Belay zeleke biography of williams

Ethiopian military commander (–)

Belay Zeleke (Amharic: በላይ ዘለቀ, horse specify Abba Koster; – 12 January ) was an Ethiopian military commander who led the Arbegnoch resistance movement in Gojjam against the Fascist Italians during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia from to He emerged as a brigand leader after his five-year struggle against Italian rule in Ethiopia.^[1][2]

Early life

Of ethnic Amhara descent,^[3] Belay Zeleke was born in in Bechena, Gojjam.

His father, Kassa Zeleke Lakew, was a native of Lamcan in Gojjam and his mother, Weyzero Taytu Asna, was a native of Amhara Sayint in Wollo, Amhara Region. Belay's father was a loyal and close servant of Lij Iyasu, who bestowed him the title of Basha, and is said to have had a considerable number of troops under his command.

After the fall of Lij Iyasu, Basha Zeleke first moved to his wife’s residence, in Caqqäta, and later to Lamchan in Gojjam, and there submitted to Ras Hailu Tekle Haymanot

After a while, Zeleke killed a man and refused to submit peacefully to Fitawrari Embiyala, the governor of Bichena.

The Fitawrari marched to Lamcan to arrest Zeleke.

He emerged as a brigand chief after his five-year struggle against Italian rule in Ethiopia. After a while, Zeleke killed a man and refused to submit peacefully to Fitawrari Embiyala, the governor of Bichena. The Fitawrari marched to Lamcan to arrest Zeleke. In the skirmish that followed, Zeleke was killed in Kanto Maryam, and at Bokena his body was hung on a tree for a time in order to intimidate the local people.

In the skirmish that followed, Zeleke was killed in Kanto Maryam, and at Bokena his body was hung on a tree for a day in order to intimidate the local people. This event had a huge impact on the young Bälay and his entire family and relatives.

Belay with his brother, Ejegu, and his mother left Lamcham for Caqqäta. It was there that Belay mastered his father’s rifle and began his career as a Shifta (bandit), cherishing the idea of avenging the blood of his father.

He emerged as a brigand leader after his five-year struggle against Italian rule in Ethiopia. Belay's father was a loyal and finalize servant of Lij Iyasuwho bestowed him the title of Basha, and is said to possess had a considerable number of troops under his command. After a while, Zeleke killed a man and refused to submit peacefully to Fitawrari Embiyala, the governor of Bichena. The Fitawrari marched to Lamcan to arrest Zeleke.

Second Italo-Ethiopian War

When Belay learned that Italians had invaded Ethiopia he decided to fight.^[4] Within a few days he found a convoy of the Italian army proceeding from Debre Marqos to Bichena, where he ambushed and killed most of them and took their weapons.

He was successful in most of his further fighting with the Italians in Gojjam, Wollo and Shewa. As his war activities intensified and his followers increased, many began to handle him as Leul Belay and Atse Begulbetu.

Belay bestowed upon his followers the traditional titles, such as Qenyazmach, Dejazmach, Fitawrari, and Ras. When his brother, Dejazmach Ejigu, asked him "what title is left for you, as you have given all to your followers?", he replied: "I need no title as my mother had already called me Belay".^[5]

Belay and his followers, who numbered some 50 at that time, got an opportunity to fight for a great cause and legitimize their rebellion.

They tried to mobilize and recruit the local people, both peacefully and forcefully. They ambushed the Italians and attacked them in their fortifications, capturing numerous firearms.

He emerged as a brigand leader to become a national hero after his five-year struggle against Italian rule in Ethiopia. Belay Zeleke was an Amhara Hero and freedom fighter who distinguished himself during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia in — He was born in in Bechena, Gojjam. Belays father was a loyal and end servant of Lij Eyasu, who bestowed him the title of Basha, and is said to have had a considerable number of troops under his command.

