Workitu Betul

Ethiopian warrior queen who resisted Italian colonialism and preserved national sovereignty

Workitu Betul (1883-1950) was an Ethiopian princess and military leader whose courageous resistance against Italian colonial forces during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935-1941) made her a symbol of African resistance. As commander of the Gondar garrison, she led 3,000 troops in a 14-month siege against vastly superior Italian forces, using innovative tactics like flooding the surrounding area to hinder enemy movements. Her strategic defense of the ancient Fasil Ghebbi fortress complex preserved Ethiopia's cultural heritage while inspiring global anti-colonial movements. Though ultimately defeated, her defiance delayed Italian occupation and provided intelligence that later aided British forces. Workitu's story is preserved in the Ethiopian National Museum (https://www.ethiopianmuseum.org) and her legacy lives on in the annual Timket festival celebrations.