BALAY ZALAQA
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Balay Zalaqa (1895/96-January 11, 1948) was a brigand chief in Gojam province, and later a Patriot leader who fought against the Italians during their occupation of Ethiopia from 1936-41.
He was born of humble origins. His mother was Wayzaro Tayetu Assané, and his father was Ato Zalaga Lagaw of Borana in Wallo province. In his youth, he accidentally killed his uncle, Ato Nagash Assan, and left home to escape punishment. He established himself with his wife and younger brother in the lowlands on the right bank of the Abbay river, also called the Blue Nile, in southern Gojam, and became a brigand chief. He was joined by the younger members of his family and by other offenders against the law. Thus the number of his followers increased considerably during the 15 years of his exile before the Italian occupation in 1936.
During the Italian occupation. Balay appeared in Dabra Marqos, the provincial capital, and made a show of submission to the Italian appointee in Bichana in southeast Gojam. His appearance in the town, however, led people to attribute all crimes to him, and by July 1936 he was attacked by a small force of Italian troops. He repulsed the attack, and hanged the leader. The incident began his open struggle against the Italians, establishing him as a leader of the many patriots who afterwards joined him. Subsequently, the whole province of Gojam rebelled against the Italians.
As a patriot leader, Lej Balay was nicknamed “Abba Qostir,” meaning “the serious one.” As his activities intensified and his following increased, many began to refer to him as “Atse Bagulbatu,” meaning “self-made emperor,” for he bestowed upon his followers titles ranking from Balambaras (a lesser military title once given to an officer in command of a fort) to Ras (denoting a high military commander), as Ethiopian emperors would do.
Throughout the occupation he attacked Italian columns and fortresses between Bichana and Dabra Margos. He was also one of those who rejected Italian overtures for negotiations in 1939, although he is said, for tactical reasons, to have paid homage to Ras Haylu Takla Haymonot in 1940, when the Italians tried to get as many Patriots as possible on their side in order to gain time.
On the restoration of independence in 1941, Emperor Haile SELASSIE [reigned 1930-74] gave him the title of Dajazmach, and made him governor of a district of Gojam. Dajazmach Balay, however, was not satisfied, and rebelled. He was thrown into prison, from which he tried to escape, and was thereupon hanged.
TSEHAI BERHANE SELLASSIE
