Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a landlocked nation in the horn of Africa that is surrounded by the nations of Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti.  Ethiopia has the proud distinction to be one of two nations throughout Africa is not colonized, the other Liberia, however it was occupied by Italy.  “Ethiopia is one of the world’s oldest countries, its territorial extent having varied over the millennia of its existence. In ancient times it remained centered on Aksum, an imperial capital located in the northern part of the modern state, about 100 miles (160 km) from the Red Sea coast. The present territory was consolidated during the 19th and 20th centuries as European powers encroached into Ethiopia’s historical domain. Ethiopia became prominent in modern world affairs first in 1896, when it defeated colonial Italy in the Battle of Adwa, and again in 1935–36, when it was invaded and occupied by fascist Italy. Liberation during World War II by the Allied powers set the stage for Ethiopia to play a more prominent role in world affairs.”


Mehretu, A. (2019, December 13). Ethiopia. From Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/place/Ethiopia

The Importance of The Battle of Adwa

Ethiopia is not going to be defined by the attempted advancement of colonialism in the horn of Africa by Italy, however, the aftermath sent a message to Italy, Europe, and the rest of the world. 

The battle of Adwa (1896) was the greatest military operation between Africans and Europeans since the time of Hannibal. For winners, it was the most deceive and for the vanquished, it was the most catastrophic. The Italian colonialist soldiers were crushed totally and in every manner. Indeed, their defeat was extraordinary in scale and it was estimated that the casualty of the Italian was 70 percent; their artillery pieces were totally captured; one out of four of their generals were taken as captive and nearly half of their staff officers were killed on the battle. Thus, the Battle of Adwa was the reflections of historic victory of Ethiopia against European imperialism.  The victory of the battle of Adwa was complete when the news was immediately heard and resounded all over Europe and United States, the Black communities were received with a sense of pride and delight.


Vestal, T. M. (2016). Reflections on the Battle of Adwa and its Significance. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 6, Issue 11, 210

Adwa was the climactic battle that ended the First Italo-Ethiopian War fought from 1895-1896 after Italy claimed the territory after the Berlin Conference only to be humiliated.  The Second  Italo-Ethiopian War from 1935 to 1937 the Italians now part of the Axis Powers had a grudge since the first.    Without a declaration of war Italy’s 200,000-man army attacked from the north and the east.  Unfortunately, with the Italians advancements in technology and weaponry, the Ethiopians fought valiantly until Italy’s full occupation.  Occupation of Ethiopia did not occur until the end of World War II with the assistance from Britain after Italy declared war on Britain and the empires colonies in Africa.   The Treaty of Peace with Italy, 1947 ultimately lead to the end of occupation of Italian forces in Ethiopia after a nearly a decade.

Prior to the colonization of Africa and the occupation of Ethiopia from Italy, Ethiopia had long and interesting history.  Dating back to 8th century B.C. the civilization of  Dʿmt existed in northern Ethiopia until the 5th century B.C. followed by the Kingdom of Aksum during the 1st century A.D.  Following the Kingdom of Aksum the Kingdoms of Zagwe and Abysinnia existed.   

Interesting Facts About Ethiopia

  • Only country in Africa to have its own unique script. (Ge’ez script)
  • The New Year begins on September 11th, the 12th on leap years.
  • Sunrise represents the beginning of the day and the sunset represents the end of the day, noon and midnight are at 6:00.
  • Not following the Gregorian Calendar, Ethiopia has 13 months to the year.
  • Birthplace to the Rastafarian Movement, however, it was developed in Jamaica.
  • Coffee originated in Ethiopia after a goat herder noticed his goats were getting excited after eating a plant.
  • Ranked as Africa’s oldest independent country dating back to 980 BC.
  • Oldest fossilized human, Lucy, found in 1974 dating back 3.2 million years.
  • About 70% of the mountains in Africa lay within Ethiopia.

Ethiopia and Eritrea

            The story between Ethiopia and Eritrea is a prime example of how colonization, meddling, and special interest can lead to division.  Once part of Ethiopia, Eritrea was controlled by the British that annexed the portion of land that bordered the Red Sea that turned Ethiopia into a land locked nation. 

