While the majority served in non-violent chores such as food preparation and nursing of the wounded, a significant portion served as soldiers, strategists, advisors, translators, and intelligence officers. Historians have estimated that an average of 20,000 to 30,000 women have participated in the campaign of Adwa alone. Not all participation in war, however, was voluntary as is clearly depicted in the following 19th century edict by the leader Ras Gugsa: “One who does not join the army of Gugsa, man and woman, will lose his genital and her breast respectively.” In an uncommon way, the ability of women to participate on the warfront initiated change to their otherwise lower societal status. However, women would be able to claim property after serving in military mobilization efforts. What rights, titles, honors men claimed for their valor women were able to do the same.įemales were traditionally not allowed to inherit land unless the father died before the daughter married or there were no sons in the family. While men served as soldiers they brought along with them their wives who in turn became involved either as civilian participants or as military combatants. He points out, “It’s not an army an invasion, the transplanting of the whole people.” No one was left behind. Berkeley observes how the Ethiopian army was not merely organized as a segment of the population, but rather as an entire collective that had integrated the occurrence of war into its normal day-to-day activities. Depicting the atmosphere during the battle of Adwa in 1896, historian G.F. From earliest times, both women and men were encouraged to participate in mobilization and preparation efforts. The emphasis on military virtues becomes more palpable when we recognize the unique manner in which Ethiopians chose to fight off their external enemies. Indeed, it is as the 17th century writer Almeida wrote of us: “In war they are reared as children, in war they grow old, or the life of all who are not farmers is war.” Countless retelling of tales depicting the early and decisive victory at the battle of Adwa remain ever fresh in our proud minds and hearts the feeling only to be outdone by the resoluteness of heroes who ended the Italian occupation of Ethiopia during the Second World War. Growing up we are effortlessly taught the virtues of honor and duty, which have bestowed sovereignty to generation after generation of Ethiopians.

Photo by Shemelis Desta ( BBC)Ĭhronicles of war and military prowess are plentiful in Ethiopia’s historical literature. Above: These female war veterans are pictured in AddisĪbaba’s Menelik Square in 1973 at a ceremony to commemorateĪn early victory against the Italians.

Adwa victory day women dress