There are many countries in Africa that celebrate their independence from colonial powers. When this occurs, it is often cause for jubilant celebrations and an uncontrollable sense of pride.
However, only one country fought and won their freedom to escape colonization. This country was Ethiopia, who on March 1, 1896, in the battle at Adowa led by Emperor Menelek II and his wife, Empress Tayti decisively defeated the Italians.
Ethiopia escaped colonialism entering into the twenty-first century an independent nation. That day should be declared, "African Freedom day" representing the motherland's sole military victory over a colonialist power.
Additionally, this would be appropriate to give recognition for fallen heroes and heroines who fought for freedom everywhere. Most importantly, this will dispel the belief that all Africans acquiesced to colonial domination.
Africans were forcibly scattered across the globe against their will but fought for their freedom and continued the fight at their respective destinations. Moments of silence would be appropriate to recognize independence for Africans everywhere. Moreover, the battles for independence and freedom are not unique to one part of the world. It's essential to take ownership of our ethnicity and share these moments universally.
Africans are well represented fighting against colonialism because every inch of the motherland was contested. While embracing Ethiopia's victory at Adowa we must also give homage to those, who fought against slavery.
There are numerous historical events but only a few will be presented for brevity. Wherever enslaved Africans were forcibly taken in the Americas, some escaped. In Brazil, Mexico, Surinam, and other colonies, these fugitive Africans founded rebel communities that endured for generations. The Spanish referred to the members of these communities as Cimarron, or runaways. The British shortened Cimarron to maroon, which is still in use today.
The Maroons, who refused to live in slavery, and their unwillingness to accept the yoke of the colonialist masters made them unique among the Africans brought in bondage to the Americas. The Maroon colonies represented a major arm of resistances in the western hemisphere. Among them were the Jamaican Maroons, many others and the largest was the Palumbro Maroons in Brazil.
It would be remiss not referencing the largest and most successful slave rebellion in world history. Interesting enough it occurred over five hundred years ago before the transatlantic slave trade, and impacted more slaves and at its height, not only did they have an army but also a navy.
It was the enslaved east Africans in Mesopotamia during the 9th century.
These events took place around Basra, in modern-day Iraq and was known as the Zanj slave rebellion. What distinguishes the Zanj from numerous other slave rebellions is the magnitude of its size. The Spartacus Rebellion lasted for three years (73-71 BCE) and involved around 120,000 slaves. By contrast, the Zanj was 500,000 strong and maintained a marooned state for
15 years(869-883 AD).
Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world and Africa's second most populous. It has yielded some of humanity's early traces, making the area a primary factor in the origin and developmental history of humanity, with recent studies claiming the vicinity of present-day Addis Ababa as the point from which human beings migrated around the world.
The only native African nation to successfully resist the Scramble for Africa by the colonial powers during the nineteenth century just briefly succumbing to Italian occupation from 1935 until it was liberated during World War II.
Ethiopia dynastic history traditionally began with the reign of Emperor Menelik, I, in 1000 BC. The roots are similar deep, dating with unbroken continuity. Although it declined and fragmented in the 19th century. However, Emperor Menelik II changed its fortunes and by 1896.
They were strong enough to inflict a crushing defeat on the Italians at Adowa.
This victory represented one of Africa's greatest achievement and a stellar example of perseverance. We must embrace this great accomplishment and pass it on to the next generation as proof that anything is possible.
Henceforth, it's incumbent that African's everywhere collectively or individually pay tribute with moments of silence as recognition to those who fought for freedom on this declared African Freedom Day.
Sabamya Jaugu is a retired data communication technician who has dedicated his life to helping the community in different capacities. His current quest is to gather support to revise Black History Month into an African History Month.
However, only one country fought and won their freedom to escape colonization. This country was Ethiopia, who on March 1, 1896, in the battle at Adowa led by Emperor Menelek II and his wife, Empress Tayti decisively defeated the Italians.
Ethiopia escaped colonialism entering into the twenty-first century an independent nation. That day should be declared, "African Freedom day" representing the motherland's sole military victory over a colonialist power.
Additionally, this would be appropriate to give recognition for fallen heroes and heroines who fought for freedom everywhere. Most importantly, this will dispel the belief that all Africans acquiesced to colonial domination.
Africans were forcibly scattered across the globe against their will but fought for their freedom and continued the fight at their respective destinations. Moments of silence would be appropriate to recognize independence for Africans everywhere. Moreover, the battles for independence and freedom are not unique to one part of the world. It's essential to take ownership of our ethnicity and share these moments universally.
Celebrating The Maroons
Africans are well represented fighting against colonialism because every inch of the motherland was contested. While embracing Ethiopia's victory at Adowa we must also give homage to those, who fought against slavery.There are numerous historical events but only a few will be presented for brevity. Wherever enslaved Africans were forcibly taken in the Americas, some escaped. In Brazil, Mexico, Surinam, and other colonies, these fugitive Africans founded rebel communities that endured for generations. The Spanish referred to the members of these communities as Cimarron, or runaways. The British shortened Cimarron to maroon, which is still in use today.
The Maroons, who refused to live in slavery, and their unwillingness to accept the yoke of the colonialist masters made them unique among the Africans brought in bondage to the Americas. The Maroon colonies represented a major arm of resistances in the western hemisphere. Among them were the Jamaican Maroons, many others and the largest was the Palumbro Maroons in Brazil.
It would be remiss not referencing the largest and most successful slave rebellion in world history. Interesting enough it occurred over five hundred years ago before the transatlantic slave trade, and impacted more slaves and at its height, not only did they have an army but also a navy.
It was the enslaved east Africans in Mesopotamia during the 9th century.
These events took place around Basra, in modern-day Iraq and was known as the Zanj slave rebellion. What distinguishes the Zanj from numerous other slave rebellions is the magnitude of its size. The Spartacus Rebellion lasted for three years (73-71 BCE) and involved around 120,000 slaves. By contrast, the Zanj was 500,000 strong and maintained a marooned state for
15 years(869-883 AD).
Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world and Africa's second most populous. It has yielded some of humanity's early traces, making the area a primary factor in the origin and developmental history of humanity, with recent studies claiming the vicinity of present-day Addis Ababa as the point from which human beings migrated around the world.
The only native African nation to successfully resist the Scramble for Africa by the colonial powers during the nineteenth century just briefly succumbing to Italian occupation from 1935 until it was liberated during World War II.
Ethiopia dynastic history traditionally began with the reign of Emperor Menelik, I, in 1000 BC. The roots are similar deep, dating with unbroken continuity. Although it declined and fragmented in the 19th century. However, Emperor Menelik II changed its fortunes and by 1896.
They were strong enough to inflict a crushing defeat on the Italians at Adowa.
This victory represented one of Africa's greatest achievement and a stellar example of perseverance. We must embrace this great accomplishment and pass it on to the next generation as proof that anything is possible.
Henceforth, it's incumbent that African's everywhere collectively or individually pay tribute with moments of silence as recognition to those who fought for freedom on this declared African Freedom Day.
Sabamya Jaugu is a retired data communication technician who has dedicated his life to helping the community in different capacities. His current quest is to gather support to revise Black History Month into an African History Month.
Sabamya Jaugu
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Click here to speak out or read (3) comments about this articleThey were strong enough to inflict a crushing defeat on the Italians at Adowa. We must embrace this great accomplishment and pass it on to the next generation as proof that anything is possible.
Sabamya Jaugu, African Manifesto
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