Ras Alula | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1845 Mennewe, Tembien, Ethiopian Empire |
| Died | 15 February 1897 (aged 51–52) Tembien, Ethiopian Empire |
| Allegiance | |
| Years of service | 19th century |
| Battles / wars | |
| Spouse(s) | W. Bitawa Gabra Masqal |
| Children | Dammaqach Dinqnash Sahaywarada |
Ras Alula Engida (Ge'ez: ራስ አሉላ እንግዳ) (1827 – 15 February 1897; also known by his horse name Abba Nega and by Alula Equbi[1]) was an Ethiopian general and politician who successfully led battles against Ottoman Egypt, the Mahdists and Italy. He was one of the most important leaders of the Abyssinian forces during the 19th century. Described by Haggai Erlich as the "greatest leader whom Ethiopia produced since the death of Emperor Tewodros II in 1868."[2] Ras Alula was referred to by Europeans as "the Garibaldi of Ethiopia".[3]
- ^ Shinn, p. 25
- ^ From the back cover of Haggai Erlich's biography, Haggai Erlich, Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa: A Political Biography: Ethiopia & Eritrea 1875–1897 (Lawrenceville: Red Sea Press, 1996) ISBN 1-56902-029-9
- ^ Augustus B. Wylde, Modern Abyssinia (London: Methuen, 1901), p. 29