Asnakebet Gerssa

Ethiopian warrior queen who led resistance against Italian colonial forces during the 1930s

Asnakebet Gerssa (1900-1975) was an Oromo warrior and political leader who became legendary for her role in Ethiopia's resistance against Italian colonialism. Born into a warrior family in the Wellega region, she learned combat skills from her father and later became a commander in the Ethiopian army. During the Second Italo-Abyssinian War (1935-1936), she led 5000 troops in the Battle of Chelenqo, where her forces ambushed Italian supply lines using guerrilla tactics. The historical records note her innovative use of terrain and local knowledge to outmaneuver superior forces. After Italy's occupation, she continued resistance efforts through underground networks, smuggling weapons and intelligence across borders. Her memoir 《Voices of the Ethiopian Earth》 provides firsthand accounts of these struggles. Though overshadowed in mainstream history, recent scholarship like this British Museum exhibit recognizes her as a key figure in African anti-colonial movements. Her legacy is celebrated annually during Ethiopia's Resistance Day commemorations.