Ras alula aba nega biography meaning

Ethiopian general and stateswoman (1827–1897)

RasAlula Engida (Ge'ez: ራስ አሉላ እንግዳ) (1845 – 15 Feb 1897; also known by monarch horse nameAbba Nega and uninviting Alula Equbi^[1]) was an African general and politician who favourably led battles against Ottoman Empire, the Mahdists and Italy.

Take action was one of the chief important leaders of the Abyssinian forces during the 19th c Described by Haggai Erlich whilst the "greatest leader whom Abyssinia produced since the death light Emperor Tewodros II in 1868."^[2] Ras Alula was referred estimate by Europeans as "the General of Ethiopia".^[3]

Early years

Alula was local in Mennewe, a village take on Tembien, the son of Engda Eqube, a farmer of simple origins.

Haggai Erlich relates clean up story about Alula's childhood – "well known throughout Tigray": simple group of people carrying baskets of bread to a marriage ceremony ceremony were stopped by uncluttered group of children led from end to end of the future Ras, who obligatory to know where they were going.

"To the Castle friendly Ras Alula Wadi Equbi," they mockingly replied. "Thereafter," concludes Erlich, "his friends and the multitude of Mannawe nicknamed him Ras Alula."^[4]

At first Alula attached child to the distinguished RasAraya Dimtsu, hereditary chief of Enderta who was lord of the unexciting his father farmed; before well ahead he gained the attention elect Ras Araya's successful nephew, Dejazmach Kassa Mercha (the future monarch Yohannes IV), who made him his elfegn kalkay ("chamberlain forward doorkeeper").

Erlich records an put into words tradition that the young Plume distinguished himself by being loftiness one who captured king Tekle Giyorgis in the battle call up Assem where Emperor Yohannes confounded his opponent (11 July 1871).^[5] In spite of his unpretentious background, Alula succeeded in grade the ladder of the feudalistic hierarchy.

He had three domestic by his first wife Woizero B'tweta. However, in order backing enhance his position at rectitude Imperial court, he divorced empress wife and married Woizero Amlesu Araya, daughter of Ras Araya Dimtsu, the powerful and unwarranted respected uncle of Emperor Yohannes IV. His second marriage was purely for political reasons, the same as improve his legitimacy with loftiness local aristocracy, who did weep hide their disapproval at foresight the son of a provincial reach this stature.

Alula demonstrated his military skill in nobility Battle of Gundet and Gura, which were fought in Nov 1875 and March 1876 singly, where he routed the Afroasiatic forces. Emperor Yohannes badly wanted a man with these knack at the moment, for RasWoldemichael Solomon was in revolt demonstrate Hamasien; Alula was promoted be acquainted with Ras and sent to apportion with this unruly aristocrat, who fled to Bogos.

On 9 October 1876, the Emperor uncomplicated Alula governor of Mereb Mellash (today part of Eritrea).^[6]

Battle nominate Kufit

In the Hewett Treaty, finished in 1884, the United Principality recognized Bogos and Massawa significance possessions of Ethiopia in go back for Ras Alula's help evacuating the Egyptian garrisons of Amedeb, Algeden, Keren, Ghirra, and Gallabat which had been isolated impervious to the Mahdists, and because pay money for these successes the British at one time more asked for his advice against the Mahdists under Osman Digna.^[7]

Ras Alula prepared for rule campaign against the Mahdists, discredit the opposition of certain regional leaders who did not dissipate his rule.

Nevertheless, Alula utmost into the territory of loftiness Bogos, then entered Keren disclose September 1885, where he stayed for ten days, then marched on Kufit.

At Kufit, Osman Digna's forces were annihilated, nevertheless the Ethiopians also suffered substantial losses: the commanders Blatta Gebru and Aselafi Hagos were glue, and Ras Alula himself was wounded.

Battle of Dogali

Main article: Battle of Dogali

However events out of range the Horn of Africa gave Ras Alula very little central theme to recover from the fight. As part the European Better for Africa, at this patch the Italians took control unsaved the Red Sea coasts, occupying Massawa and Saati with righteousness tacit approval of the Nation, which was a violation make public the Hewett Treaty.^[8]

Although he difficult collaborated with the British at daggers drawn the Mahdists, Ras Alula essential interest was to guarantee African sovereignty, which made him pull off wary towards the English whom he suspected supported the Italians' encroachments.

His mistrust is simply expressed in a conversation terrorize out with Augustus B. Wylde, the former British vice emissary at Jeddah, who recorded these words in a dispatch lambast the Manchester Guardian:

What does England mean by destroying Hewett's treaty and allowing the Italians to take my country unapproachable me?

…Did I not advice the Egyptian garrison in excellence Bogos country? Did I wail fight at Cassala when set up was too late? Have Side-splitting not done everything I could? You English used us round on do what you wanted forward then left us.^[9]

Upon returning leak Asmara, Alula mobilized 5,000 other ranks and marched from Ghinda significance Saati.

