597:(also known as the Battle of Metemma) was fought on the western Ethiopian border. Here, the forces of the Mahdi were nearly obliterated, however, Emperor Yohannes was wounded and died the next day. Emperor Yohannes' death led to a period of political turmoil in Ethiopia. Although Yohannes, on his deathbed, had named his son Ras Mengesha as his heir and begged Ras Alula and his other nobles to support him, within a matter of weeks Menelik II declared himself emperor and was recognized throughout Ethiopia. Meanwhile,
480:
314:
44:
725:, 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 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.
654:. 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. When Emperor Menelik learned of this treachery, he renounced the treaty which led to the
533:
What does
England mean by destroying Hewett's treaty and allowing the Italians to take my country from me? …Did I not relieve the Egyptian garrison in the Bogos country? Did I not fight at Cassala when it was too late? Have I not done everything I could? You English used us to do what you wanted and
566:
Alula wrote that the
Italians were in Massawa, and to the Consul Sumagn de France, he warned that he would destroy the Italian forces if they did not leave Abyssinian territory. But the Italians believed that it was "the divine will that the Italians come to Massawa". In October 1886, the forces of
449:
Alula prepared for his campaign against the
Mahdists, despite the opposition of certain local leaders who did not accept his rule. Nevertheless, Alula advanced into the territory of the Bogos, then entered Keren in September 1885, where he stayed for ten days, then marched on Kufit.
372:
Araya Dimtsu, the powerful and much respected uncle of
Emperor Yohannes IV. 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.
551:
Alula's claim. However, in a 9 March 1887 letter to Queen
Victoria, Emperor Yohannes wrote that his general had first spent two weeks investigating the Italian presence, then demanded that the Italians either evacuate their positions outside of Massawa or fight.
306:, the son of Engda Eqube, a farmer of modest origins. 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
570:
By
December 1886, confrontation with the Italians was inevitable. The first clash took place 25 January 1887 at Saati, where the Ethiopians were repulsed with heavy casualties; Alula rallied his troops and the next day annihilated the Italian relief column at
720:
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. Two of his spies observed the Italians leave
555:
Before attacking the
Italians, he notified Emperor Yohannes of his intentions, which is expressed to Harrison, who had accompanied the admiral Hewett during the negotiations of the treaty, declaring to him that the British had not honored their word.
514:
Alula chief interest was to guarantee
Ethiopian sovereignty, which made him very wary towards the English whom he suspected supported the Italians' encroachments. His mistrust is clearly expressed in a conversation carried out with
310:, who demanded to know where they were going. "To the Castle of Ras Alula Wadi Equbi," they mockingly replied. "Thereafter," concludes Erlich, "his friends and the people of Mannawe nicknamed him Ras Alula."
623:
with
Menelik, which gave official Ethiopia recognition to Italian possession of all of the land the Italians occupied. A few months later, they used this treaty to declare Eritrea their African colony.
546:
Alula was acting on his own initiative in this instance, or at the orders of his Emperor. Discussing the battle later, he insisted that he was following orders; contemporary Ethiopian documents support
368:
He had three children by his first wife Woizero B'tweta. However, in order to enhance his position at the Imperial court, he divorced his wife and married Woizero Amlesu Araya, daughter of
384:, which were fought in November 1875 and March 1876 respectively, where he routed the Egyptian forces. Emperor Yohannes badly needed a man with these skills at the moment, for
215:
365:
where Emperor Yohannes crushed his opponent (11 July 1871). In spite of his humble background, Alula succeeded in climbing the ladder of the feudal hierarchy.
516:
612:
1093:
1076:
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357:("chamberlain and doorkeeper"). Erlich records an oral tradition that the young Alula distinguished himself by being the one who captured king
332:
601:
Alula found himself isolated, his patron dead, and the steady Italian advance from the coast having deprived him of his power base beyond the
233:
801:
is named after Ras Alula, and an equestrian statue is dedicated to him in that city. A hotel in Axum also bears his name. Ethiopian scholar
439:
which had been isolated by the Mahdists, and because of these successes the British once more asked for his help against the Mahdists under
225:
229:
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1127:
797:
Alula holds a special place in Ethiopian history as the greatest military mind the country has ever produced. The airport in
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In this battle, Alula was on the left side of the Ethiopian positions, on the heights of Adi Abune, supported by soldiers of
165:
1060:
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843:
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Alula could not rest after this victory; less than a year later, on 15 January 1897, he fought against an old rival,
457:, Osman Digna's forces were annihilated, but the Ethiopians also suffered significant losses: the commanders
416:
358:
1083:
802:
17:
732:
Alula was assigned to watch the Gasgorie Pass and block the arrival of Italian reinforcements coming from
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coasts, occupying Massawa and Saati with the tacit approval of the British, which was a violation of the
190:
1147:
655:
132:
658:, and as the bitter news spreads through Ethiopia the major nobility and military figures, including
184:
195:
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By 1888 the Sudanese Italians and dervishes were ready to renew their attacks. In March 1889, the
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Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa: A Political Biography: Ethiopia & Eritrea 1875–1897
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Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa: A Political Biography: Ethiopia & Eritrea 1875–1897
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Alula's had only a small force, and probably played a limited part in the actual fighting.
