Heroes and Heroines

Gedewon (15?-1624) was ruler of the Falasha (Ethiopians of Jewish faith) for almost 40 years, from 1586-1624. He was the kinsman of Gushan or Gwashan,...

Lalibala (later 12th-earlier 13th centuries) ruled as emperor of Ethiopia from about 1182 to at least 1225, and possibly later. He later became a saint...

Ali Gwangul (17?-1788), known as Ali the Great, was the founder of a Galla dynasty of Rases (high commanders) who controlled much of what was...

Ahmad Ibn Ibrahim (1506-1543), nicknamed Grāñ, meaning the left-handed, was the leader of the 16th-century Muslim conquest of Ethiopia. He was born in the state...

Alaqa Aganaw Engeda (1903-1948) was a leading 20th-century Ethiopian artist and poet. Born in Mahedara Maryam in Bagemder province, he was educated in the customary...

Abraha (6th century AD) was an Aksumite general who became viceroy of South Arabia. He established his seat of government at the city of San’a’,...

Abara Kassa (1905-December 21, 1936) was a commander of Ethiopian forces during the Italian invasion of 1935-36. He played a leading role in the abortive...

Lebna Dengel (1496-September 2, 1540) was emperor of Ethiopia from 1508-40. During his reign the Muslim sultanate of Adal, under the leadership of Ahmad ibn...

Abdullahi Ali Abd Es-Shakur (18?-1930) was the last emir of Harar, ruling from 1885-87. The son of Muhammad Abd. Es-Shakur, emir of Harar from 1856-75,...

Ras Ababa Aragay (August 18. 1903-December 15, 1960) emerged as a hero of resistance to foreign rule during the five-year Italian occupation of Ethiopia (1936-41)....