Battle of Adwa (Adowa),  March 1st 1896

Battle of Adwa (Adowa), March 1st 1896

The Battle of Adwa was fought on 1 March 1896 between the Ethiopian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy near the town of Adwa, Ethiopia, in Tigray. This climactic battle of the First Italo-Ethiopian War, was a decisive defeat for Italy and secured Ethiopian sovereignty. As the 20th century approached, Africa had been carved up among the European powers at the Berlin Conference of 1884–85. The two independent exceptions were the Republic of Liberia on the west coast, which had begun as a settlement of repatriated American slaves. These slaves were sent by the American Colonization Society, who believed blacks would face better chances for freedom in Africa than in the United States. The second independent nation being Ethiopia, or then still commonly known as Abyssinia. Italy was a relative latecomer to the imperialist scramble for Africa. Italy’s only possessions were African territories: Eritrea and Italian Somalia. Both were near Ethiopia on the Horn of Africa and both were impoverished. Italy sought to improve its position in Africa by conquering Ethiopia and joining it with its two territories.
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Battle of Adwa (Adowa),  March 1st 1896

Africa Day Celebrations

commemoration of the 25th May 1963 foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (now known as the African Union). It is celebrated in various countries on the African continent, as well as around the world.  On 25 May 1963, representatives of thirty African nations attended a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hosted by Emperor Haile Selassie I. By that time more than two-thirds of the continent had achieved independence, mostly from imperial European states. It was at this meeting, that the Organisation of African Unity was founded. The African Union theme for 2017 is “Harnessing Demographic Dividend through Investments in the Youth”. This theme was chosen since the future of our continent, our unity, our hopes and aspirations for the peaceful and prosperous Africa, rests in the hands of our young people. In the late 1950’s, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah first President of Ghana and the first Prime Minister of Ghana introduced the concept of African Unity to the continent this concept, stressed the immediate unity of the African continent. He was inspired by the writings of black intellectuals such as Marcus Garvey, W. E. B. Du Bois, and George Padmore, and his relationships with them. Much of his understanding and relationship to these men was created during his years in America as a student. Some would argue that his greatest inspiration was Marcus Garvey. Read on…………………………………………………]]>

Battle of Adwa (Adowa),  March 1st 1896

Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie returns to his capital Addis Ababa

Haile Selassie Triumphantly returns to Addis Ababa On this day 5th May 1941, Emperor Haile Selassie re-enters Addis Ababa, the hailesalEthiopian capital, exactly five years to the day of when it was occupied by Italy. Ethiopia known widely as Abyssinia was one of the first countries to be liberated during the Second World War. Benito Mussolini had been eyeing Ethiopia (also known as Abyssinia) as an economic colony to be added to Italian Somaliland, in East Africa, since the 1920’s. Italy had an old score to settle after being one of the only countries to be defeated by an African Power during the first Italio-Ethiopian War by the then Ethiopian Emperor Menelik at Adowa on 1 March 1896. He hoped to resettle 10 million Italians in a unified East Africa. (more…)

Birthday Day of Empress Menen

Birthday Day of Empress Menen

empress-menenImportant Dates: The Earth Day of Empress Menen, Queen of Queens Woizero Menen was born on 3rd April 1891 (25th Megabit 1883), in the Egua village, Wollo Province. Woizero Menen was baptised Wolete Giorgis in St Delba Girogis Church. A skilful writer, Woizero Menen was known to be kind, compassionate and devoutly God fearing. In 1902 Woizero Menen married Ras Lul Sagud and had two daughters and two sons before divorcing him. She later married Haile Selassie I in 1911. For the first time in Ethiopian history, during the Coronation of H.I.M Emperor Haile Selassie I, King of Kings on 2nd November 1930, Empress Menen was crowned Queen of Queens. The Coronation was held at the St Giorgis Church in Addis Ababa and was witness by dignitaries from across the world. The sacred and happy union between Emperor Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen lasted for forty seven years, during which time they had three sons and three daughters and was blessed with numerous grandchildren.

Empress Menen made a huge contribution to the development of schools and hospitals as well as the social science institutions.
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Ethiopia celebrates Timket

Ethiopia celebrates Timket

baptism During the ceremonies of Timkat, the Tabot, a model of the Ark of the Covenant, is reverently wrapped in rich cloth and borne in procession and carried through the crowd in every city on the head of a priest. The Tabot/s are carried only by the most senior priests of the community and completely covered because they are too sacred for anyone to gaze at them. Even the head of the Ethiopian Orthodox church is forbidden to see it; only its guardians can look at it. The actual Ark of the Covenant is said to be in the city of Aksum, guarded by monks who have vowed not to leave the chapel grounds until death.                             Continue reading……………….  ]]>

Today is the 121st anniversary of the birth of Ethiopian King Emperor Haile Selassie I

Today is the 121st anniversary of the birth of Ethiopian King Emperor Haile Selassie I

hailesal6overthrow by the Marxist dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1974. The longtime ruler traced his line back to Menelik I, who was credited with being the child of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Emperor Haile Selassie I was born on July 23, 1892, as Lij Taffari Makonnen at Enjersa Goro, just outside the city of Harrar Ethiopia. His parents were Ras Makonnen Wolde Michael, the governor of Harrar, and his wife, Woizero Yeshimebet Ali AbaJiffar. At the age of thirteen, Lij Taffari Makonnen was appointed a Dejazmatch by his father (“Commander or General of the Gate”) a military title meaning commander of the central body of a traditional Ethiopian armed force. Ras Makonnen also summoned all his officers and informed them that it was his wish that his son Dejazmatch Taffari succeed him as governor of Harrar although ultimate decisions as to the succession of the Harrar governorate belonged to his cousin Emperor Menelik II. Click Here to Continue Reading……………………………………………..]]>