Balcha (1862-November 5, 1936) was a famous Ethiopian military leaders and provincial governor.
Of unknown parentage he came from Gurage province. He was castrated and taken prisoner in his youth in one of the expeditions of Menilek II (q.v.) (reigned 1889-1913). He grew up at the imperial court, where he received his primary education.
His career began when he became treasurer of the Imperial court but he achieved fame when he showed exceptional talent in the use artillery during the Italo-Ethiopian war of 1895-1896. After the War he received the title of Dajazmach and the governorship of Sidamo province. Subsequently he commanded a great army campaign of 1896. He paraded through Addis Ababa with 13,000 riflemen.
Balcha was transferred to Harar province in 1908 but since he disliked Menilek’s heir, Lej Iyasu (q.v.), nominal ruler of Ethiopia from 1909-1916, he was alleged to have mishandled customs duties. He was removed in 1910 but was later reinstated in Sidamo.
In 1916 he participated in the deposition of Lej Iyasu, and when Iyasu attempted to resist, defeated him at Harar. He did not wholly accept thew succeeding regime, and occasionally defied its orders.
He was finally removed from politics in 1928 by Ras Tafari, later Emperor Haile Selassie (q.v.) (reigned 1930 -1974), retiring toa monastery for seven years. He reappeared to fight in defense of his country against the Italians and died in battle in 1936.
Balcha was a talented soldier who achieved high position by merit alone. He was religious, patriotic and brave, but was neither a diplomat nor a politician.
BAIRU TAFLA
