Ethiopian military titles
The military ranks of the Ethiopian Army originally came from the traditiional organization of their forces. An army in the feild or in camp was composed of a vanguard, main body, left and right wings and a rear body. The titles of the upper level of officers reflected this organization:
- Dejazmach (ደጅአዝማች, "Commander or general of the Gate") a military title meaning commander of the central body of a tradional Ethiopian armed force. [1]
- Fitawrari (ፊትአውራሪ, Commander of the Vanguard), a military title meaning commander of the vanguard of a tradional Ethiopian armed force. [1]
- Grazmach (Commander of the Left Wing) a military title meaning commander of the left wing of a tradional Ethiopian armed force. [1]
- Qegnazmach (Commander of the Right wing) a military title meaning commander of the right wing of a tradional Ethiopian armed force. [1]
- Asmach (Commander of the Rearguard) a military title meaning commander of the rearguard of a tradional Ethiopian armed force. This was usually a trustworthy counselor and the leader's chief minister. [1]
- Balambaras (Commander of an Amba or fortress), these could also be commanders of the guards, artillery or cavalry of a tradional Ethiopian armed force, a man entrusted with important military commands. [1]
Traditionally the governors of the provinces were at the head of their local provincial or district armed force and levy. Depending on the importance of their locality they were called Dejazmach Negarit, Degiac Negarit or Degiac. A Degiac was the commander of a unit equivalent to a regiment, composed of two to three thousand men.
The traditional army units were organzed on the decimal system and the titles of their commanders, the Basciai, reflected this organization:
- Shaleqa (Commander of a Thousand), later as modern military organization was adopted it came to mean the commanding officer of a Battalion [2] or Major. [3]
- Shambel (Commander of Two Hundred fifty), later as modern military organization was adopted it came to mean the commanding officer of a Company [4] or a Captain. [5]
- Metoaleqa (Commander of One Hundred), later as modern military organization was adopted it came to mean commander of a platoon [6] or lieutenant. [7]
- Amsa Aleqa as modern military organization was adopted this rank came to be that of an NCO commander of a platoon. [8]
- Ila Ammist Aleqa as modern military organization was adopted this rank came to be that of an NCO. [9]
- Asiraleqa (Commander of Ten), later as modern military organization was adopted it came to mean squad leader [10] or Corporal. [11]
These ranks have been retained in the modern army, the upper rank titles of the army follow the European model.
References
- ^ a b c d e f Ethiopia Military Tradition in National Life Library of Congress
- ^ Mockler, Anthony, Haile Selassie's War. New York: Olive Branch Press. pg. xxiii
- ^ Milkias, The Battle of Adwa, pg. xii
- ^ Mockler, Anthony, Haile Selassie's War. New York: Olive Branch Press, 2003. pg. xxiii
- ^ Milkias, The Battle of Adwa, pg. xii
- ^ "La preparazione abissina", Articoli ...
- ^ Milkias, The Battle of Adwa, pg. xii
- ^ "La preparazione abissina", Articoli ...
- ^ "La preparazione abissina", Articoli ...
- ^ "La preparazione abissina", Articoli ...
- ^ Milkias, The Battle of Adwa, pg. xi
Sources
- Mockler, Anthony, Haile Selassie's War. New York: Olive Branch Press, 2003. ISBN 1-56656-473-5
- Paulos Milkias, Maimire Mennasemay, Getachew Metaferia, The Battle of Adwa: Reflections on Ethiopia's Historic Victory Against European Colonialism, Algora Publishing, 2005. ISBN 0875864139
- "La preparazione abissina", Articoli tratti da Cronache illustrate dell'azione italiana in A.O., Tuminelli e C. Editori, Roma, 1936. [1]