Bahta Hagos

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Bahta Hagos (Ge'ez: ባህታ ሃጎስ) was considered an important leader of Eritreaan resistance to foreign domination.^[1] He was born in the mid-1800's in the town of Segeneiti and was killed in a battle against the Italian Colonial Army on 1894-12-19.

Bahta originally gained recognition when he killed Embaye Araya son of Ras Araya, an Ethiopian Governor in 1875.^[2] He was killed in an skirmish precipitated by raiding of the area.^[1]

In 1885, with increasing influence of the Italians, and their control of Massawa, Bahta moved to ally himself with them. This was done in the hope that Eritreans would be able to maintain a certain amount of independence, at least more so than under Ethiopian influence.^[1] By 1889 is own forces formed an important flank in the Italian moves to create the Colony of Eritrea. Bahta became increasingly frustrated with the conduct of the Italian Colonial Government and their soldiers. In 1894 he lead his force of 1,600 men in revolt against the Itlaians. His revolt failed and he was killed in the battle.

Because of his influence, after his death his burial was banned by the Italian Colonial government.^[3] They feared that his memorial would be nexus for further rebellion. His body was secretly buried at Halai, and later moved to Segeneiti in 1953. In 2007 he was laid to rest once more in a newly constructed memorial with an honor guard in memorium to his struggle.^[3]

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c Killion, Tom (1998). Historical Dictionary of Eritrea. The Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0810834375.
^ Caulk, RA. "Bad men of the Borders: Shum and Shifta in North Ethiopia in the 19th century". 2nd Annual Seminar of Department of History.
^ ^a ^b "Skeletal Remains Of Degiat Bahta Hagos Laid To Rest", Eritrea Profile, Ministry of Information, 2007-03-10. Retrieved on 2007-03-11.