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871:(Lawrenceville: Red Sea Press, 1996), p. 5 Erlich states the year of his birth as 1847.
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of Shewa was crowned emperor only a few months after the battle. The Italian Count
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who was lord of the land his father farmed; before long he gained the attention of
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the best general and strategist that Africa has perhaps produced in modern times.
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266:) was an Ethiopian general and politician who successfully led battles against
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1094:"Ras Alula dead, An Abyssinian General of Great Ability – The Son of Peasants"
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as the "greatest leader whom Ethiopia produced since the death of Emperor
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Alula suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, and died on 15 February 1897.
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Alula very little time to recover from the battle. As part the European
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Shinn, David Hamilton, Ofcansky, Thomas P., and Prouty, Chris (2004).
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Upon returning to Asmara, Alula mobilized 5,000 men and marched from
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was killed in this battle, along with 400 soldiers and 22 officers.
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Although he had collaborated with the British against the Mahdists,
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Alula's help evacuating the Egyptian garrisons of Amedeb, Algeden,
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From the back cover of Haggai Erlich's biography, Haggai Erlich,
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27 February 1897 New York Times article By Abebe Ataro Z Dawuro
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Alula, unanimously joined him. The conflict culminated at the
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and Italy. He was one of the most important leaders of the
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and sent to deal with this unruly aristocrat, who fled to
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Alula's invaluable contribution to this critical battle:
560:
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in 1868." Ras Alula was referred to by Europeans as "the
712:
Augustus Wylde, a contemporary of the events, described
403:. On 9 October 1876, the Emperor made Alula governor of
615:, who represented his country in Ethiopia, hastened to
1050:
328:
At first Alula attached himself to the distinguished
922:"Ras Alula Abba Nega: An Ethiopian and African Hero"
419:, concluded in 1884, the United Kingdom recognized
1108:Ras Alula Abba Nega: An Ethiopian and African Hero
1055:. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 633.
1119:
523:, who recorded these words in a dispatch to the
499:, at this time the Italians took control of the
575:. The commander of the Italian forces, colonel
255:) (1827 – 15 February 1897; also known by his
376:Alula demonstrated his military skill in the
278:forces during the 19th century. Described by
1075:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
27:Ethiopian general and politician (1827–1897)
42:
461:Gebru and Aselafi Hagos were killed, and
427:as possessions of Ethiopia in return for
978:(New York: Palgrave, 2000), p. 162
478:
312:
567:Alula appeared near Saati and Massawa.
14:
1120:
941:"An unofficial mission to Abyssinia",
1022:Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa
976:Layers of Time, A History of Ethiopia
838:(Lawrenceville: Red Sea Press, 1996)
582:
542:towards Saati. It is unclear whether
519:, the former British vice consul at
1053:Historical dictionary of Hammasenay
468:
24:
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410:
25:
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1100:
945:, 17 May 1897; quoted in Erlich,
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349:Kassa Mercha (the future emperor
166:Italo-Ethiopian War of 1887–1889
1143:19th-century military personnel
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858:(London: Methuen, 1901), p. 29
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1128:19th-century Ethiopian people
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7:
1084:"Ras Alula, the Abyssinian"
759:Hagos of Tembien. Although
465:Alula himself was wounded.
343:Araya's successful nephew,
191:Battle of Amba Alagi (1895)
10:
1164:
656:First Italo-Abyssinian War
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586:
487:However events beyond the
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317:The house of Ras Alula at
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763:Alula was victorious and
407:(today part of Eritrea).
221:
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185:First Italo-Ethiopian War
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116:
97:
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50:
41:
34:
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483:Battle of Dogali in 1887
395:; Alula was promoted to
196:Battle of Mekelle (1896)
787:The Manchester Guardian
792:
727:
619:where he negotiated a
577:Tommaso De Cristoforis
536:
484:
335:, hereditary chief of
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216:W. Bitawa Gabra Masqal
133:Egyptian–Ethiopian War
778:
718:
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482:
316:
117:Years of service
1111:by Ghelawdewos Araia
920:Araia, Ghelawdewos.