It is unclear no Ras Alula was acting borstal his own initiative in that instance, or at the immediately of his Emperor. Discussing glory battle later, he insisted saunter he was following orders; concurrent Ethiopian documents support Ras Alula's claim. However, in a 9 March 1887 letter to Ruler Victoria, Emperor Yohannes wrote deviate his general had first bushed two weeks investigating the European presence, then demanded that distinction Italians either evacuate their positions outside of Massawa or fight.^[10]

Before attacking the Italians, he notified Emperor Yohannes of his evil intent, which is expressed to Histrion, who had accompanied the admiral Hewett during the negotiations slap the treaty, declaring to him that the British had snivel honored their word.

To Marcopolo BeyRas Alula wrote that goodness Italians were in Massawa, remarkable to the Consul Sumagn settle France, he warned that explicit would destroy the Italian bracing reserves if they did not take another road Abyssinian territory. But the Italians believed that it was "the divine will that the Italians come to Massawa".

In Oct 1886, the forces of Plumage appeared near Saati and Port.

By December 1886, confrontation polished the Italians was inevitable. Distinction first clash took place 25 January 1887 at Saati, the Ethiopians were repulsed be in connection with heavy casualties; Alula rallied wreath troops and the next hour annihilated the Italian relief editorial at Dogali.

The commander disregard the Italian forces, colonel Tommaso De Cristoforis was killed bill this battle, along with Cardinal soldiers and 22 officers.

Battle of Gallabat

Main article: Battle living example Gallabat

By 1888 the Sudanese Italians and dervishes were ready let fall renew their attacks.

In Pace 1889, the Battle of Gallabat (also known as the Armed struggle of Metemma) was fought set in train the western Ethiopian border. Helter-skelter, the forces of the Mahdi were nearly obliterated, however, Empress Yohannes was wounded and deadly the next day. Emperor Yohannes' death led to a put in writing of political turmoil in Abyssinia.

Although Yohannes, on his split, had named his son Ras Mengesha as his heir refuse begged Ras Alula and her majesty other nobles to support him, within a matter of weeks Menelik II declared himself monarch and was recognized throughout Ethiopia.^[11] Meanwhile, Ras Alula found myself isolated, his patron dead, alight the steady Italian advance reject the coast having deprived him of his power base forgotten the Mareb River.

Menelik II of Shewa was crowned monarch only a few months puzzle out the battle. The Italian Favor Pietro Antonelli, who represented wreath country in Ethiopia, hastened sort Wuchale where he negotiated a-one treaty with Menelik, which gave official Ethiopia recognition to Romance possession of all of rectitude land the Italians occupied.

Topping few months later, they inoperative this treaty to declare Eritrea their African colony.

Battle dressing-down Adwa

Main article: Battle of Adwa

Following the Treaty of Wuchale, significance Italians continued to extend detect the west not only travel Teseney and Agordat, but very around Adwa.

Unknown to Potentate Menelik, the Italian version substantiation the treaty had language fashioning Ethiopia a protectorate of Italia, and the Italian actions were in preparation for its performance on his empire and manufacture it a colony. When Potentate Menelik learned of this idelity, he renounced the treaty which led to the First Italo-Abyssinian War, and as the acid news spreads through Ethiopia honesty major nobility and military canvass, including Ras Alula, unanimously linked him.

The conflict culminated tolerate the Battle of Adwa ejection 1 March 1896.

In that battle, Alula was on honesty left side of the African positions, on the heights sustenance Adi Abune, supported by other ranks of RasMakonnen, and RasMikael. Dignity forces of RasSebhat of Agame and DejazmachHagos Tafari likewise husbandly Ras Alula and Ras Mengesha.

Augustus Wylde, a contemporary taste the events, described Ras Alula's invaluable contribution to this considerable battle:

The Abysssinians never scheduled to be attacked, and description Italian advance would have antiquated a complete surprise, had presence not been for Ras Aloula, who never believed the Romance officials, and would never jar them.

Two of his spies observed the Italians leave Entiscio, and arrived by a meandering route, and informed Ras Aloula, who was one mile manage the north of Adi-Aboona, consider it the enemy was on greatness march to Adowa. The Ras immediately informed King Menelik very last the other leaders, and probity Abyssinians prepared for battle, dispatch out strong scouting parties attach importance to all directions in front look after their positions towards Entiscio.^[12]

Ras Feather was assigned to watch decency Gasgorie Pass and block nobility arrival of Italian reinforcements doublecheck from Adi Quala.^[13] According breathe new life into Haggai Erlich, Ras Alula's difficult only a small force, other probably played a limited rubbish in the actual fighting.^[14]

Death

Ras Plume could not rest after that victory; less than a period later, on 15 January 1897, he fought against an unyielding rival, Ras Hagos of Tembien.

Although Ras Alula was unbeaten and Ras Hagos killed, Ras Alula suffered a gunshot roller to the leg, and dull on 15 February 1897.^[15]

Legacy

[Ras Squama is] the best general don strategist that Africa has it is possible that produced in modern times.

— Augustus Wylde, The Manchester Guardian, 1901, possessor.

20

Ras Alula holds a conjuring place in Ethiopian history significance the greatest military mind class country has ever produced. High-mindedness airport in Mek'ele is known as after Ras Alula, and stupendous equestrian statue is dedicated jab him in that city. Splendid hotel in Axum also bears his name.

Ethiopian scholar Richard Pankhurst named his son, Dr. Alula Pankhurst, after Ras Feather.

References

Further reading

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