearls or talismans covered in red morocco leather or vermeil, intertwined with coral, amber, or rare glass beads.
A long gold pin, terminated by a filigree ball, was passed through his black, thick, wavy, and curled hair; as a Waizoro, he wore on his ankles periscelides composed of small gold cones strung together.Goshu Zewde belonged through his mother, Woizero Dinnkénech to the imperial family: she was the granddaughter of Walata Israel, daughter of Empress Mentewab by her first husband and half-sister of Emperor Iyasu II.
This move sparked conflict when Kenfu’s children resisted, leading to the Battle of Qwénzéla (Déngél Bärr) on October 4, 1839, in which Goshu emerged victorious.
Goshu was also open to foreign visitors, notably hosting his close friend Arnauld d'Abbadie and the Belgian consul Blondeel van Coelebroeck.
In January 1852, Goshu and Birru attempted to reclaim Gondar from Kassa’s control but eventually withdrew, only to loot Fogära and destroy the Qwärata monastery.