Interesting look back at ogadeni/oromo resistance to abyssinian expansion and adwa...

[Waachis]

''Three years ago, the Ras Makonnen's troops, 6,000 carbines strong, were beaten near Ogaden by Somalis armed only with lances and half their numbers was killed in a night attack. The survivors returned announcing that they had been stopped by malaria. Three times the Negus sent expeditions against Kafa (the Oromo areas): in 1896, 18,000 rifles were defeated by Oromo lances; in 1897 20,000 rifles shared the same fate, and later in the same year the Oromos gave away before a force of 24,000 rifles only because they preferred paying tribute to Menelik. In 1898 Makonnen's troops were severely defeated in Western Abyssinia and prevented from reaching the Nile.

How, then, shall we account for the affair at Adwa?
Chiefly by the configuration of the country. Abyssinia defends itself. The Italian troops, too far removed from their base, were surprised in steep defiles, from the top of which an enemy, three times superior in number, was able to shoot them down. The victory has been disastrous to European prestige; it has destroyed the fear of the white man, which was instinctive in the negro mind. The Abyssinian draws no distinctions between the various European nations-they are all whites and as such worthy of hatred; they were all, in his opinion, defeated at Adwa, and may henceforth be regarded with contempt and insulted at pleasure.''

[The 19th Century, Edited by James Knowles, 1-6, 1899; Pages 432-434]

[Khalid Ali]

It was pointless in 1896 menelik was the emperor of Ethiopia and ras alula was the top general along side ras mengesha. After king Johannes death tigres lost grip and ras wolde micheal was tricked by alula. Ras wolde micheal was a prestigious man the hazenga Prince of hamasien. I believe menelik had a clear plan he had the support of gurage he had the support of tulama oromo. He had the support of the gojjam amharas. Oromo was resisting a war that was already win by amhara.

[AwRastaale]

Ras Makonnen Wolde-Mikael faced very little resistance in Ogaden. He concluded his conquest less than 3 months with the support of Ras Darge, the man who broke Arsi resistance and uncle of Emperor Menelik II of Shewa.

Wollega did not put up any resistance and they all surrendered to Ras Gobana Dache of Shewa.

The biggest resistance faced by the conquering forces of Atse Menelik was put up by Arsi, which lasted close to three full years.

All the others were walk in the park.

Go look at the timeline of Menelik expanionism. The most is 1 year span except Arsi, those warriors did put up one hell of a fight.

They tormented the Abyssinians and the Abyssinians feared them shytless. In one counter, the Arsi told the Abyssinians to fight them without guns and the Abyssinians admitted they can’t. It was a poetry or gloating the two sides exchanged before the final push with 100,000 rifles against them.

Ras Darge was a military genius too.

Once Arsi was broken, Ras Darge made a home run. Rest were easy defeat.

Wollega, western Oromo, namely the Macha, gave up before son of Tulama of Shewa, Ras Gobana even marched his famous horse. So why did they gave up? Well Ras Gobana was from a very powerful Tulama Oromo family. They already controlled much of the day to day affairs of the Macha and Tulama Oromo. When they heard the most feared warrior allied with powerful players in the region namely Emperor Menelik and Ras Ali Mohammad of the Yejju Oromo of Wollo who was already campaigning in neighboring Gojam, they knew what was coming.


Ras Gobana leading his cavalry during the battle of Adwa.


Ras Ali Mohammad of Wollo, father of Lij Eyasu, the man who freed Menelik from Emperor Tewodros II. Later Menelik gave him his daughter. He crashed all resistance including those in autonomous Gojjam, namely, Tekle Haymanot. He commanded a force of 100,000 men even more than Menelik. He took part in the battle of Adwa. In fact all four corners who surrendered the Italians were led by Oromo Abyssinians; Ras Gobana, Balcha Aba Nefso, Ras Ali and Workitu. Respect.


Ras Makonnen statue in Harar pays respect to his conquest of Harar, Bale and Ogaden.

Let us pay tribute to Emperor Menelik, Ras Ali Mohammad, Ras Darge, Balcha Aba Nefso, Ras Makonnen and Ras Gobana Dache, the conquering lions. I like conquerors not defenders or subjects who lost their statehoods and freedom. Thanks for making the Horn what it is.