Mereja.Forum

When they look on Africa and its freedom, then they look on Ethiopia as the pioneer of African freedom. And Ethiopian freedom has got a father in the name of Emperor Menelik II. Emperor Menelik had an enabler in the name of Gobena Dache, without whom Ethiopian unity that would going to secure its freedom and protect it against the yoke of colonialism and earn it the title of Mother of African Freedom wouldn’t have been possible. These two figures are not only Ethiopian but also African Heroes.

But then we were told lately the two are not Heroes, are rather criminals and villains, should be disparaged and those born in the region where Ras Gobena was also born were also similarly disdained and bad-mouthed. Instead of Ras Gobena the Oromo people were taught, unofficially, to celebrate a guy in the name of Baro Tumsa as their true hero. Countless Oromo patriots were similarly disdained and belittled, ignored and condemned, denied their rightful place of history.

Now Adwa Museum is trying to shed light on the true deeds of those patriots and Africans are coming to the home of the Mother of their Freedom and celebrate those patriots. They have left a lasting legacy behind, no amount of denial can take that from them!