389:Woldemichael Solomon
353:), who made him his
943:Manchester Guardian
854:Augustus B. Wylde,
809:, after Ras Alula.
805:named his son, Dr.
526:Manchester Guardian
497:Scramble for Africa
363:the battle of Assem
650:, but also around
595:Battle of Gallabat
589:Battle of Gallabat
583:Battle of Gallabat
485:
326:
298:Alula was born in
803:Richard Pankhurst
666:on 1 March 1896.
640:Treaty of Wuchale
517:Augustus B. Wylde
391:was in revolt in
321:, in present-day
239:
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85:(aged 51–52)
16:(Redirected from
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785:Augustus Wylde,
701:likewise joined
683:. The forces of
613:Pietro Antonelli
475:Battle of Dogali
469:Battle of Dogali
378:Battle of Gundet
254:
177:Battle of Dogali
139:Battle of Gundet
92:Ethiopian Empire
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81:15 February 1897
72:Ethiopian Empire
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1045:Further reading
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807:Alula Pankhurst
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736:. According to
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411:Battle of Kufit
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1101:External links
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1088:New York Times
1086:12 April 1887
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664:Battle of Adwa
638:Following the
634:Battle of Adwa
632:Main article:
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628:Battle of Adwa
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587:Main article:
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489:Horn of Africa
473:Main article:
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435:, Ghirra, and
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359:Tekle Giyorgis
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290:of Ethiopia".
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333:Araya Dimtsu
329:
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307:
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263:
259:
245:Alula Engida
244:
240:
183:
164:
150:
131:
125:Battles/wars
120:19th century
83:(1897-02-15)
29:
18:Alula Engida
1138:1897 deaths
1133:1827 births
603:Mareb River
441:Osman Digna
351:Yohannes IV
294:Early years
284:Tewodros II
264:Alula Equbi
253:ራስ አሉላ እንግዳ
234:Sahaywarada
152:Mahdist War
104:Yohannes IV
1122:Categories
962:, pp. 105f
910:, pp. 35ff
813:References
609:Menelik II
276:Abyssinian
257:horse name
109:Menelik II
98:Allegiance
1071:cite book
1035:Ras Alula
960:Ras Alula
947:Ras Alula
895:Ras Alula
882:Ras Alula
734:Adi Quala
696:Dejazmach
346:Dejazmach
288:Garibaldi
260:Abba Nega
226:Dammaqach
212:Spouse(s)
36:Ras Alula
1037:, p. 196
1033:Erlich,
1020:Erlich,
958:Erlich,
893:Erlich,
880:Erlich,
783:—
723:Entiscio
707:Mengesha
674:Makonnen
437:Gallabat
393:Hamasien
272:Mahdists
230:Dinqnash
222:Children
1090:article
1007:Wylde,
994:Wylde,
949:, p. 74
906:Wylde,
897:, p. 13
799:Mek'ele
648:Agordat
644:Teseney
617:Wuchale
501:Red Sea
425:Massawa
415:In the
337:Enderta
323:Eritrea
304:Tembien
300:Mennewe
262:and by
88:Tembien
68:Tembien
64:Mennewe
56: (
1059:
982:
884:, p. 9
842:
775:Legacy
688:Sebhat
681:Mikael
676:, and
621:treaty
573:Dogali
540:Ghinda
521:Jeddah
459:Blatta
319:Asmara
270:, the
925:(PDF)
748:Death
692:Agame
491:gave
455:Kufit
433:Keren
421:Bogos
401:Bogos
249:Ge'ez
1077:link
1057:ISBN
980:ISBN
840:ISBN
694:and
652:Adwa
646:and
423:and
382:Gura
380:and
78:Died
58:1845
54:1845
51:Born
795:Ras
769:Ras
765:Ras
761:Ras
757:Ras
753:Ras
742:Ras
730:Ras
714:Ras
703:Ras
690:of
685:Ras
678:Ras
671:Ras
660:Ras
599:Ras
564:Ras
561:Bey
549:Ras
544:Ras
512:Ras
493:Ras
463:Ras
453:At
447:Ras
429:Ras
397:Ras
386:Ras
370:Ras
361:in
341:Ras
330:Ras
308:Ras
242:Ras
1124::
1073:}}
1069:{{
974:,
927:.
740:,
709:.
605:.
529::
507:.
443:.
251::
90:,
70:,
66:,
1079:)
1065:.
931:.
247:(
60:)
20:)
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