Up until now, God by his grace has allowed me to remain without enemy

and to expand our territory. I have ruled up to now, if I die, I will

not regret, as death is for all. So far, God has not let me down

before my enemy, and he will not fail me in future as well.

Now, an oversea enemy has come from the North to destroy the nation

which God has given us bounded by an ocean and to retain our identity

and religion. I will march to fight so prepare with your provisions to

follow me.

In my rule, I have not harmed you knowingly, hence for the sake of

your country, your wife, your children, and your religion, I ask for

your help: those of you who are able bodied with your force, and those

of you who has wealth with your wealth. Even if you do not have

strength, wealth or anything please help me with your prayers, however

if you do not follow this command, I swear in the name of ‘St.

Mariam’, I will punish you severely on my return.

I will leave Addis Ababa in Tekemet (October); People of Showa meet me

in Werilu by the middle of Tekemte. Those from Gojam, Begemedir,

Dembia, Quara and above Checheho, meet me in Ashengai. People from the

North, Welkiat and Tegedai meet me in Mekele……..   :”

                   Amba Lage(Fort Lage)

 “The battle of Ambalage was led by Ras Makonnen as a commander in

chief. Ras Makonne and Ras Mikayel on the rear side, Ras Mangesha and

Ras Alula on the right flank, Ras Wolay on the left, and Fetwarari

Gebeyehu on front headed on horses back each led their army towards to

the Italian trench.

To avoid bloodshed, Ras Makonnen wrote the following message to the

Italian Major Pietro Toselli, ‘Though I am here to fight, I still

don’t want bloodshed so I would advise you to lead your camp and

retreat. Emperor Menelik with his army is advancing swiftly please let

us avoid this preventable war. I have also unanswered letter which I

wrote to your boss, General Oreste Baratieri, I hope your help to get

the answer to my letter.’

Major Toselli’s answer was ‘The letter has reached to Geneal Baratieri

and his response would come in due course. However, if your intention

is peaceful, you should have waited in your camp for the answer.’

Ras Makonnen concluded that peaceful settlement was not attainable and

decided to proceed. Fetawrari Gebyhu’s army advance throughout the

night and at day break it reached at the Italian ditch and the Italian

started to shoot, and then the long awaited war broke out.

When the heavy sound of guns exchanged between Fetawrari Gebyhu’s army

and the Italian, the rest of the Ethiopian army advanced quickly from

all sides to join Fetawrari Gebeyhu. In a few minutes, the Italian

trench was encircled. From the left, as the Ras Wolay’s army pushed

forcefully, the Italian army started retreating to the hill and began

to fire the mortar from the distance. From the center, the Ras

Makonnen’s and Ras Michael’s armies jumped over the trench and dashed

to the hill and mixed themselves with the Italian army and fought

fiercely hand in hand with sword and shield.  From the right side, Ras

Mangesha’s and Ras Alula’s armies ran into the rear side and began a

surprise attack. Within one hour, the Italian army was completely

defeated, and tried to escape, however, the passage was too narrow so

they decided to throw themselves from 400 meters high cliff while only

a few succeeded in escaping and most of them were forced to surrender.

Major Toselli was courageous solder and refused to surrender and

fought until he was killed. The casualty from both sides were big, the

Italian lost about 3 thousands when the Ethiopian was about thousand

with many injured.

After victory, the Ethiopian solders assembled themselves in various

group and began to weep and cry to morn their dead. When Ras Mekonnen

heard the weeping and crying, he chided standing in the middle of his

army and saying, ‘My friends, this is not a time to weep but to

rejoice. It is a great honor to die for our country and for our

Emperor, instead you should address now your heroic deeds,’ upon which

the mood changed into war song and describing by exhibiting the

captives and captured weapons.

After this, Ras Makonen ordered that all dead bodies should be buried,

irrespective of the fact whether they are Ethiopians or Italians. He

personally attained the burial ceremony of Major Toselli and he

ensured that it was done honorably.

After he wrote a report to Emperor Menelik, he marched to the next

battle ground, Mekele. In his report, he mentioned that Fetawrari

Gebeyhu and Kengazmach Taffese have been detained for they had

breached the principle of the war; they laid their army into battle

with out informing to the Command Center.”

What continued in Mekele and Adwa are the history of triumph of the

united people of Ethiopia which sent a message to the Berlin

conference that divided the rest of Africa among fifty European

countries.

The Victory of Adwa could remain as an inspiring example for future

generation of Africa and peace loving people at large, that gallant

Menelik’s army and generals and soldiers stood firmly in safeguarding

their beloved country freedom as the cost of their precious lives as

the same time showed generosity to the enemy after attaining the

victory.

The torch of Adowa is still burning in the heart of every Ethiopian

and the commemoration of this year celebration is highlighted by the

youth in the city of Addis Ababa dressing like Emperor Menelike and

Empress Taiyetu.

Happy 121st anniversary!

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-------- Original message --------
From: Peter Joachim <reggaestory@web.de> 
Date:03/10/2017 10:37 AM (GMT+03:00) 
To: Mulugeta Haile <mulugetahaile123@gmail.com> 
Subject: Re: The 121ST anniversary of the Victory of Adwa 

Thank you Mulugeta!

~