BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
Ethiopians living at home and abroad are celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Battle of Adwa today with various activities. The Victory is the first success of Africans over the highly armed Italian forces at the Battle of Adwa in north-central part of the country, in 1896.
Yes, many have expressed the victory with their papers and pens and others are praising forefathers with their poems and songs. Not only that some youths are also honoring the victory by traveling long distances on foot as far as close to 1,010 kms from Addis to Adwa, a place where Ethiopia won the decisive battle, to experience the ups and downs Ethiopian patriots went through.
This year’s ‘Guzo Adwa’ program was conducted with the theme: “Adwa for African victory” to commemorate the victory of Adwa as it is Africa’s victory, too.”
The Ethiopia Herald had a short discussion with Yared Shumete, travel organizer of Guzo Adwa to learn what makes this year’s travel special and other similar issues.
He said that Guzo Adwa has been operational for several years now, and group of youths have been trekking from the capital Addis Ababa to Adwa – a place where Ethiopia won the decisive battle over invading Italian colonial army, in Tigray region.
In short Guzo Adwa commemorates that challenging tip that all nations and nationalities of Ethiopians had so as to defend the independence of Ethiopia. As to him, it is over nearly one thousand kilometers.
While talking the essence of the trek, the organizer said that the trip enables travellers to understand more about the Battle of Adwa plus the history of Ethiopia.
Further, it teaches the young generation to know what the Victory of the Battle means to Ethiopians and also instills the sense of Ethiopianism.
The Ethiopian Herald also talked to one of the spots where the Guzo Adwa travelers stayed for two days known by the name Effesson town.
Kefelgne Shewafera, Efrata Gidiem Woreda Culture and Tourism Bureau Head said: “We have learnt great lessons from those youths, Adwa was ours but for various reasons its celebration had weakned”
As an ushering spot, we have staged a short play that helped to create the vibes of the then Adwa Battle by organized amateur theatre group. As the actors and actress dressed up with traditional dresses of the time, as well as cavaliers, we tried to create the vibe and mood of Adwa Battle.
In their two days stay with us, we have learnt a lot from the travellers and exchange ideas how we can teach and organize youths to better understand the Adwa victory in its full picture.
According to him, the residents of Effseosn were so amazed and thrilled by the event. “We try to exploit the occasion to introduce the natural resources and the city in a more organized fashion.”
The group has visited lakes nearby as well as museums filled with historical, aesthetical values of the communities residing in the area. We have also tried to show documentaries and attend art exhibitions that portray the potential natural resources of the Woreda and the surrounding areas.”
Ethiopian youth should overcome the current challenges they are facing in building a democratic and prosperous country by learning from the Victory of Adwa, he underlined.
Dejen Getaneh, 28 said that the people have been happy to welcome the group and let them know more about what Adwa means to Ethiopia and Africa as a whole.
He further noted, “Our forefathers had paid the highest price of sacrifice to defend the sovereignty of this land. To ensure our unity each of us should come together in the spirit of brotherhood, love and respect to one another.”
Mentioning that this year’s Adwa Victory is special in a number of cases, he said the present generation should redouble its efforts, responsibilities in building a democratic and prosperous Ethiopia.
Adwa was possible because the then leaders and people were united and defended the land from intruders. This generation should above all learn the importance of unity, Dejen said, adding that “if we are united we can solve any problem that the country encounters. We have lots of problems today.”
Ahmed Asegid, Jille Timuga woreda communication Head for his part noted that Guzo Adwa travellers were welcomed here in Senbete town, on their way to Adwa. “We have exchanged views on how the new generation should be informed about the big picture of Adwa as well the responsibilities of the elders and government.”
He further noted that there are many lessons Africans and fellow citizens could learn. We should use to capitalize its values and sell it to the rest of the world because Adwa victory was a uniting moment and the step for struggle for liberty.”
According to him, it is high time to stand in unity, particularly the young generation should renew commitments to unity and brotherhood to overcome the current problems the country is facing. Equally, stakeholders should work in more organized fashion to instill the value of the Victory, he remarked.
The Ethiopian Herald March 2/2021
