![]() ![]() This resulted in a rewriting of history, or a dominant narrative, that legitimized the imposition of borders that subjugated many people. In the context of the Battle of Adwa, this unity was used as a guise to undermine indigenous resistance to the Ethiopian empire. ![]() The common justification for Ethiopian expansion is andinet (unity). The glorified battle occurred during the reign of Emperor Menelik II, whose victory at Adwa established his power in the national arena and “appeared to cancel, or rather conceal, the internal policy of expansion and consolidation of his country’s rule in the region.”īy 1913, under Menelik II’s rule, Ethiopia incorporated territories far beyond the traditionalīoundaries of the Abyssinian empire-forcibly including Oromo, Afar, Somali, Kaffa, Nuer, Sidama, and Konso lands, which remain in the Ethiopian empire today. The counter narrative and historical significance of Adwa to indigenous and southern peoples is centrally concerned with Ethiopian expansion as foreign domination itself. This brand of Ethiopianism-centering ideas of self-worth, dignity, and freedom from colonialism-later served as the foundation of various Pan-African organizations, including ones in the United States. The strength and unity of the Ethiopian people during the Battle of Adwa has been used to encourage Pan-Africanism and Ethiopianism in the decades following the victory. Only destiny of African nations, and that Africans had the power to maintain their culture, language, and identity. The victory was juxtaposed by the history of a colonized Africa and perpetuated a narrative of Ethiopian exceptionalism from colonization. However, the significance of Adwa has been manipulated to suit different political agendas throughout Ethiopia’s domestic, national history.īecause people travelled from all over Ethiopia to Addis Ababa in preparation for the battle and advanced to Adwa from there as one, mainstream historical narratives emphasize the territorial and political unity of the Ethiopian empire and, later on, nation-state. The battle of Adwa which was mainly fought in the Adwa mountains around 980 kilometers north of Addis Ababa, is believed to have inspired other liberation fighters in the continent and around the world to struggle for freedom against colonialism.Adwa is predominantly recognized as a symbol of anti-colonialism and victory against western imperialism. The battle of Adwa on March 2,1896, which is also referred to as the first Ethiopian-Italian war, marks the first decisive black victory against a colonizer force in the African continent. Security forces have also reportedly closed down several traditional clothes shops in the city. In recent days, security forces have been harassing traditional clothes makers and confiscating t-shirts in the city which they arbitrarily deemed to be contrary to state-sanctioned narrative on the holiday. One person who is a physics teacher at school named after emperor Menilik was killed and a dozen others were wounded after the police shot at the residents. ![]() The clashes occurred when the security forces denied the residents access to the square. Security forces largely ethnic Oromo soldiers Thursday used batons and tear gas to prevent Addis Ababa residents from celebrating Adwa victory at Menilik square where the statue of emperor Menilik is erected.ĪPA reporter from Addis Ababa saw Oromia Special Forces, National Defense Force troops and police used batons and shot tear gas at residents of the capital city who were celebrating the 127-year anniversary of the Victory of Adwa. At least one person was killed amid clashes between Ethiopian security forces and residents of Addis Ababa who were celebrating the Adwa victory that marks the defeat of the Italian army by Ethiopian militias in 1896. ![]()
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