During the height of World War II, the US, which soon replaced the UK as the principal world power, occupied Radio Marina in Asmera in 1942 for use as a wartime communications base.  It also established the Kagnew Station, a crucial military and intelligence communications bas in 1953.  The altitude and suitable location of Asmera along the same longitude as Moscow gave the US military base a unique advantage to eavesdrop on the Kremlin.  Eritrea thus became a critical link in the chain of the postwar US strategy for the defense of the Middle East and the southern Mediterranean against the treat of expansion of Soviet influence.  In the telling words of John F. Dulles, the then US representative to the Fifth Session of the UN General Assembly: ‘From the point of view of justice, the opinion of the Eritrean people must receive consideration.  Nevertheless, the strategic of the United States in the Red Sea Basin and world peace make it necessary that the country [Eritrea] be linked with our ally Ethiopia.’ 

Ignoring a confidential British report in its possession, which revealed that about 75 percent of Eritreans wanted independence, the US sponsored, and the UN General Assembly adopted, Resolution 390 (V) A (1950) on December 2, 1950 providing for the federation of Eritrea as an autonomous unit with Ethiopia.  The denial of Eritrea’s legitimate right to full self-government, despite the warning that ‘the people of Eritrea will not accept the dominance of Ethiopia.’ Sowed the seeds of the thirty-year Ethio-Eritrean war (1961-1991).


Giorgis, A. W. (2014). Eritrea at a Crossroads, A Narrative of Triumph, Betrayal and Hope. Houston, Texas, United States: Strategic Book Publishing and Rights Co.

After the 30-year war with Eritrea, Ethiopia began to take on its current shape, the first multi-party election occurred in 1995.  In 1998 a border dispute with Eritrea led to a two-year war that hurt the Ethiopian economy.  Now, 2020, Ethiopia currently has a dispute with Egypt with the construction of the  Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam that will reduce the amount of water supplied by the Nile River.

Culture

            Music:  Traditional music incorporates African folk sounds, but generally is less rhythmic and more string- and reed-based than that of other African countries. Ethiopian music, like that in neighboring countries Eritrea and the Sudan, incorporates several traditional instruments, the most common of which are:

  • Krar: a six-stringed lyre, played with the fingers or a plectrum, which is used to pluck or strum the strings
  • Washint: a simple flute
  • Negarit: a kettle drum played with sticks
  • Atamo: a drum tapped with the fingers or palm (OPFER, n.d.)
  • In the 1970s Ethio-Jazz was created.

Sports:

  • Track and Field notably long-distance running.
  • Football

Cuisine:

  1. Injera is bread that is used a utensil that soaks up flavor.
  2. Shiro is a stew consisting of chickpeas and a broad bean.
  3. Wot is a thick oily stew that is often made chicken.
  4. Tibs are chunks of meat served sizzling, common meats used are beef, lamb, and chicken.
  5. Firfir breakfast dish made with left over injera.
  6. Kitfo is a dish that consist of ground beef mixed with butter and chili.

Data From: https://www.indexmundi.com/ethiopia/demographics_profile.html

Ethnic Groups

  • Oromo:  34.4%
  • Amhara:  27%
  • Somali:  6.2%
  • Tigray:  6.1%
  • Sidama:  4%
  • Gurage:  2.5%
  • Welaita:  2.3%
  • Afar:  1.7%
  • Gamo:  1.5%
  • Gedeo:  1.3%
  • Silte:  1.3%
  • Kefficho:  1.2%
  • Other:  8.8%

Languages

  • Oromo:  33.8% (official working language in the State of Oromiya)
  • Amharic:  29.3% (official national language)
  • Somali:  6.2% (official working language of the State of Sumale)
  • Tigrigna:  5.9% (official working language of the State of Tigray)
  • Sidamo:  4%
  • Wolaytta:  2.2%
  • Gurage:  2%
  • Afar:  1.7% (official working language of the State of Afar)
  • Hadiyya:  1.7%
  • Gamo:  1.5%
  • Gedeo:  1.3%
  • Opuuo:  1.2%
  • Kafa:  1.1%
  • Other:  8.1%
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