The battle of Adwa: an Ethiopian victory that ran against the current of colonialism

Origin date: 29 February 2020
Updated: 1 Apr 2022

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Summary

On the first day of March 124 years ago, traditional warriors, farmers and pastoralists as well as women defeated a well-armed Italian army in the northern town of Adwa in Ethiopia. The outcome of this battle ensured Ethiopia’s independence, making it the only African country never to be colonised. Adwa turned Ethiopia into a symbol of freedom for black people globally. It also led to a change of government in Italy.

How we know this

01Woldeyes, Y.G. (2020). The battle of Adwa: an Ethiopian victory that ran against the current of colonialism from The Conversation, 29 February 2020 [online]. Available at https://theconversation.com/the-battle-of-adwa-an-ethiopian-victory-that-ran-against-the-current-of-colonialism-. Accessed on 2 March 2020.

Last updated · 1 Apr 2022

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2020, March 2). The battle of Adwa: an Ethiopian victory that ran against the current of colonialism. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/R-0150025

South African History Online (2020) 'The battle of Adwa: an Ethiopian victory that ran against the current of colonialism', South African History Online, 2 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/R-0150025 (Accessed: 26 July 2026).

South African History Online, The battle of Adwa: an Ethiopian victory that ran against the current of colonialism [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/R-0150025, (accessed 26 July 2026).

"The battle of Adwa: an Ethiopian victory that ran against the current of colonialism." South African History Online, 2 Mar. 2020, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/R-0150025. Accessed 26 July 2026.

South African History Online. "The battle of Adwa: an Ethiopian victory that ran against the current of colonialism." South African History Online. March 2, 2020. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/R-0150025.