Rekindling spirit of Adwa Victory to propel Ethiopia’s Progress, says a Pan-African artist

Addis Ababa, February 22, 2024 (FBC) – Jamaican-born Ethiopian curator and Pan-African artist, Desta Meghoo (J.D.) passionately urged Ethiopians to harness the enduring spirit of the Adwa victory to address contemporary challenges and propel the nation towards a brighter future.

Meghoo, who serves as a curator of the Pan-African Wing at Addis Ababa University, views the newly unveiled Adwa Victory Memorial Museum not just as a monument, but as a beacon of hope and unity, not only for Ethiopia but also for Africa and beyond.

She emphasized the need to reignite the true love for humanity, country, and the spirit of unity exemplified by the heroes of Adwa.

“What needs to be restored,” she asserts, “is that true sense of love of country, love of each other. It doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything.”

Recognizing the symbolic significance of Adwa, Meghoo stresses the Adwa Memorial is important and we have a duty to recognize the impact of that event, not just the event itself.

Meghoo urged Ethiopians, especially the youth, to appreciate their rich heritage and draw lessons from the Battle of Adwa.

The memorial, she believes, should serve as a constant reminder of past struggles and sacrifices, motivating them to carry forward the torch of unity and love for their nation.

She further elaborated “That very battle has allowed us to feel free inside and the significance of the memorial is more for Ethiopians because so many times we have gold in our hand and we think it is dust. So this move to put this memorial here is crucial for the next generations of Ethiopians and especially existing generations to appreciate because Ethiopia is massive.”

Meghoo underscores the profound connection between Adwa and the Pan-African movement.

While acknowledging the significance of earlier victories against colonialism in Haiti and South Africa, she emphasized the decisive nature of Adwa, which served as a resounding affirmation of Black self-determination and the fight against oppression.

Therefore, the 1896 Victory of Adwa propelled the Pan-African movement forward because “it was an affirmation and the confirmation” to what should be done to protect national sovereignty, which is so precious, she stressed.

Speaking of women’s participation, Meghoo highlighted the crucial role women played in Adwa, led by the formidable Empress Taytu and countless others.

“Women were an integral part of the victory,” she recalled, “and this speaks to the spirit of Africa and Ethiopia. We are a highly social people,”she said.

This battle, she argued, served as a pivotal moment in recognizing and upholding the power of women and this value should continue.

While acknowledging the cultural and economic potential of the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, Meghoo urged Ethiopians to look beyond mere celebration and delve into deeper introspection.

In an interview with ENA, she emphasized the need to learn from history, address internal challenges, and utilize resources for sustainable development. Only then, she believes, can the spirit of Adwa truly translates into progress and prosperity.

“Having this museum here is another place for visiting and learning,” she added. “We have 100-plus million people in Ethiopia. Imagine, the revenues if 10 percent of the population are visiting this memorial on an annual basis,” she said.