Another Stolen Legacy: Ethiopian Victory of Adwa in the Eyes of Africans'

King Menelik II and Queen Taitu Btul

On this date in 1896, Ethiopia (led by King Menelik and Queen Taitu) defeated the Italian colonial army in the Battle of Adwa. This victory signaled the decline of European colonialism in Black Africa.

Today, here in Addis Ababa, we are celebrating the 120th anniversary of Adwa (The Battle of Adwa) - in commemorating our forefathers who definitively defeated Italian army in the Colonial Era and set us free from slavery. Saved our cultures, languages and heritages.

 In celebrating Adwa I have conducted a one minute interview with few African activists, young business peoples and vibrant volunteers 

around Africa about Adwa. In light of the vibrant participation of my target groups in African 

                integration and similar stuff: 

the result was quite shocking for me!

Until this moment, I have been waiting for the African Union news/press release in commemorating the  The Victory of Adwa which gave light to the road of independence movement and upraise of black people against colonial forces. I'm ashamed.

Friends at African Union, I recommend you to read the New Africa article here.

Also our Foreign Ministry shall work on this in reaching African young generation. It would as easy as to invite AU official on the event and to give a press release; as these officials audience are international - the news could get to every corner of Africa in minutes.

Adwa is black peoples victory and its celebration shall not be confined to Ethiopians only!!

" The victory had further significance for being the first crushing defeat of a European power by African forces during the colonial era."

Countries represented are Madagascar, Nigeria, Kenya, Congo, Cameroon, Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Cot d'Ivoire, Tanzania, Benin, Togo and The Gambia. Interviewees from 15 countries were asked the following four questions with some additional questions depending on their response.

1. Is there a history course in your country schools?

2. Does the course touch African History?

3. Do you know about The Battle of Adwa?

4. Do you know any independent African nation during colonialism?
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1. Madagascar
1. History Course: not for primary but for secondary schools;
2. Course:  talks about Colonization in Africa
3. Adwa: I don't know
4. Independent Nation: I don't know, we are taught only about the colonized nations.


2. Nigeria

1. History Course:at university and for some at high school level
2. Course:-----
3. Adwa: didn't take history at high school but at Cambridge A'levels and it was more European and international
4. Independent Nation: I don't know, but I know Ethiopians kicked out Italian in 1941.

3. Kenya:

1. History Course:Yes, from 3-4 grades
2. Course:Touches African history
3. Adwa: I don't know
4. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia. Ethiopian king kicked Italians in 1890's
5. How did you learn that/source: schools

4. Congo:

1. History Course:Yes
2. Course: Yes, in 4th secondary school, it is only African history
3. Adwa: Yes, it was between the Ethiopian Empire and the Italy
4. Independent Nation: The Ethiopia, the only African country which was not colonized;
5. How did you learn that/source: schools

5. Cameroon
1. History Course: Yes (from primary to university)
2. Course:Yes, touches African History
3. Adwa: Yes 1938, it was Italian and one Ethiopian king I forgot the name
4. How did you learn that/source: secondary schools
5. Independent Nation: Yes, Liberia
6. First African army defeated European: Yes,  Battle of Adwa

6. Ghana
1. History Course: Yes, from basic school
2. Course:Yes, touches African History
3. Adwa: No but I know empires like Axum and Kush
4. Independent Nation: Ethiopia and Liberia
5. How did you learn that/source: Personal reading when l started covering Ethiopia as one of the project countries for the ILO

7. Zimbabwe
         A.
1. History Course: Yes, in  high schools for 2 years.
2. Course: It touches African and European history
3. Adwa: I don't know/remember
4. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source: Combination of schools and personal reading
-----------------------------------------------
         B.                    1. History Course:Yes
                                 2. Course: doesn't touch African but European-  in 1985
                                 3. Adwa: I don't know
                                 4. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia
                                 5. How did you learn that/source: during my personal visit to Ethiopia

8. South Africa

1. History Course:Yes
2. Course: It is about world war and colonization, not the road to independence
3. Adwa: Yes,
4.. How did you learn that/source: Personal reading, from Raymond Jonas book
5. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia

Comment: South African school don't even teach the history of the liberation movements such as the African national congress (ANC) and the pan African congress (PAC).


9. Burkina Faso

1. History Course:Yes, at primary & secondary schools
2. Course:Yes, touch African history
3. Adwa: No I don't know
4. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source: From schools and Ras Teferian Music

10. Guinea 
1. History Course:Yes
2. Course:Yes,
3. Adwa: I don't know
4. Independent Nation: No
5. Which country get its independence first: Liberia, July 26, 1847. School course touches colonialism, independence movement...
6.  Does it touch about Ethiopia: Yes
7. What was it about:  Muluku suleyman


11. Cot d'Ivoire 
1. History Course:Yes
2. Course: Yes, touches African history
3. Adwa: No
4. Independent Nation: No
5. Independence movement: during colonialism - I know after 1960 Senegal, Ivory-got independent

12. Benin
1. History Course:Yes
2. Course: I think so
3. Adwa: No
4. Independent Nation: Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source: Personal reading

13. Tanzania
1. History Course:Yes, from primary, secondary and advanced
2. Course:Yes, even colonization and globalization
3. Adwa: No, I'm not sure. Is it from Ethiopia?
4. Independent Nation: Ethiopia wasn't colonized, from Ethiopia we learn Menelik's and the fight of Italy... we learn even the pre-colonial trade routes

14. Togo

1. History Course:Yes, from the 3rd class of primary school to thé last on secondary school
2. Course: Yes, it touces
3. Adwa: Yes !about Menelik II and Italian army
4. Independent Nation: Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source:Schools

15. The Gambia
1. History Course:Yes but in Senior Secondary school and The University
2. Course:Yes
3. Adwa: No
4. Independent Nation:Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source: personal reading
6. Have you learn that in schools: No

My African Friends: 

here are some articles where you can find a lot more about Adwa and King Menelik

The Battle of Adwa: African Victory in the Age of Empire   Raymond Jonas "This is the story of a world turned upside down."
 
Ethiopian History: Battle of Adwa
Black Past: Battle of Adwa (Adowa), 1896
African American Registry: Ethiopia Wins The Battle of Adwa
Origins: When Ethiopia Stunned the World
Britanicca:The victory had further significance for being the first crushing defeat of a European power by African forces during the colonial era. 


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