By Kimatni D. Rawlins
With intrigue and methodical engagement I just finished reading The Battle of Adwa: African Victory in the Age of Empire by Raymond James. The decisive war of 1896 kept Ethiopia from being colonized by Italy. Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II defeated the Italians in an epic sequence of historical consequences, leading to pride and honor for his nation.
The victory is the singular and monumental event that has given Ethiopia an eternal place in history. I am fascinated by the country’s culture, veggie Injera cuisine, Eskita dance, and music including my favorite artists Teddy Afro and Aster Aweke. Thus, I traveled to Addis Ababa and Lalibela in 2018 to enrich myself directly. The Battle of Adwa is an educational read covering the travails of the Italian generals, why they wanted the land, and the minor fights leading up to the primary battle.
But more interestingly, Haile Selassie’s father, Ras Makonnen Wolde Mikael, born Tafari Makonnen, was one of Menelik II’s generals, strategists, and royal court members during the war.
Ras Makonnen was strategic in helping Ethiopia defend its sovereignty. He was also multilingual and traveled throughout Europe, representing Ethiopia, which had become the leader of the African free world after Adwa. Ras Makonnen would have become the next Emperor but died from illness while on a journey. Led by the biblically impassioned Menelik II, also known as the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Ras Makonnen, Menelik II’s wife and advisor Empress Taytu Betul, and war general Welle Betul, Taytu’s brother, the Ethiopians thwarted the advancements of the brigade steered by General Oreste Baratieri who was sent home in disgrace.
In grand fashion, I had my artist Shawn Perkin (SP the Plug) recreate the Battle of Adwa to adorn the walls of my in-home cultural museum. I am touched by his artistic wizardry and mindset, which tapped into the descriptions I provided.
To this day, Ethiopia is the only African nation that doesn’t celebrate an Independence Day. Thus, the landlocked East African country (within the Horn of Africa) retained its native language (Amharic amongst them), liberty, values, laws, customs, and autonomy. One of the keystones that precipitated the war was the Treaty of Wuchale, intended to bring peace and trade between Ethiopia and Italy. However, it was written in two languages, Amharic and Italian, with the Italian version including clauses that Ethiopia disagreed with. It attempted to deceive the African country by including a 17th clause, which would give Italy control over Ethiopia’s foreign affairs and specific powers of a protectorate by default. The recrimination from both nations led to the next series of events: war.
The monumental grandeur of history is fascinating. Haile, also a former Emperor from 1930 to 1974, would become revered by Jamaican Rastas including Robert Nesta Marley who visited the country on several occasions. In fact, the Rastas praise him as their Jah. Trekking to the land gave me more perspective on the correlation between the two and the piece of property Haile bestowed to Rastas looking to resettle. This new home would be deemed Shashamane. The objectives were cultural heritage, peace, and tranquility, but they did not come without dissension. Additionally, teachings will divulge that Hailie was not as great a war general as his father, Menelik II, Tewodros, or Yohannes. Still, he did happen to reign the longest, albeit controversially.
To comprehend more of the Ethiopian people’s fighting spirit, please visit the region before your Earthly days come to a conclusion. One Love!
