AMU has commemorated the 124th anniversary of iconic Adwa Victory with tremendous enthusiasm and ardor at Main Campus on 2nd March, 2020. Many war veterans including men and women sporting their pips and gongs, Gamo elders draped in colorful ethnic attire, guests from different walks of life and AMU community graced the event. The event was jointly hosted by Tsegablot Art Association and AMU. Click here to see the pictures
AMU President, Dr Damtew Darza, reiterating the significance of Adwa victory, said, it’s an embodiment of sacrifice firmly itched on our psyche about Ethiopian patriots - ‘Contingent of the Brave,’ who inflicted crushing defeat on Italian forces wanting to enslave us. It’s an Ethiopian triumph over them who wanted to change the course of our history, but our valiant soldiers crushed ruthless conquest and reiterated that Ethiopians can’t be put under subjugation by any foreign invaders for our sovereignty is supreme.
He adds victory of Adwa is about African pride. This event has asserted the freedom for black people. As our forefathers fought against colonialism and kept our sovereignty intact in the face of adversities, this generation must sustain it. Now we have cutting-edge technologies at our disposal to develop our country by peacefully solving internal problems so that democracy and good governance get strengthened.
The program began with Gamo elders taking the centre stage reminded the gathering that Adwa Victory isn’t just triumph over enemy on the battle ground, but it sent out the strong signals across the world about our grit and determination that Ethiopians are capable to protect their political sovereignty with utter grit.
124th anniversary of Adwa Victory is the momentous occasion for it has paved the way for total Ethiopian renaissance, emphasized the Gamo Zone Patriots’ Association chairman, Mr Tesfaye Gemeda. And having achieved this phenomenal adventure, later in 1931, Association of Ethiopian Patriots came into being to start some developmental activities and also to acknowledge contributions of valiant warriors including from Gamo Gofa Zone.
Many schools named after war veterans to acknowledge their unforgettable sacrifices had been changed; we, now hereby request the authorities to restore those names. For example Fitawrari Haile Degaga School was changed to Chamo Primary School, Fitawrari Gebeyehu Tiku School in Gidole is now known as Gidole Primary School. Similarly, Fitawrari Asfaw in Gofa, Bulki, is called Bulki Primary School. He also expressed the need for office that would help patriots to work constructively for nation.
Furthermore, one of the war veterans, Mr Getahun Tefera, reminiscing about battle, said, 40 years after the debacle of Adwa, Italians returned to Ethiopia to take revengewith automatic weapons in hands and caused untold misery and as they started build-up, in September 1933, our patriots begun to rush to Temben in Tigray but retreated for, this time, they were formidable. So 5 years later, we rallied together again with the assistance of Great Britain and could throw Italians out of Ethiopia, he added.
It’s learnt that Ethiopia had fought many wars such as Maqdala, Gundet, Gura, Dogali, Adwa, Maychew, Ethio-Somali, Ethio-Eritrea, etc. where around eight were won except Maqdala, and Maychew but Adwa Victory hold special position in the hearts of people.
History and Heritage Management Department Head, Mr Kassu Tumiso, giving historical perspective, said, Adwa Victory is unique in many ways as it had injected sense of belongingness among Ethiopians. While one of the teachers, Mr Mohammed Seid also presented his point of view. Later, gathering had an animated panel discussion. Meanwhile, on the eve of this event, a group of Tsegablot Art Association members had enacted a play signifying what does Adwa victory means for Ethiopia and its destiny.
(Corporate Communication Directorate)