Thread by @natiwbk

A tribute to a man who joined the Arbegnoch (the Ethiopian Patriot resistance to the Italian occupation) as a young boy at the age of 9:

Afe Memhir Melak Negatu.

(Afe Memhir=a learned deputy of the Abbot of an Ethiopian Orthodox Monastery)

THREAD
#Ethiopia #WeeklyJegna

Born in the Maqet in the Lasta area, Afe Memhir Melak joined joined the patriot resistance following the example of his mother, father and brothers who (with others) started the Patriot resistance in their area.

(Lasta marked on the map)

He says "Although I was somewhat young for this when it started (being only 9) I too joined the struggle and spent the next 5 years fighting." According to the Afe Memhir, they offered fierce and devastating resistance to the Italians, albeit suffering high casualties.)

Several children even younger than Afe Memhir Melak joined the resistance after deciding that surrending their country was not an option, and thus their area did not fall under fascist occupation. Several Eritreans (from Hamasen specifically) also joined the Patriots as well.

Some of the leaders of the resistance in that area were Dejach Yaragal, Dejach Gamoraw, Dejach Wande, Dejach Negash and Fitawrari Abbay.

A war chant sung by Dejach Wande's (Afe Memhir Melak's leader) followers 👇🏾:

In the beginning the Afe Memhir says they did not have enough weapons, a few had single shot wujigra rifles while some had the better Nas Maser. The enemy was well armed and provisioned. Most of the Patriots began the war with sticks, so much so that they sang this:

As the war went on the Patriots captured weapons from the fallen Italians and slowly began to improve their armory.

They sang this song explaining it(Pic 1)

In fact Afe Memhir Melak captured a Minishir rifle after a battle on April 6th 1941this earned him his own war chant:

The other inhabitants of the area who were not able to fight served as informants and supported the struggle.

The rocks of the area that provided cover to the Patriots during battle were even dubbed Patriots.

The strict religious way of life of the area provided strength to the Patriots as Priests and Monks encouraged people to not surrender.

"Only in Nagala and the Maqet lowlands was the cross unspoiled"

Towards the end of the struggle the confrontations with the fascists grew fiercer, the Patriots suffered heavy losses.

After the Emperor's return the Arbegnoch of Maqet fought with renewed vigour at "Wayra-Bar Abbo" and other places.

"In our area, Maqet, many people died walking into unwinnable battles like sheep rushing silently to be slaughtered. The people in general love their country to an amazing extent and admired Tekel (Atse Haile Selassie's horse name) even after the demise of his reign."

My favorite quote from this chapter/interview of the Afe Memhir and Arbegna Melak Negatu👇🏾.

May the stories of the Arbegnoch who suffered greatly at the hands of the Fascist Italians never be forgotten, they persevered against all odds and preserved our country and identity.

Let us uplift their stories and protect this inheritance they left us with.
💚💛♥️ #Ethiopia

Source: From an Interview conducted and transcripted by Professor Yonatan Sahle within "The Ethiopian Patriots" by Andrew Hilton.

I really recommend this book.

(*The highlights were done by the previous owner of this copy*)