Ras Alula was born in the village of Menawee, district of Tembien, Tigray northern state of Ethiopia. The exact date of his birth is unknown, but since he was on his late 60s when he died on February 1897, we can safely assume that he was born between 1839 and 1841.

What did Ras Alula do for Abyssinia?

Described by Haggai Erlich as the greatest leader whom Abyssinia produced since the death of Emperor Tewodros II in 1868, Ras Alula was referred to by Europeans as “the Garibaldi of Abyssinia”. He led many battles for the independence of Ethiopia, including Dogali and Adwa.

How many children did Alula have?

In spite of his humble background, Alula succeeded in climbing the ladder of the feudal hierarchy. He had three children by his first wife Woizero B’tweta.

How did Alula become governor of Eritrea?

Emperor Yohannes badly needed a man with these skills at the moment, for Ras Woldemichael Solomon was in revolt in Hamasien; Alula was promoted to Ras and sent to deal with this unruly aristocrat, who fled to Bogos. On 9 October 1876, the Emperor Yohannes IV made Alula governor of Mereb Mellash and Midri Bahri (today part of Eritrea).