Members of the Ethiopian community gathered in Grand Rapids to celebrate the 128th anniversary of a battle that preserved Ethiopia’s 3,000 years of independence.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — “This is the battle that essentially confirmed Ethiopia’s 3,000-year-old independence, by defeating a modern army with spears and sticks and swords,” said Orion Netsanet, a member of the leadership team for the Ethiopian Community of Michigan.
Netsanet is referring to the Battle of Adwa, a battle that occurred in the northern Ethiopian city of Adwa in March of 1896.
The battle saw Ethiopia successfully defend itself against invasion from the Italian army, resulting in Ethiopia being the sole African nation to have never been colonized by a European country.
At Frontline Community Church in Grand Rapids, members of Michigan’s Ethiopian community gathered to commemorate the anniversary.
Throughout Saturday afternoon, community members enjoyed nearly three hours of traditional dancing, poetry, presentations and speeches.
Ethiopian actress Alemtsehaye Wedajo took part in the celebration, performing as Empress Taytu Bitul, who alongside Emperor Menelik II refused to surrender and successfully defended Ethiopia.
Wedajo said it’s important to continue celebrating Adwa because it’s a victory for all humankind.
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