Before the conference, only about 10% of Africa was controlled by Europeans the remaining 90% was ruled by indigenous and traditional rulers. At the Berlin Conference of 1884-5, 14 European countries divided Africa among themselves. The road to Adwa A decade before the Battle of Adwa, European powers had decided the fate of Ethiopia. In the 19th century, the three successive kings, namely Emperor Tewodros of Gondar, Yohannes of Tigrai and Menelik of Shoa, sought to centralize power. Muslim immigrants were welcomed and protected by the Christian king in the seventh century. The Kebra Nagast, the national epic that elaborates this belief, provided the basis for the emergence of a Solomonic dynasty that incorporates diverse lands and cultures into one country. From the fourth century, an indigenous Christianity, Orthodox Tewahido, developed through the synthesis of belief in the Ark of the Covenant, the Gospel and ancient traditional practices. Ethiopians developed the Geez or Ethiopic writing system. ( Ethiopia) is regarded as the origin of humankind, it was, according to Harvard professor Ephraim Isaac, “about 10,000 years ago, one single nation or community of a single linguistic group.” The people spoke an Afrasian language, which is the origin of almost all languages currently spoken in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. Ethiopia stood as the antithesis of the colonial worldview. Europeans ended up ruling the native peoples of the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia. Ethiopia’s place in the world Since the beginning of slavery and colonialism in the 16th century, similar battles had occurred around the world. They are able to score a decisive victory against global colonialist forces. Adwa still stands as witness to what ordinary Africans can do when they come together as farmers, pastoralists, women and rural people, workers and artists. The battle between Ethiopia and Italy took place in the mountainous terrain of the area. Yeha, the capital of Ethiopia’s ancient empire from 980-400 BC, and the monastery of Aba Garima, which was founded in the sixth century AD, are located near the town. The town of Adwa is located in Northern Tigray, closer to the southern border of Eritrea. It also led to a change of government in Italy. Adwa turned Ethiopia into a symbol of freedom for black people globally. The outcome of this battle ensured Ethiopia’s independence, making it the only African country never to be colonized. Article by Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes, Curtin University Memorial for the Italian defeat at Adwa 124 years ago, Ethiopian men and women defeated the Italian army in the Battle of Adwa On the first day of March 124 years ago, traditional warriors, farmers and pastoralists as well as women defeated a well-armed Italian army in the northern town of Adwa in Ethiopia.
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