Many Ethiopians hold a special place in their hearts for the Adwa Celebration. Notwithstanding differences of opinion on various political matters, the celebration of Ethiopia’s victory over Italian forces at the Battle of Adwa brings many Ethiopians together. Of course, who is the national hero behind this victory remains a point of contention, frequently culminating in a disagreement about where it should be celebrated. Regardless of how this year’s celebration was overshadowed by unexpected use of force by law enforcement officers, many people sought to make it as colorful as possible. The Reporter’s Rebeccca Tewodros spoke with people who were part of this year’s celebration at Menelik Square.
Milkias Hailu (Deacon)
The Reporter: What is the significance of the celebration of Adwa for you?
Milkias Hailu: Adwa is who I am. It is something I am proud of. Knowing and appreciating the contributions made by my ancestors, it is a wonderful holiday where I can honor their bravery.
What do you love about the holiday and the celebrations?
What I love is the way every one of our forefathers came together from all over the country, and people like Ras Alula Aba Nega, Ras Michael, and all the brave Ethiopian veterans came together from Kembata, Hadiya, and from the south after hearing the word of their king Atse Menelik II. The things they did at the time—walking barefoot for four to five months all the way to Adwa and fighting against Italians who are better equipped with better and more modern weapons—is something that is unimaginable in this day and age. Our coming together is the reason we won, and that makes me so happy.
I could hear that story a million times, and I would never get tired of it. I could go anywhere in the world, and when I say the term “I am Ethiopian”, the pride that I have because of Adwa isn’t something simple. The reason I can walk with that much pride is because of the sacrifices made by my forefathers, and that makes me very happy.
What do you think is the main reason we were able to defeat the Italians in the battle of Adwa?
There are a lot of ways we can look at this, but in my opinion, the main reason is their belief. They carried the ‘tabot’ of Kidus Giorgis, which goes to show their deep-rooted belief and how spiritually strong they were. Menelik II believed that God would help them, and that was one of the reasons we won against Italy. Their belief and faith were what led them to this great success in the war.
Who are the national heroes you associate with the battle of Adwa?
There were so many heroes whose names and stories weren’t written, and a lot of heroes have passed away with the things they did for the Battle of Adwa forgotten as a back story. There are heroes from the south like Kawo Tona, the heroes from Halaba, the forgotten heroes from Hossana, and people from Tigray including Ras Alula, Ras Michael, and Ras Teklehaimanot.
All of these forefathers were heroes, and it wasn’t just the work of one person, and it wasn’t a victory that came from one part of the country or one ethnicity. Even though it was coordinated by Emeye Menelik II, there were many heroes involved. There were also the heroic acts of the mothers, including Etege Taitu, who prepared meals and were the strength for the men who were fighting the war. They showed us that fighting in a war doesn’t only involve holding a weapon or firing bullets.
There were also musicians that supported the warriors, sang in honor of the Tabot that they carried, and many more heroic people that played a role in the success of Adwa.
As a country, we take great pride in the success we had in not being colonized by the Italian army and their defeat at the Battle of Adwa. Why do you think that we haven’t been able to defeat our current issues and problems at the same level?
The main reason, I believe, is the political administration. I think the people who should be questioned are the ones in politics. If they wanted to work or do something, they are capable of doing it. If they don’t want it done, however, and if they want the current situation to continue, then that is up to them as well.
If they want the people to come together and create a community with the mentality of sacrificing themselves for the sake of their country, the people in the political administration have to play a great role. They have not worked before, and they aren’t working to do that now either. The things that are being done are belittling the names of our forefathers, ruining the history of what happened, and shifting things to one ethnicity. These things are very discouraging. If our ancestors were to witness this, they would be so disappointed.
You can’t forget the past to move forward. We have to strengthen what we have, know our history, and understand the pure Ethiopian nature instead of the one that has been poisoned. If we do that, I believe that there can be success.
Senayt Fisseha
The Reporter: What is the significance of the celebration of Adwa for you?
Senayt Fisseha: The Adwa holiday is the day that I get to celebrate the day that my father broke his bones and spilled his blood, and, since my father has now passed, I celebrate the holiday with him in mind. I am very disappointed, however, because I wasn’t able to celebrate Adwa the way it should have been celebrated. I’m glad that it has ended peacefully, but we didn’t celebrate the holiday appropriately.
What do you love about the holiday and the celebrations?
During the Adwa celebrations, there are many people, including the youth, who walk barefoot while chanting, and it used to be celebrated while reliving and retelling the stories that our forefathers went through during the battle of Adwa. To me, that is such a beautiful thing to witness.
What do you think is the main reason we were able to defeat the Italians in the battle of Adwa?
We didn’t want to have our country crossed. Our forefathers didn’t want to give them access to our country that easily, and they wanted to make sure the integrity of our country was strong. They sacrificed themselves to protect this country, and they protected and fought for our country together.
Who are the national heroes you associate with the battle of Adwa?
There are Etege Taitu, Abdisa Aga, and people like them that I relate to the battle of Adwa.
As a country, we take great pride in the success we had in not being colonized by the Italian army and their defeat at the Battle of Adwa. Why do you think that we haven’t been able to defeat our current issues and problems at the same level?
I think it’s because we aren’t together as Ethiopians. We have been divided into ethnic groups, and we don’t stand together as one country. Our division and the fact that we don’t work together are the main reasons behind our inability to resolve our issues.
