Ethiopia is a land of heroes. Throughout the ages, its heroes, who have never compromised the sovereignty and borders of their country, have sacrificed their lives for their country, have shed their blood and they have handed it over to the next generation.
One of the manifestations of Ethiopian heroism is Adwa. Adwa is a magnificent story of bravery that shows that Ethiopia is a country of heroes and inspiration for the black people. The victory of Adwa is the seal of Ethiopian national honor, the torch of the freedom struggle of the black people. The natural dignity and human dignity of the whole world have been restored; the attack on justice and existence has been truly defeated in Adwa, which is the great victory of the black people.
On February 23, 1888, a huge Ethiopian army, organized in a magnificent manner, accomplished the unthinkable. It defeated the invading Italian force by striking a blow.
The Ethiopian army of peasants , which had marched from one hundred to one hundred and twenty thousand kilometers on foot, including twenty-nine thousand cavalrymen, defeated the European invading army trained in military academies at eleven o'clock in a single morning of February and defeated it at four o'clock in the morning.
The Ethiopian peasant army, mounted on horseback, thrusting its shields into the ground and throwing its spears into the air, fought with a fierce and determined spirit. Within five hours of the battle, all fifty-six Italian guns were completely captured. General Albertoni, the general who led the colonial invasion army, was captured, while the commander-in-chief of the army, General Baratti, fled with a few of his followers and the defeated Italian soldiers.
In this mixed battle, in addition to the fifty-six Italian artillery pieces, several thousand light and heavy machine guns and machine guns were captured, along with tens and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition. In total, the haul was transported to Addis Ababa in five hundred wagons. The Great Victory of the Black People, the victory of Adwa brought about major and fundamental changes in world politics.
There were 12 war generals who were at the forefront of this struggle for freedom, justice and equality. The first one wasFitawurari Gbeyehu , or his heroic name is ‘Aba Goraw’. This man is a warrior and fighter who fought for the freedom of his country since the Battle of Ambalage, which preceded the Battle of Adwa,and fell for his beloved country in battle with the enemy on the last day of the war.
Another hero of Adwa is the Prince Ras Mekonnen Woldemikhael Gudisa. His heroic name is ‘Aba Qaengew’. This hero, from the Battle of Ambelage to the Battle of Adwa, led cavalry and infantry, and fought for the sovereignty of his country. In addition, this man made great diplomatic efforts to ensure that the issue was resolved peacefully when the Italian invader broke the treaty of ‘Wchelle’ and invaded Ethiopia. Although the war was inevitable, he fought bravely and saved his country from the invader.
The third war general was King Teklehaimanot Tessema Goshu. He was nick named Aba Tena for his unparalleled bravery. King Teklehaimanot participated in various battles before the Battle of Adwa. In the Battle of Adwa, he led cavalry and infantry, fought bravely and defeated the enemy, and later fell for the freedom of his country.
Then came King Michael Ali Liben. His heroic name is also called Aba Shanko. This man is also an Ethiopian hero who led infantry and cavalry in various battles, including the Battle of Adwa, the Battle of Mekelle, and the Battle of Ambalage, and paid a high price for his country.
Dejazmach Balcha Safo Roba,foundly named ‘Aba Nefso’, was also in the treasury of King Menelik. This hero also led infantry and cavalry in the Battle of Mekelle and Adwa, and fought bravely for his country.
Ras Wele Btul Hailemariam was also among the twelve heroes of Adwa . This man, who is known for his bravery or his horse name Aba Tsakaw, is said to have been a heroic warrior. Like other Ethiopian heroes, he marched and marched his army from Ambalage to Adwa, paying a great price for the sovereignty and freedom of his country and people. Ras Wele was the brother of Empress Taitu, and he led the Deje army from Debre Tabor and first marched on the Ambalage front.
Habte Giorgis Dingde Hundul. Known widely for his military wisdom . This man, is a hero who bravely took his place on the battlefield and led the army to victory. He fought on horseback and on foot and died for the freedom of the country.
He is one of the most beloved Ethiopian heroes of all times. He led a large army and fought a significant battle at the Battle of Adwa. This man is also known as Habte Aba Mela because of his wisdom.’Aba Mela’ made a great contribution to stabilizing the country by preventing power struggles after the death of Emperor Menelik.
Ras Alula Engida Qubi is another hero of this story. He is known for his bravery and is known as Aba Nega. This man, who is known for his intelligence, especially for his understanding of the Italian army's formation, was a man who made a significant contribution to the Ethiopian army's defense and inflicting heavy losses on the invading Italian army. He fought and fought and was a military leader who made great achievements on the battlefield.
Another hero is Ras Mengesha Yohannes. His bravery and name is Aba Getem. This man participated in the battles that preceded Adwa. He was a man who made great history, especially on the Hunat and Senaf fronts. He was a hero who participated in the Battle of Adwa and died as a leader and paid a great price for his country.
Wakshu Gwangul Buru Gebremedhin is one of the military leaders who have painted history in bright colors. He is known for his bravery and is known as Aba Merabe. This hero fought in various battles. In addition, he was a military leader who contributed significantly to the victory of Adwa by capturing other enemy soldiers, including the leader of the invading Italian army, General Albertoni.
Ras Abate Buayalew, the king of Adwa, was another heroic military leader. He was known for his bravery as Aba Yitruf. This man, who had the title of a nobleman, was an Ethiopian hero who was known for his wisdom of artillery and fought in various battles.
Emperor Menelik reached Mekelle and divided his army into two camps, then camped around the Italian fortress. While the tent was being set up and the cargo was being unloaded, a mule broke loose and ran towards the Italian fort. When they saw a man running to retrieve it, the Italians opened fire with artillery.
The British newspapers wrote that after the victory of Adwa, world history was turned upside down and a great generational force was awakened in Africa … In the absence and absence of Emperor Menelik II, who is said to have created modern Ethiopia, the Freedom Struggle Leaders' Conference has been elected as the leader of the freedom struggle of the black peoples of Africa and the world.