The phenomenal Ethiopian Empress Taytu Betul a main cog and master strategist behind the battle that humiliated the Italians in 1896

EmperessTaytu Betul, whose name means ‘sunshine’ continues to be hailed as “the Light of Ethiopia”.

With King Menelik’s ascent to imperial throne, Taytu became empress of Ethiopia in 1889, and in that capacity became a valuable advisor to him. He would consult her prior to making important decisions and due to her intelligence and loyalty for the throne and her country; he endorsed her views and proposals in administrative, political, military as well as foreign affairs.

Menelik who often prevaricated and postponed unpleasant decisions found it useful to have his wife be in a powerful enough position to say “absolutely not” to people and issues he just didn’t want to personally refuse. As the most powerful woman in the land, Taytu handled the role very well which earned her many haters and critics while Menelik kept enjoying the love of the people.

She bravely stood up and motivated men against retreat and mobilized thousands of women and encouraged them to take part in the fighting and care for the wounded soldiers.

All these women and the non-combatant men that she mobilized were armed with spears, shields and swords to participate in the actual fighting in time of need.

Taytu made a remarkable contribution to the war effort when she proposed to besiege the Italian fort at Makelle by controlling their water supply which was approved by the Emperor. Although it was not easy to convince the Ethiopian soldiers that controlling the water source would be a more effective tactic than attacking the fort, 900 men from the Empress’s contingent went on to execute her plan.

Taytu’s plan worked and the Italians suffered from shortage of water and surrendered their partially completed fort in a city which they had occupied since 1895, to Ethiopian forces.

Throughout the assault on the Italian troops, Taytu was on the frontline in the battlefield commanding her own contingent of about 5000 infantry and 600 mounted troops.

The Empress also received and analyzed intelligence information which has been characterized as of crucial importance to the Ethiopian victory at the battle. This information enabled Ethiopian soldiers to attack the Italians at Adwa instead of Adigrat where the Italians had a well-protected military base.

When the war ended with the Battle of Adwa, the Italians suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of a united Ethiopia. There is no doubt that Empress Taytu’s intellectual and physical contribution led to this historical victory of an indigenous African army putting a definitive stop to a colonizing nation’s efforts.

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