The Overwhelming Spirit of Adwa

By Fitsum G.

March 2nd, 2005

However, there is another side to this story: the memory of Adwa sometimes tends to enrage us when we see it in today's perspective, in the way we are 'reduced' today, as a 'nation'. The plight in which our people find themselves, the yearly and ghastly Human Development Reports on our dire poverty/misery, the consequent lack of confidence in our own country and satisfy the urge to abandon it, often in despair. Hence, one may ask, what has the Victory of Adwa served us?! Does our country deserve the image it has now, depicted as a country in shambles, a country at the 'at the mercy of 'donors'?! What would Menelik say if he was alive today?

Although our forefathers were good enough to face and vanquish a formidable enemy (such as were considered Italy in the 1890s), managing to mobilize and harness all their human and material resources, reasserting their fierce indomitability against all forms of colonialism and 'protection', why are we today engulfed by a quantity of problems, apparently not more challenging? Our pressure goes even higher when we note that countries which were well below our level, countries that did not even exist in that epoch as 'entities', let alone independent, are now among today's leaders in a technologically advanced world! Countries that we, (through the Victory of Adwa), have inspired, are now developed nations and afford to grant us aid and relief assistance, urged by our continuous needs. That is when we cannot help being 'depressed or enraged', looking back with nostalgia at the glorious days of Adwa!

Some have reasserted that with the Victory of Adwa, Emperor Menelik could have evicted every invading Italian from the entire Horn of Africa, taking advantage of the momentum, (and efface the enemy!) and the current impasse with Eritrea would have never been 'created'. And we would now be 'one country' with all the imaginable advantages! The'thirty-year guerilla war' between Eritrean fighters and Ethiopian troops, the issue of Ethio-Eritrean crisis, the border conflict, the Algiers Peace, the demarcation, UNMEE etc. would have perhaps never needed to exist! The history of Ethiopia and Eritrea would have taken another shape, another development. If only all colonialist forces of Italy had been evicted out of, not only Ethiopian but also Eritrean territory, in 1896! Who knows the whole history of Ethiopia (and the sub-region) would have needed to be rewritten! That is why many would like to consider the Victory at Adwa in another perspective, as 'an unfinished or aborted masterpiece', as it were.

Talking with the benefit of hindsight is always a risky business, and except serving as a manner of reflection/speculation, it might serve little purpose. Menelik in fact might have been lured by such a thought, but various factors might have discouraged him. To start with, the defence of Eritrea by the colonizers was very strong. Italians had studied and strengthened their defences for an eventual major Menelik attack in their colonial backyard. Eritrea was 'Italy in miniature' and they would not have given up easily. Secondly, Menelik's troops were so exhausted after the battles that they would not have had the force to pursue the enemy down into 'Eritrean' soil. Provisions, ammunitions, logistics, men, time etc should be well considered. After all, Ethiopia was a tiny poor land despite the number and bravery of her volunteer fighters.

Nevertheless, a number of significant outcomes have characterized the Adwa event. The balance of forces in the region was redrawn, a new reality had come about. A new nation to be reckoned with had emerged. A new mentality had been forced concerning the myth that Europeans were invincible. It was done away with. The myth that Blacks/Africans could not fight or lacked prowess to face an army was discredited. The dignity and pride of Africans was restored. Adwa constituted a setback to the creators of 'The Scramble for Africa'. The psychological legacy of the victory later lived to inspire the yet-to-come forces of liberation in the African struggle for independence. Adwa hence can be considered as a landmark in the history of peoples' struggle for independency and integrity.

Thinking positively and proudly of Adwa is the least that any Ethiopian, (or even African for that matter), can do whenever the anniversary recurs on Yekatit 23rd , ( March 2nd G.C.). But what is disheartening is that we Ethiopians tend to recall the 'spirit of Adwa' only on the day we celebrate the recurrence, (and then forget it)! No doubts, the significance of the victory of Adwa has crossed over to other destinations, to other African beaches, to Europe and the Americas, the Caribbeans, inspiring all peoples of African descent in their struggle for freedom! It has contributed to a certain 'renaissance' of African sense of freedom and independence. In the Americas (where the Blacks were downtrodden under the perennial 'colour bar'), it ignited in them a fresh sense of identity and a vigorous spirit of rebellion after some confused soul searching. They did not have to merely imitate the white's culture or history. They could trace their own roots. Resistance to domination and oppression was conceived and enriched. Africans were not passive any more to withstand every 'paternal' act.

