Ras Alula Engida

Ras Alula Engida, an Ethiopian general and politician, led his country's forces to victory in conflicts with Egypt, Italy, and the Mahdists. Throughout the 19th century, he was one of the most significant commanders of the army of the Ethiopian Empire. Ras Alula was referred to by Europeans as "the Garibaldi of Ethiopia," according to Haggai Erlich, who calls him "the finest leader Ethiopia produced since the death of Emperor Tewodros II in 1868."

With his first wife Woizero B'tweta, he had three kids. His second marriage was solely for political reasons, to improve his legitimacy with the local aristocracy, who did not hide their disapproval at seeing the son of a peasant reach this stature, but he divorced his wife and married Woizero Amlesu Araya, daughter of Ras Araya Dimtsu, the powerful and much-respected uncle of Emperor Yohannes IV.

In the Battles of Gundert and Gura, fought in November 1875 and March 1876, respectively, Alula displayed his military prowess by routining the Egyptian army. Ras Woldemichael Solomon was in uprising in Hamasien at the time, and Emperor Yohannes desperately required a man with these abilities. Alula was appointed to Ras and ordered to deal with this troublesome aristocracy, who escaped to Bogos. Emperor Yohannes IV appointed Alula as governor of Mereb Mellash and Midri Bahri on October 9th, 1876.

(1827-1897)