In your message dated 97-09-02 03:22:17 EDT, under the subject " [DEHAI]
Reply 2: The Battle of Adwa ", you wrote, among many other topics :
> Here, let me admit that I am totally ignorant of any significant organized
> opposition by Eritreans against the chain of occupational forces. You
might
> excuse my ignorance because, so far, I only saw pieces of materials
> covering our past history. I would be glad if you (or anyone else) would
> refer to me books on the subject. Until now, innocently, I consider the
> period between the 1940 - 1990 the only time in history when Eritreans
> decided to stand up and fight for their rights.
I am not here to discuss what is "significant" or what is "organized"
opposition. But I believe that any time a people is engaged to fight and risk
lives against a foreign aggressor, the opposition is organized and definitely
significant.
Basically, the wars against Ubie, against Yohannes, and later waging an armed
struggle against the rule of Alula, and a five year war against the Italian
colonialists are documented. As a matter of fact, some unsung heroes like
Kifle Yesus Gofar pariticipated in the battle against Bariau with
Woldemichael, waged an armed struggle against Alula, refused to submit to
Yohannes with Woldemichael, continued the armed struggle and later battled
also the Italians, until time caught up with him and was captured. He died in
prison along with most Mereb Mellash Feudal Lords in the maximum prison of
Naqra in Aseb.
As requested, I am suggesting the following books on the above subject
(probably none new info.) :
(1) Kolmodin, Johannes. Traditions de Tsazzega et Hazzega.( available in
tigrigna)
(2) Perini, Ruffillo . Di qua dal Mareb
(3) Sillani, Tomaso. L'Affrica orientale italiana (Eritrea e Somalia)
(4) Rainero, Romain. L'anticolonialismo italiano da Assab ad Adua.
(1869-1896).
(5) Erlikh, Hagai. Ethiopia and Eritrea during the scramble for Africa : a
political biography of Ras Alula, 1875-1897 (didn't read the latest
edition; name change.)
There is a small book by an American geologist, who was surveying the Mereb
Mellash area for the Egyptian government, during the time that Yohannes'
occupation army was battling the united Mereb Mellash forces. He provides an
unbiased account of what was occurring when he was in the area. Don't have
book title now.
habte, (CALIF.)