More significantly, today's celebrations should not refer to only the glories of Adwa victory, but also serve as a stimulus to emulate such spirit in tackling the reigning challenges: drought, famine, HIV/AIDS, ignorance, and backwardness as a whole. The so called Millennium Development Goals should find better ground of realization, better impetus, if such spirit aroused in people determination, perseverance, relentlessness, hope and a bright future. A dream!

Just as Adwa's Menelik, Emperors Tewodros and Yohannes had had their share of glories in repulsing invading armies, from overseas and neighbouring lands. They had given a first hand demonstration of the military capacity and valour of our peoples, the resolve of an entire population. Hence, Adwa was in a sense the culmination of such chain of battles and glories, at the international level, the zenith of trophy that resulted in the total repulsion of an invading alien army, the conclusive act of what Tewodros, Yohannes, Alula and others had begun.

In the aftermath of Adwa, Ethiopia was consecrated as a reality, an entity not to be dismissed. It got its place on the map of the world. Reports about the Victory, circulated widely and Menelik attracted attention. 'A Black Emperor has vanquished a European power!' the news went. Italy was humbled by this event and never slept until it prepared its vendetta for 1936 when Fascist Mussolini re-invaded Ethiopia. Today, the symbol of such invasion, the looted Axum Obelisk that decorated the Rome square for almost seventy years, is in the final stage of restitution. Today, Italy and Ethiopia enjoy the best of relations that could be cited as exemplary, irrespective of the past history, irrespective of the past enmities and clashes. What is more, Italy is now among the most active and biggest development partners of Ethiopians and neither Adwa, nor the hundred and one other issues on which the two found themselves in disagreement have constituted an unsurmountable block. Times have changed, and many marriages have taken place between Italians and Ethiopians.

The chroniclers of Adwa say 'all citizens' of the country, including women, all Ethiopians from all ethnic origins, and creeds, were mobilized by an inspired Menelik and his spouse Empress Taitu, to face the enemy. Preparations had taken months and the concerted efforts of every one was needed to overcome the challenge. The issue was 'to be or not to be'!

In today's Ethiopia, we have a number of 'to be or not to be' issues. We have reasonably imminent threats from beyond our borders (for which we cannot afford a deep slumber). Our very geo-strategic position (where the sources of the mighty Nile originate, where Africa meets the Arab/Asian world, the route to the Petroleum Empire, the Sudan and Somalia in continuous ferment), places us under a certain discomfort, if not 'anxiety'. The Nile waters issue is still hot on the agenda of the subregion. Sudan is a daily evolving, huge African reality, touching up on nine countries, and Somalia is a factor by the Red Sea, another nation at cross roads, and highly influential of events in Ethiopia. Ethiopia itself is in a sort of transition. Elections are due soon, and there is a general sensation that they might be more decisive than any of the other elections that took place up to now. Opposition groups seem determined to share power as much as the ruling coalition is determined to stick to it in monopoly. There is a general air of activism, specially in the political and diplomatic spheres. We see the preparations for the May Elections are igniting the passion of people, also thanks to the incumbent government, who with all its weaknesses and defects, has not totally closed the doors to discussion and exchange of views, if not change. At times, it shows its confidence in continuing on power, at others, it appears vulnerable and fragile. But it continues to rule the country any way.

In the meantime, the problems that have engulfed the country are too many to list here, nor propose solutions. What is proper to underline is that the spirit of Adwa should not be squandered, lost. Rather it should serve Ethiopians as a positive impulse to strive in achieving new goals, new targets. Democracy and the respect of human rights, both individually as collectively, is one challenge. The attainment and assurance of total peace and security is yet another. The efforts/endeavours aimed at the alleviation of sufferings and poverty is yet another one, and the greatest of all challenges is the one that pertains to HIV/AIDS and families disintegrated due to the ravages of this epidemic!.....Ethiopia can consider itself at crossroads. The mobilization of all its resources and manpower, the intelligent use of the same (and here comes into stage the leadership) could make a difference in the coming years, and for all this the spirit of Adwa could be inspirational, if not instrumental.

Pessimism should leave space for faith and commitment. Alarmism and scepticism should be replaced by conviction, resolve and hope. We need to envisage a bright future, with confidence. Ethiopia's past tradition and history should serve us as lessons in our pursuit of present day and future goals. Adwa can be one such important chapter. Let us live up to it, and those who have fallen in that battle shall not have done so in vain! Let us conclude by the lyrics of renowned Ethiopian Artist Gigi (Ejigayehu Shibabaw), dedicated to Adwa:

We celebrate Adwa today, as we did yesterday,
Those who fell for it, did not rise up yet,
Our pride today, is due to yesterday's sacrifice.
If you see me here, in front of you, standing upright, in pride and confidence,
It is thanks to those who paid their priceless lives,
fighting back invaders, fighting back aggressors.