Victory of Adowa: March 2
Victory of Adowa is a public holiday in Ethiopia
Ethiopia celebrates the Victory of Adowa, also known as Battle of Adwa (Adowa or Adua in Italian), every 1st of March every year. The Battle of Adowa that sparked between Ethiopia and Italy on March 1, 1896.
The Victory of Adwa marks this event as a celebration for national unity and progress and sends a real message to the European countries that not all African countries are “for the taking” by ambitious European countries.
History of Ethiopia Victory of Adowa
The turn of the 19th century is marked by African countries under the colonial jurisdiction of most European countries such as Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Britain. Italy used this chance to invade the then independent nations such as Liberia and Ethiopia under the Berlin Conference which took place between 1884 and 1885.
Germany and Italy were among the European countries which fail to increase its influence and power over African countries whereas France and Spain took over the most part of Africa during the latter part of 19th century. Italy and Germany struggled to take ownership of land in Africa for economic gain and for imperial expansion.
At that time, Ethiopia is ruled by Emperor Menelik II. Since Menelik’s stint in 1889 Ethiopia rose to power and became a self-sustaining country. He united the local leaders and built an army that would then surpass the more than 17,000 to 20,000 troops sent by Italy to conquer Ethiopia.
Italy had once thought that Ethiopia will be easy to conquer as evidenced by the easy defeat of Emperor Téwodros II (1818–April 13, 1868) by the British. Italy predicted that Ethiopia would be easy to be defeated because of its divided people; little did they know that Ethiopia had once recovered from that condition after Emperor Menelik II’s became the ruling leader of the country.
Italians did little or no intelligence at all, as to the military capability of the Ethiopians before they launched attack against Ethiopia’s leadership. What made things worse is that Italy was intoxicated with the notion that European military forces are superior to the rest of the world. But Ethiopia has since recovered and made advances in military intelligence, improved its military armament and added sophisticated weapons under Menelik II’s post. Menelik has improved both the economic condition of Ethiopia and improved its tax base and positioned its country way better than any other volatile African nations. The utter lack of preparation and intelligence among Italians led to their early defeat.
Right before Italy launched its attack against Ethiopia, Emperor Menelik II already mobilized his armies with the help of other monarchies in Ethiopia. He sent more than 100,000 highly trained armies at strategic locations in the country specifically around Were Illu, Addis Ababa, Mekele , and Ashenge. The empress who commanded more than 6,000 men at that time also mobilized her troops, assemble, and join other troops collected all throughout Ethiopia.
Governor Generals from different regions of the country such as Ras Makonnen, Ras Bitwoded, Dejazmatch Tesema, Ras Welde Giorgis, Mengesha Atakim, and troops of regional princesses in Ethiopia, among others have around 5,000 to as much as 12,000 troops to deploy and this has added to the already formidable army Ethiopia have before the onset of Battle of Adwa. The combined resistance fleet of Emperor Menelik II of more than 100,000 helped Ethiopia build a powerful human defense system the world has ever seen.
The Italians initially subdued the Ras Mengesha of Tigré and sought to advance inland. The failing of Italians probably was its quick underestimation to Menelik’s military genius and Ethiopia’s rich military history. In the end, Italians were overwhelmed by combined troops from Ethiopia’s combined resistance and unique military intelligence and attack. The Italians however remained in Eritrea for many years. It launched another attack during Italy’s Fascist era but they were later drove away after the Second World War by the British.
Ethiopia Victory of Adowa: Traditions, Customs and Activities
Ethiopia celebrates the victory of Adwa by visiting monuments and cemeteries to honor those who perished in the Battle of Adwa. Government officials usually conduct public ceremonies and put wreath especially under the monument of Emperor Menelik II at Menelik Square. Public officials would usually delivery speeches encouraging the public to enliven the values of Ethiopian and learn from the patriotism of the heroes of Adwa who bravely resisted colonial rule. Since this is a national holiday, most Ethiopians usually stay at home, while some visit at park or attend cultural events.
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