BY TEWODROS KASSA
Many thanks to our great Adwa patriots, Ethiopia annually celebrates victory day not independence day. The unity of all Ethiopians irrespective of ethnicity, religion, gender, and commitment to fight the invading Italian forces has guaranteed the sovereignty of the country.The then fighters, saying“no”to the interference of foreign powers in the internal affairs of Ethiopia, successfully defended the sovereignty of the country from invaders.
Numerous historians repeatedly uttered that the Golden Victory of Adwa sealed the unification of Ethiopia and strengthened the power of Emperor Menelik II.
A renowned British Historian Augustus Wylde wrote that “In the history of mankind, there has never been any other black man like Menelik, who had triggered a lasting fear and doubt in the mind of Europeans.”
Presenting a paper during the 121st anniversary of the Battle of Adwa in Addis Ababa University, former South African President Thabo Mbeki said that the then leaders of the Ethiopian army left a shining history that will never be underestimated.
“The heroic African army led by Emperor Menelik II, Empress Taitu, Ras Alula, Ras Makonnen and other eminent Ethiopians, by defeating the invading Italian forces, gave all Africa the powerful message that our continent’s struggles for liberation from imperialism and colonialism would emerge victorious.That victory also confirmed the high esteem in which Africans across our continent and in the African Diaspora held, as well as the inspiration they drew from the existence of this sovereign African State (Ethiopia)which had existed for millennia,” he noted.
Accordingly, it was for this reason that for many Africans the two names Africa and Ethiopia were seen as synonymous. Through the victory at Adwa, Ethiopia taught all Africans the critical importance of national unity in the struggle to defeat the common colonial enemy, given the example that had been set as the Ethiopians throughout the empire united as one people to defend their independence, thus to shed their blood to assert their right to determine their destiny.
More importantly, that victory also underlined the absolute imperative for the Africans to repudiate the demeaning image of themselves propagated by the imperialist powers that they were inferior and barbaric, and therefore the need to affirm their human dignity and their equality with all nations.
According to him, the Victory at Adwa also underlined the vital importance of a skilled and patriotic leadership capable of outsmarting the enemy not only on the deadly military field of battle, but also in the challenging areas of politics and diplomacy.
In the end, the Victory at Adwa told all Africans that they were indeed right to call themselves Ethiopians because as such they had demonstrated practically that the claimed invincibility of the European powers was false, and that united Africa and Africans would win.
It also made an important statement about the emancipation of women and gender equality, illustrated both by the role played by Empress Taytu before and during the Battle of Adwa and the contribution of the women battalions during the Battle.
The Victory at Adwa was also important for the Africans because it helped to undermine or weaken the arrogant feeling of superiority of the colonial powers and nations and therefore strengthened the resolve and confidence of the African oppressed.
Therefore, the Battle of Adwa has gained more attention among all Africans and the international community. The current generation should discover the Battle of Adwa and utilize this shinning victory of the forefathers/foremothers for socio-economic development through attracting more tourists into the area. There are various natural and manmade tourist attractions that commemorate the Battle of Adwa.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald Addis Ababa City Administration Culture and Tourism Bureau Intangible Heritages Senior Expert Memhir Mekbib Gebremariam said that there are numerous heritages and places that commemorate the Battle of Adwa.
This Menelik II Square, Adwa Bridge, Ras Mekonnen Bridge, Adwa war leaders’ villages and homes, among others are the major Adwa commemorating heritages found in the city. The then Adwa war leader Fitawrari Habtegiorgis Dinegde village is found in the present American Giby.Gola Michael is also the other prominent war leader village. The present day Balcha Hospital is also named after the then notable Adwa fighter known as Balcha Safo. The other well-known Adwa fighter from the Hadiya community known as Fitawrari Geja Gerbo who led more than 80,000 Hadiya fighters is also found on the way to Merkato.
Dejach Wube village is also the other common place in Addis Ababa named after the eminent Adwa fighter and Empress Zewditu Menelik husband. The present day Gofa Camp is also named after the Gofa fighters that were led by Fitawrari Beshah Aboye.
In addition, numerous Adwa related heritages including war armaments, dressing of war leaders and fighters, as well as other notable written documents are found inside the Entoto Saint MaryChurch and being visited by several local and international tourists.
According to him, his Bureau is researching, registering, conserving, and promoting the major historical heritages that are related with the Battle of Adwa to protect well and inherit them to the future generations. The youths should be well acquainted about the greatest Adwa Victory and give more attention to the issue as it is the country’s turning point to the era of civilization and unity. They should firmly debate the fact of the Battle of Adwa and witness that Adwa is the symbol of all black people’s freedom.
“More assignments are left ahead to promote the outstanding struggles of the Adwa patriots and discover the notable Adwa heritages among the new generations. Thus, the close collaboration and active participation of the government, tourism sector actors, pertinent stakeholders, as well asevery Ethiopian is needed to promote the Adwa Victory and attract international tourists,” he said.
In sum, more efforts are expected from the new generations, private actors, and the public at large to promote Adwa very well. Doing this will enable the country to attract more international tourists and generate substantial income from the tourism sector.This generation should also be aware of his/her own history and give recognition to its significant contribution to national unity and economic development.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 3 MARCH 2023
