Ras Dasta Damtaw (1892- February 26, 1937) was famous for capturing the prince Lej Iyasu, nominal ruler of Ethiopia, after his disposition in 1916. He became a provincial governor, and later led Ethiopian patriot forces against the Italian invaders from 1935 until his death in 1937.
He was the son of Fitawrari Damtaw, and in his youth was interested in the modernization of Ethipoia, travelling to both America and Europe. After fighting and capturing Lej Iyasu, he was made Fitawrari, and also governor of Gamo.
In 1925 he married Princess Tanagna Warq Hayla Selasse, eldest child of Ras Tafari, later to become Emperor Haile Selasse. Thereafter he became a Dajazmach, and governor of the provinces of Gamo, Kaffa, and Jamma. In 1933 he was made Ras (high military commander), as well as governor of Sidamo and Borana.
On the eve of the Ethiopian-Italian conflict of 1935- 1941, Dasta was appointed commander-in-chief of all the troops in southern Ethiopia. After the defeat of the Ethiopian forces at the battle of Maychaw, on March 31, 1936, and the exile of Emperor Haile Selassie, Dasta entered the forests of Sidamo, on the borders of Kenya, to resist the Italians. He continued to fight them until he was captured and shot on February 26, 1937, at Muhar in Arusi.
Dasta had learned much in his youth from his travels to America and Europe. He was interested in road building, and had connected Borana and Sidamo to Addis Ababa by good roads. He encouraged internal and foreign trade, and was also interested in the distribution of piped water in Addis Ababa.
But he was best known for his building of schools, hospitals, and churches, as well as for his generosity. He preferred, however, gradual modernization to radical change, in order to avoid alienating the conservative elements in the state.
SALOME GEBRE EGZIABHER