Blen Girma and Edelawit Girma
The Reporter: What is the significance of the celebration of Adwa for you?
Blen Girma: Adwa is the celebration of the day our forefathers defeated Italy to avoid colonization. We came here all the way from Kera to celebrate this victory along with the holiday of St. Giorgis. The pride I feel in celebrating the holiday is something I can’t put into words.
What do you love about the holiday and the celebrations?
The fact that we get to honor and celebrate the victory of our forefathers.
What do you think is the main reason we were able to defeat the Italians in the battle of Adwa?
I believe it’s because of our religion. St. Giorgis helped us that day, and I think that because the soldiers went out carrying their faith proudly, they were able to defeat the Italians. The faith we had back then was really strong, and I think that played a great role in our victory.
Who are the national heroes you associate with the battle of Adwa?
For me, it’s Emperor Menelik II and his wife, Etege Taytu.
As a country, we take great pride in the success we had in not being colonized by the Italian army and their defeat at the Battle of Adwa. Why do you think that we haven’t been able to defeat our current issues and problems at the same level?
Well, if all the religions had harmony and unity, we would be able to withstand and escape our current situation. But we are more than ever divided by ethnicity, and that’s what’s keeping us from our unity, and we will keep being divided unless the discrimination goes away. Our unity and togetherness are what are missing.
Emebet Haile
The Reporter: What is the significance of the celebration of Adwa for you?
Emebet Haile: I came all the way from Ferensay Legasion to celebrate the 127th anniversary of Adwa. Sadly, today’s celebration was so disappointing when compared to the previous Adwa celebrations. Adwa is for the people. Adwa ties us together and brings about the idea of unity. With all the negative things happening around us, Adwa is the thing that can teach us about unity. This hasn’t been done today, however.
When I came here today dressed in my Adwa attire, the outfit I was wearing was not wanted, and we were not allowed, which was wrong. Adwa should have been celebrated with the attire our forefathers wore while going to war. Another thing is that after we arrived, we weren’t able to celebrate around the Menelik II statue like in the past, even though the people were celebrating peacefully. The police were separating us during the celebration, and we weren’t able to celebrate in unity, and even then, they released tear gas to disperse the crowd.
I was very disappointed in this year’s Adwa celebration.
What do you love about the holiday and the celebrations?
I loved that we celebrate the bravery of Taitu. We get to celebrate Emeye Menelik II, a feminine name given to them willingly because of the love that people had for him. There are also a lot of other people we get to celebrate. They are people who decided to leave their differences behind to save their country, and to be able to honor that is amazing.
What do you think is the main reason we were able to defeat the Italians in the battle of Adwa?
Back then, what helped us get the victory was our unity, our togetherness. If we were separated, then we would have lost the battle. It’s like I said, our forefathers were able to settle their differences and come together against a common enemy. Adwa is something I saw unity in, and we can continue to use it as an example of unity.
Who are the national heroes you associate with the battle of Adwa?
There are obviously Atse Menelik II and Etege Taitu. There are also Fitawrari Habtegiyorgis Dinegde, Alula Aba Nega, and many more who were behind the success of Adwa.
As a country, we take great pride in the success we had in not being colonized by the Italian army and their defeat at the Battle of Adwa. Why do you think that we haven’t been able to defeat our current issues and problems at the same level?
Our ethnic differences have now divided us. That’s the one reason that makes us lose. The reason we were able to be victorious was our unity, and we don’t have that right now. Adwa was supposed to be the thing that brings us together, and it should have taught us about unity. Now, I don’t even know who is fighting against who.
There is so much separation, so how can we be able to conquer our problems?
Mintesinot Kassa
The Reporter: What is the significance of the celebration of Adwa for you?
Mintesinot Kassa: The Adwa celebration makes me realize how our forefathers fought for a great country. I feel like I am at Adwa. Everyone came out here without prejudice against race or religion, and I think we all should celebrate it like that with the support of the government. But the government thinks there are people with an agenda to disrupt the celebrations, and all you see here are patriots trying to celebrate this holiday. This holiday in general depicts how brave we are!
What do you love about the holiday and the celebrations?
There is nothing I don’t like about the celebration. It makes me love the heroes of this day more. It makes me love and respect Menelik II more. I’m not saying there aren’t others in rank who haven’t done more than him; nonetheless, Adwa is the reflection of black people and their history.
What do you think is the main reason we were able to defeat the Italians in the battle of Adwa?
Our unity and the fact that we stood up for our nation wholeheartedly. We didn’t say Oromo, Amhara, or Tigray, and we stood united, which is why we are celebrating it today.
Who are the national heroes you associate with the battle of Adwa?
I’m sorry to say this, but no one at this time compares to the victory shown during the Battle of Adwa. But if it relates to Adwa, it’s Menelik II, and no one can compare. True patriots are people who envision the best for this country.
As a country, we take great pride in the success we had in not being colonized by the Italian army and their defeat at the Battle of Adwa. Why do you think that we haven’t been able to defeat our current issues and problems at the same level?
I think we are being colonized without our knowledge. I used to think the Italians didn’t like our celebration, but I have reason to believe our government doesn’t either. If we don’t celebrate Adwa, it feels like Italy is colonizing us. I think people lack empathy nowadays. The reason there are so many issues is that people do not think what happened to their neighbor might happen to them next.