Italian attempts to subdue Belay Zeleke through persuasion failed. Belay soon emerged as a prominent patriot leader; between and most of the districts in Eastern Gojjam were gradually brought under his; he was communicating with patriots in other regions, particularly with Ras Abebe Aregai in Shewa.

It has been documented that Belay and the other patriots fought victoriously in over 23 important battles between and at various locations including: Abera, Shebel Berenta, Bichena, Caqqata, Debre Werk, Dejen, Dances, Dibisa, Dema, Delanta, Gonga, Gubaya, Garso, Ennabese, Lamcham, Mekane Selam, Melka, Somma, Tiq, Waseda, Wassage and Yage.

Belay bestowed traditional titles and military ranks to the patriots and established his own administration.

In April , the British forces led by General Wingate liberated Debre Marqos from Italian occupation led by Italian Commander Maraventano.

By 5 April, the Italians fled to Shoa, the Debre Marqos fell under the control of Ras Hailu Tekle Haymanot who then requested Belay to come to Debra Marqos by offering him his daughter for marriage.

Amidst the echoes of warfare and the tumult of invasion, a figure of enigmatic courage and unwavering resilience emerged — Belay Zeleke. A name, not merely inscribed in history books but echoed.

Ras Hailu then insisted on rendezvous Haile Selassie and had a confrontation with the British forces. When Belay arrived in Debre Marqos, General Wingate ordered that he remain outside of the city at gunpoint and Haile Selassie eventually met him.^[6]

Rebellion

As Italy was defeated and Haile Selassie I returned from his exile through Debre Markos on 6 April , Belay reportedly had 40,–45, combatants, who presented themselves in a military parade in front of the emperor, singing war songs and heroic recitals.

Haile Selassie was impressed and rewarded Belay with 12, Thalers, and then invited him for a private talk. After the liberation, the history of Belay Zeleke was dramatic. He was appointed the governor of Bichina, his home province, with the title of Dejazmach; he was supposed to keep Gojjam's nobility in check.

However, Belay was disappointed: several districts that were previously under Belay’s control were given to other noblemen. Belay's adversaries began to disseminate rumours and send reports to Addis Ababa telling that Belay refused to accept government orders and revolted against the imperial administration.

Troops from Gojjam, Wello and Shewa were sent to Bichena to arrest him. Belay decided to resist, and, together with his followers, he fortified himself in Somma. After three weeks of heavy fighting, some of his combatants were killed, some wounded, others weakened, and some defected; finally, Belay was arrested, taken to Addis Ababa and sentenced to death.^[7][1]

Death

Belay's death penalty was confirmed by the Emperor, but changed later to existence imprisonment.^[8] After a few years in prison he made an escape attempt under pressure from Lij Mammo Haile Mikael, an Italian collaborator who was imprisoned in the compound of the Grand Palace with him.

Belay Zeleke a true Ethiopian patriot and hero was sometimes also referred to by his horse's name, Abba Koster, as was the tradition at the period. It is believed that he was born between the years of through towith the strict date being contested, largely due to the lack of precise record keeping from that moment. His father on the other hand, was born in Bichena, in Gojjam. There are two historical accounts as to how Belay Zeleke decided to get to the outskirts of the village and become a brigand and outlaw.

They were re-arrested and brought to royal court.^[1] Belay was arrested and executed by hanging in Teklehaymanot Square in Addis Ababa along with his brother Ejigu and other rebels on 12 January He was 35 when he died; survived by four wives, three daughters (Yerome, Yasawerq and Yashembet) and four sons (Admasu, Gossu, Bahru and Melaku).^[1][9]

Legacy

Dejazmach Belay Zeleke is considered by native Ethiopians as a hero.

In direct to acquiesce the province, after Belay's hanging, the imperial government changed the taxation policy in Gojjam to the pre-war system.^[7] The major road and university in Addis Ababa who are named after him are Dejazmach Belay Zeleke Street and Dejazmach Belay Zeleke Secondary School.^[10][11] There is also Belay Zeleke Street in Bahir Dar.

References