Geographical imagination as portrayed in contemporary Ethiopian creative works that feature the Battle of Adwa

Abstract

In the late 19th century, Ethiopia defeated Italy in the mountainous area of Adwa. The Battle of Adwa was a pivotal moment in Ethiopian history. It was a decisive victory for the Ethiopian army against the invading force. The battle has become a symbol of Ethiopian resistance to foreign rule and serves as a source of national pride for Ethiopians to this day. Historians interpret this landmark victory in historical terms. However, this article argues that geographical ideas help interpret Adwa. The purpose of this study is to understand Adwa using geographical concepts. The results show that the works imagine the time before the battle of Adwa as biblical Ethiopia and a temporarily disturbing nature. The battlefield is depicted as a spiritual landscape and a grain of wheat. The significance of Adwa is transfigured as a boundless space and a flowing river. The study concludes that the time before the battle, the battle, and the victory of Awa are geographically reconstructed, where the spirit of the times comes into play. Although Ethiopia had less technology during the Battle of Adwa, it emerged victorious. In the minds of Ethiopians, the Battle of Adwa is a symbol of bravery, resilience, and national pride. It represents a moment when Ethiopian forces stood their ground against a powerful foreign invader and were victorious. The geographical features of Adwa, from the rolling hills to the sacred sites, reinforce this powerful symbolism and help keep the memory of the battle alive in the national consciousness. It follows that Ethiopian literature should edify citizens about military science, technology, geography, and biology to counter Ethiopia's imagined enemies.