Ras alula aba nega biography of william

Ethiopian general and politician (1827–1897)

RasAlula Engida (Ge'ez: ራስ አሉላ እንግዳ) (1845 – 15 February 1897; also known by his horse nameAbba 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]

Early years

Alula was born in Mennewe, a village in Tembien, the son of Engda Eqube, a farmer of modest origins.

Haggai Erlich relates a story about Alula's childhood – "well known throughout Tigray": a group of people carrying baskets of bread to a wedding ceremony were stopped by a group of children led by the future Ras, who demanded to know where they were g