Ras Alula
Ras Alula Engida (Ge'ez: ራስ አሉላ እንግዳ) (1827 – 1897; also known by his horse name Abba Nega and by Alula Qubi) was a general and Ethiopian politician. He was one of the important leaders of the Ethiopian armies of the 19th century and was described by Haggai Erlich as the greatest leader whom Abyssinia produced since the death of Emperor Tewodros II in 1868, and was referred to by Europeans as "the Garibaldi of Abyssinia". He participated in many battles for the independence of Ethiopia, most importantly Dogali and Adwa.
Early years
Alula was born in Mennawe, a village in Tembien, 15 miles south of Abiy Addi, 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 going. "To the Castle of Ras Alula Wadi Qubi," they mockingly replied. "Thereafter," concludes Erlich, "his friends and the people of Mannawe nicknamed him Ras Alula."
