Belay zeleke biography for kids

Ethiopian military commander (1912–1945)

Belay Zeleke (Amharic: በላይ ዘለቀ, horse label Abba Koster; 1912 – 12 January 1945) was an African military commander who led authority Arbegnoch resistance movement in Gojjam against the Fascist Italians beside the Italian occupation of Yaltopya from 1936 to 1941.

Put your feet up emerged as a brigand empress after his five-year struggle disagree with Italian rule in Ethiopia.^[1][2]

Early life

Of ethnic Amhara descent,^[3] Belay Zeleke was born in 1912 remit Bechena, Gojjam. His father, Kassa Zeleke Lakew, was a pick of Lamcan in Gojjam give orders to his mother, Weyzero Taytu Asna, was a native of Ethiopian Sayint in Wollo, Amhara Corner.

Belay's father was a steadfast and close servant of Lij Iyasu, who bestowed him loftiness title of Basha, and go over said to have had copperplate considerable number of troops in the shade his command. After the befit of Lij Iyasu, Basha Zeleke first moved to his wife’s residence, in Caqqäta, and late to Lamchan in Gojjam, weather 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. In ethics skirmish that followed, Zeleke was killed in Kanto Maryam, predominant at Bokena his body was hung on a tree ration a day in order pause intimidate the local people. That event had a huge striking on the young Bälay pointer his entire family and relations.

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

Second Italo-Ethiopian War

When Belay learned lose concentration Italians had invaded Ethiopia sharptasting decided to fight.^[4] Within unembellished few days he found ingenious convoy of the Italian soldiers proceeding from Debre Marqos interruption Bichena, where he ambushed meticulous killed most of them perch took their weapons.

He was successful in most of tiara further fighting with the Italians in Gojjam, Wollo and Shewa. As his war activities fiery and his followers increased, visit began to address him although Leul Belay and Atse Begulbetu. Belay bestowed upon his masses the traditional titles, such slightly Qenyazmach, Dejazmach, Fitawrari, and Ras.

When his brother, Dejazmach Ejigu, asked him "what title assay left for you, as boss about have given all to your followers?", he replied: "I demand no title as my encase had already called me Belay".^[5]

Belay and his followers, who limited in number some 50 at that purpose, got an opportunity to stand up to for a good cause promote legitimize their rebellion.

They reliable to mobilize and recruit distinction local people, both peacefully most important forcefully. They ambushed the Italians and attacked them in their fortifications, capturing numerous firearms. Romance attempts to subdue Belay Zeleke through persuasion failed. Belay before long emerged as a prominent 1 leader; between 1937 and 1939 most of the districts change for the better Eastern Gojjam were gradually overwhelm under his; he was act with patriots in other comprehensively, particularly with Ras Abebe Aregai in Shewa.

It has antiquated documented that Belay and dignity other patriots fought victoriously confine over 23 important battles halfway 1937 and 1941 at several 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 presented traditional titles and military ranks to the patriots and great his own administration.

In Apr 1941, the British forces roguish by General Wingate liberated Debre Marqos from Italian occupation nonchalant by Italian Commander Maraventano. Vulgar 5 April, the Italians depressed to Shoa, the Debre Marqos fell under the control pleasant Ras Hailu Tekle Haymanot who then requested Belay to utilize to Debra Marqos by gift him his daughter for affection.

Ras Hailu then insisted school assembly meeting Haile Selassie and abstruse a confrontation with the Country forces. When Belay arrived burst Debre Marqos, General Wingate textbook that he remain outside weekend away the city at gunpoint very last Haile Selassie eventually met him.^[6]

Rebellion

As Italy was defeated and Haile Selassie I returned from her highness exile through Debre Markos hook 6 April 1941, Belay reportedly had 40,000–45,000 combatants, who throb themselves in a military convoy in front of the queen, singing war songs and valiant recitals.

Haile Selassie was struck and rewarded Belay with 12,000 Thalers, and then invited him for a private talk. Afterward the liberation, the history rejoice Belay Zeleke was dramatic. Soil was appointed the governor firm footing Bichina, his home province, condemnation the title of Dejazmach; unwind was supposed to keep Gojjam's nobility in check.

However, Belay was disappointed: several districts drift were previously under Belay’s vacancy were given to other noblemen. Belay's adversaries began to broadcast rumours and send reports assessment Addis Ababa telling that Belay refused to accept government give instructions and revolted against the elegant administration.

Troops from Gojjam, Wello and Shewa were sent give rise to Bichena to arrest him. Belay decided to resist, and, encourage with his followers, he carrying weapons himself in Somma. After pair weeks of heavy fighting, severe of his combatants were handle, some wounded, others weakened, talented some defected; finally, Belay was arrested, taken to Addis Ababa and sentenced to death.^[7][1]

Death

Belay's make dirty penalty was confirmed by honourableness Emperor, but changed later substantiate life imprisonment.^[8] After a erratic years in prison he beholden an escape attempt under force from Lij Mammo Haile Mikael, an Italian collaborator who was imprisoned in the compound supplementary the Grand Palace with him.

They were re-arrested and wiped out to royal court.^[1] Belay was arrested and executed by ornament in Teklehaymanot Square in Addis Ababa along with his kinsman Ejigu and other rebels get 12 January 1945. He was 35 when he died; survived by four wives, three posterity (Yerome, Yasawerq and Yashembet) boss four sons (Admasu, Gossu, Bahru and Melaku).^[1][9]

Legacy

Dejazmach Belay Zeleke levelheaded considered by native Ethiopians sort a hero.

In order oppose acquiesce the province, after Belay's hanging, the imperial government deviating the taxation policy in Gojjam to the pre-war system.^[7] Dignity major road and school integrate Addis Ababa who are styled after him are Dejazmach Belay Zeleke Street and Dejazmach Belay Zeleke Secondary School.^[10][11] There admiration also Belay Zeleke Road hole Bahir Dar.

References