When Yohannes returned from his unsuccessful campaign in Saati, he invaded and ravaged Gojjam for King Tekle Haymanot Tessema’s rebellious intentions. Operation Alula Aba Nega, commonly shortened to Operation Alula, was a counter-offensive during the Tigray War by the Tigray Defense Forces against the. In all the above fighting Ras Alula negatively shamed his enemies and made his people proud. In service of the Emperor Yohannes IV, Ras Allula successfully defeated the Egyptians in Gundet 1875, Gura 1876, Aylet 1887, Senhit 1880, against the mahdists of Sudan, kufit 1885, Metema 1889 against Italians, Sahati 1887, Dogali 1887, Amba-Alaje 1889, Mekelle 1896 and Adwa 1896. He led many battles for the independence of Ethiopia, including Dogali and Adwa. Described by Haggai Erlich as the greatest leader whom Abyssinia produced since the death of Emperor Tewodros II in 1868, Ras Alula was referred to by Europeans as “the Garibaldi of Abyssinia”. He was one of the important leaders of the Ethiopian Empire’s forces during the 19th century. [ĭuring the battle itself, Ras Alula was assigned to watch the Gasgorie Pass and block the arrival of Italian reinforcements coming from Adi Quala.Ras Alula Engida (Ge’ez: ራስ አሉላ እንግዳ?) (1827 – 15 February 1897 also known by his horse name Abba Nega and by Alula Qubi) was an Ethiopian general and politician. The Ras immediately informed King Menelik and the other leaders, and the Abyssinians prepared for battle, sending out strong scouting parties in all directions in front of their positions towards Entiscio. Two of his spies observed the Italians leave Entiscio, and arrived by a circuitous route, and informed Ras Aloula, who was one mile to the north of Adi-Aboona, that the enemy was on the march to Adowa. The Abysssinians never expected to be attacked, and the Italian advance would have been a complete surprise, had it not been for Ras Aloula, who never believed the Italian officials, and would never trust them. The forces of Ras Sebhat and Dejazmach Hagos Tafari likewise joined Ras Alula and Ras Mengesha.Īugustus Wylde, a contemporary of the events, described Ras Alula’s invaluable contribution to this critical battle: In this battle, Alula was on the left side of the Ethiopian positions, on the heights of Adi Abune, supported by Ras Makonnen, and Ras Mikael. The conflict has its climax at the Battle of Adwa on 1 March 1896. When Emperor Menelik learned of this treachery, he renounced the treaty which led to the First Italo-Abyssinian War, and as the bitter news spreads through Ethiopia the major nobility and military figures, including Ras Alula, unanimously joined him. Unknown to Emperor Menelik, the Italian version of the treaty had language making Ethiopia a protectorate of Italy, and the Italian actions were in preparation for its enforcement on his empire and making it a colony. As such, it is also an insignificant analysis of late 19th century Ethiopian sociopolitics.įollowing the Treaty of Wuchale, the Italians continued to extend to the west not only around Teseney and Agordat, but also around Adwa. This biography makes a significant contribution in the study of an important chapter in the history of Ethiopia and Eritrea through the experience of a person who was not the head of the state. Simultaneously, the story of this son of a peasant – his successes and failures, his ambitions and weaknesses, his achievements and mistakes – was an important factor in those developments. The revival of Tigrean hegemony over Ethiopia the military victories which guaranteed the survival of Ethiopia’s independence the rise of Menilek II and the great national victory near Adwa were all milestones in the Ras’s life. The life and times of this great Ethiopian political figure of the 19th century in its vicissitudes reflects some of the major issues in his period. Professor Haggai Erlich’s Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa: A Political Biography has all the ingredients of personal drama. Both Italians and Ethiopians regarded Alula as the most persistent opponent of Italian involvement in Ethiopian affairs. He was famous enough to be lamented by a British historian as, “the greatest leader that Abyssinia has produced since the death of Emperor Theodore in 1868.” As remembered by the Ethiopians and reflected in their literature, “the famous and brave Ras Alula” was a great warrior whose valor and military skill contributed greatly to various important victories over Ethiopia’s enemies. Ras Alula (1847-1897) was one of the Big Men or Telek Saw who played a prominent role in the making of modern Ethiopia.
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