In the Hewett Treaty, concluded in 1884, the United Kingdom recognized Bogos and Massawa as possessions of Ethiopia in return for Ras Alula’s help evacuating the Egyptian garrisons of Amedeb, Algeden, Keren, Ghirra, and Gallabat which had been isolated by the Mahdists, and because of these successes the British once more asked for his help against the Mahdists under Osman Digna. On 9 October 1876, the Emperor made Alula governor of Mereb Mellash and Midri Bahri (today part of Eritrea). Emperor Yohannes badly needed a man with these skills at the moment, for Ras Woldemichael Solomon was in revolt in Hamasien Alula was promoted to Ras and sent to deal with this unruly aristocrat, who fled to Bogos. His second marriage was purely for political reasons, to improve his legitimacy with the local aristocracy, who did not hide their disapproval at seeing the son of a peasant reach this stature.Īlula demonstrated his military skill in the Battle of Gundet and Gura, which were fought in November 1875 and March 1876 respectively, where he routed the Egyptian forces. However, in order to enhance his position at the Imperial court, he divorced his wife and married Woizero Amlesu Araya, daughter of Ras Araya Dimtsu, the powerful and much respected uncle of Emperor Yohannes IV. He had three children by his first wife Woizero B’tweta. In spite of his humble background, Alula succeeded in climbing the ladder of the feudal hierarchy. Erlich records an oral tradition that the young Alula distinguished himself by being the one who captured king Tekle Giyorgis in the battle of Assem where Emperor Yohannes crushed his opponent (11 July 1871). The house of Ras Alula at Asmara, in present-day EritreaĪt first Alula attached himself to the distinguished Ras Araya Dimtsu, hereditary chief of Enderta who was lord of the land his father farmed before long he gained the attention of Ras Araya’s successful nephew, Dejazmach Kassa Mercha (the future emperor Yohannes IV), who made him his elfegn kalkay (“chamberlain and doorkeeper”). “Thereafter,” concludes Erlich, “his friends and the people of Mannawe nicknamed him Ras Alula. “To the Castle of Ras Alula Wadi Qubi,” they mockingly replied. Haggai Erlich relates a story about Alula’s childhood – “well known throughout Tigray”: a group of people carrying baskets of bread to a wedding ceremony were stopped by a group of children led by the future Ras, who demanded to know where they were going. Ras Alula's legacy as a brilliant military leader places him with the greatest of African generals, second only to Hannibal.Alula was born in Mennewe, a village in Tembien,the son of Engda Eqube, a farmer of modest origins. Under Alula's leadership, Ethiopia expelled the invader and secured her status as the only nation in Africa to remain completely sovereign and autonomous from European rule. Ras Alula's greatest moment came at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, where the Ethiopians, who were the most united in defense of their country against a common enemy as had ever been the case in their history, defeated Italian forces intent on subjugating Ethiopia into their empire. His army scored impressive victories at Kufit, Dogali, and Gallabat as Ethiopia fought to remain independent of European colonial powers. In time he was promoted to the rank of general, given the title of Ras ("head"), and commissioned with ensuring Ethiopian sovereignty in the Horn of Africa by warding off encroaching Mahdist, Italian, and Anglo-Egyptian armies as the European "Scramble for Africa" got underway.ĭespite many aristocrats' resentment at the young Alula's favor with the emperor, the new general proved his worth. Alula climbed the ranks of the feudal hierarchy and gained favor with the Emperor Yohannes with his magnanimous personality. These people were simply going to a wedding ceremony, but they replied, "We're going to the castle of Ras Alula," poking fun at the ambitious youngster.įrom that day forward, he was known as Ras Alula, and soon he proved worthy of that nickname. He barred their way and demanded to know where they were going. Image credit: Ras Alula Abba NegaĪlula Abba Nega, born to peasant parents in the northern region of Tigray, rose to become one of Ethiopia's most renowned generals and politicians and a great national hero.Īs a child, Alula showed his promise in this anecdote: one day, Alula and his group of friends came across a group of people on the road.
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