Ethiopian Arms & Weapons

Overview

Ethiopia (historically the Kingdom of Aksum, then various successor states including the Solomonic dynasty and the modern Empire) is one of the few African nations that successfully resisted European colonization, in part due to its ability to acquire and field modern weapons. Its military tradition blends ancient indigenous arms with cannons and rifles obtained through trade and diplomacy.

Traditional Weapons

• Shotel — A distinctively curved Ethiopian sword with a deeply recurved blade designed to reach around a shield to strike an opponent's back or side; one of the most unusual sword forms in the world
• Spear (hansha/metsa) — Long thrusting spears were the primary infantry weapon across Ethiopian history
• Shield (gasha) — Large round shields of hippopotamus or buffalo hide, highly resistant to both cuts and early firearms
• Bow — Used by some highland and lowland peoples; not the primary weapon of the warrior class

Firearms and the Battle of Adwa (1896)

Ethiopia's defeat of the Italian invasion at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 — the most significant African military victory over a European colonial force — was made possible by Emperor Menelik II's acquisition of large quantities of modern European firearms through French and Russian diplomatic channels.

Ethiopian forces at Adwa fielded:

• Remington Rolling Block rifles — Single-shot breech-loaders; the primary Ethiopian infantry arm
• Gras rifles — French bolt-action; acquired in large numbers
• Vetterli rifles — Swiss/Italian bolt-action
• Artillery — A small but effective collection of Krupp and other European field guns

20th Century

Ethiopia was invaded by Italy again in 1935–36, this time successfully — Italian forces used poison gas and air power against Ethiopian defenders armed with WWI-era rifles. Ethiopia was liberated in 1941 with British assistance and subsequently received American and later Soviet military aid during the Cold War.

This article is a stub. Contributions covering specific weapons, battles, and Ethiopian military history are welcome.