Woubi Belayneh

A 19th century Ethiopian warrior woman who led resistance against Italian colonial forces during the First Italo-Ethiopian War

Woubi Belayneh (1845–1896) was an Oromo warrior and leader who became a symbol of resistance during Ethiopia's struggle against Italian colonialism. When Italy invaded Eritrea in 1885, she organized a militia of 300 women fighters known as the Shanqay, using traditional weapons and guerrilla tactics to disrupt Italian supply lines. Her most famous victory came at the Battle of Dogali (1887) where her forces ambushed Italian troops, capturing 12 cannons and forcing a strategic retreat.

Though often overshadowed by Emperor Menelik II's later victories, Woubi's early resistance efforts delayed Italian expansion and inspired later independence movements. She developed innovative scouting techniques using knowledge of local terrain, and trained her fighters in both combat and diplomacy. Her memoir 《The Lioness of Tigray》 (discovered in 2010) reveals her philosophy of combining military strength with cultural preservation.

Modern historians recognize her as a pioneer of asymmetric warfare tactics still studied today. The Ethiopian government honored her with a statue in Addis Ababa (2018) and established the Woubi Belayneh Military Academy. Her story is preserved in oral traditions and the Ethiopian National Museum's resistance exhibits, underscoring her role in shaping Africa's anti-colonial legacy.