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The 1896 battle of Adwa was a historic victory against colonialism.
As European powers moved to carve up Africa at the end of the 19th century, Italy set its eyes on the Horn of Africa and Ethiopia. Armed with a deliberate mistranslation and misinterpretation of a treaty, the Italian leaders deluded themselves with fantasies of a reformed Roman Empire and aimed to turn Ethiopia into a protectorate.
The Ethiopians, led by Emperor Menelik II, repudiated the Italian intentions and the first Italo-Ethiopian War broke out in January 1895, with the invading forces winning the early battles in Coatit and Senafe.
Menelik II issued a call to arms and rallied an army of 100,000 men to defend the country. The Ethiopians managed to push back the Italian forces to set up a final showdown in Adwa.
On March 1, 1896, Ethiopian forces launched wave after wave of attacks and overran the foreign army commanded by Oreste Barattieri. The Italians suffered heavy losses and fled the field of battle. The two countries later signed the Treaty of Addis Ababa, which unquestionably recognized the independence of Ethiopia.
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Text: Ricardo Vaz. Illustration: Valentina Aguirre.