“Does Adwa have a Colonial Legacy? Assessing the viability of the Colonial Thesis for Understanding Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century Ethiopia”

For many, the Ethiopian victory at Adwa was an African over European colonialism, but some scholars have reimagined triumph as example of colonialism in recent years. This view culminates colonial thesis. thesis casts Menilek II Shäwa (r.1888-1913) a colonizer Southern groups present-day Ethiopia and posits his state foreign power. is one theoretical underpinnings present ethnic federalism many ethnolinguistic nationalist movements. One ways that it impacts identities, scholar Maimire Mennasemay puts it, “. . ontologizes identity falsely represents collection discrete, communities, brought together by ‘Amhara colonialism.’” The Mahmoud Mamdani builds on this arguing transforming identities (politicizing nativity) essential governing empires. In other words, government invented settlers natives their territories treated them accordingly. essence, essay details were produced result Ethiopia’s argues while oppression accompanied conquest North, East, West, South Menilek’s native Shäwan province, did not produce to make power exclusive for group displayed both participation battle administration preserved.