Irrespective of ethnicity, religious afflation, age brackets and sexual category, at daybreak yesterday people, from every nook and cranny of Addis Ababa and its environs, with sunny faces had been flocking straight to Menelik Square with the purpose of commemorating the 123rd anniversary of the victory of Adwa.
They kick started marking the event around the statue of Emperor Menelik with the motto ‘Our solidarity’s seal.’
Most of the participants were adorning themselves head to foot with Ethiopian costumes. They were hovering high the tri-color Ethiopian flag apart from carrying a wide spectrum of banners reflecting the unity of Ethiopia. Some of them were chanting slogans in favor of the good deeds of Menelik II and praising ancient Ethiopian patriots who had chased invaders from the soil of great Ethiopia.
As this writer was simply looking around in the length and breadth of various ways leading to Menelik II statue, he came across a range of youngsters singing Ejigayehu Shibabaw’s song lauding the victory of Adwa. The song kept on going, ‘A human being is dignified Being a human is honorable. Many a human being, Had passed away, For the love of, Rescuing, respecting mankind, Cordially invited by honor and love, And to sacrifice oneself with honor, So as to make mankind keep going, Paving the way towards freedom. Mankind’s bone and blood Had been scarified For the oxygen of freedom I breathe today …’
Some of them were singing out loud with emotion. As the situation was beautiful beyond description and extremely out of the ordinary, most of the participants could not control their overriding feeling of independence, freedom and intact identity. Sharing the same contagious feeling, this writer made up his mind to pierce through the crowd to draw near the statue of Menelik II.On his way, he bumped up the inhabitants of Addis Ababa heading to the square singing the aforementioned song which goes,
“How many fellow citizens had Fallen in the fight for freedom On the battle ground for freedom Let Adwa speak, testify Let Adwa bear witness Let my country speak How I managed to stand before you today With pride, happiness, love … The song was sure to stir up sensitive cords in one’s heart. Cords that are sure to fine-tune to nationalistic feeling. Be that as it may, the square was entirely surrounded by Ethiopians of all age-brackets coming from every corner of the capital, Addis Ababa. The whole thing was mesmeric. The Federal Police and the Defense Forcebrassbands were accentuating the event with melodious songs that praise Ethiopian patriots of all ages. The melodic songs stole the hearts and the minds of all the attendees at the stroke of a pen. Wistful and electrified, most stood still observing things.Tears were trickling down the cheeks of some of the congregants.
As chance would have it, he bumped upon ancient patriots hurrying to the statue with their ancient military outfits bedecked with a wide-array of medals around their chest pockets. Every person was according them standing ovations now and then. Youths were whistling loudly with their fingers as a token of appreciation to patriots.
After a broad – array of entertaining demonstrations, Engineer Takele Uma, Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa laid a wreath at Menelik II statue and conveyed a congratulatory message. “The stunning victory of Adwa is the outcome of a heavy sacrifice made by the concerted efforts of all Ethiopians and all Africa’s and black people,” he noted.
He kept on saying, our fathers had paid a lot of sacrifices with a view to entitling us with freedom and thus they deserve praise, respect and admiration.
For heroic fathers who had paid sacrifices, Addis Ababa will build an educative monument which matches with the honor of ancient patriots. He stressed in the lent which starts tomorrow residents of Addis should think of helping street children.
For his part Captain Wagnew Abay, Ancient Ethiopian Patriots council member said, “As you are well aware, the Italian army that had been armed to the teeth with modern weapons had tried to invade Ethiopia but in vain. The victory is the victory of Africans.Hence, I am happy to be part of the celebration of the anniversary of the 123rd victory of Adwa.
He continued: “Following in our forefathers and foremothers footsteps, youths should make an effort to stay united and maintain their country’s sovereignty. They could not take the country to the helm of success if they fight dividing themselves in religion, ethnicity, and language lines. They have a historical responsibility in this regard.”
In the message the Ethiopian Premier Dr. Abiy Ahmed conveyed pertaining to the victory of Adwa he highlighted, “The victory of Adwa, our heroic mothers and fathers registered over the fascist Italy did not only stop the colonizer Rome flag from waving on Ethiopian skies but also had made our history to be written in golden inks.
“ He continued: “By the same token the victory our fathers and mothers registered at the battle of Adwa had become a beacon of freedom to us apart from flickering a light of hope for Africans and black people who had been under the feet of slavery. Understanding this reality on the ground helps fellow citizens to ruminate yesterday, examine today and straighten out tomorrow.”
“The battle of Adwa is a manifestation of Ethiopian women’s heroic deeds. In the victory of Adwa, our sisters and mothers had partaken in the preparation of provisions, emboldening the patriots bringing into play song lyrics and melodies, taking care of causalities, collecting arsenals left behind by enemy troops, among others.”
Ancientpatriot MamiteMihretu for her part said, “I am really very happy to be part of the 123rd university of the victory of Adwa. The celebration of this year is a spectacular one. A lot of preparations have been made and the number of attendees is elephantine. The contributions of women were really laudatory at that specific point. Aside from emboldening the ancient patriots, Ethiopian women patriots were constantly providing provisions to ancient patriots and taking care of causalities. The youth should work hard in unison to take Ethiopia to the pinnacle of success based on their knowledge.
Upon dispersing participants continued chanting slogans underlining unity, peace, freedomand patriotism. Some headed to the Adwa Bridge to attend a similar program.
The Ethiopian Herald March 3,2019
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
