Woldeab Woldemariam
Encyclopedia
Woldeab Woldemariam also spelled as Weldeab Weldemariam (April 27, 1905 - May 15, 1995) was one of the original proponents of the Eritrea
n Independence movement and is considered the father of Eritrea. He worked closely with Ibrahim Sultan Ali
before the Federation with Ethiopia
to secure Eritrean Independence.
Also known as the father of Eritrea, Woldeab Woldemariam was a Swedish Mission Protestant. He was born in the village of Adi Zarna in Eritrea.
(SEM) school, to teach in a village called Suzana. This was his first exposure to the Kunama people
. He was a teacher in this school through 1935 until he was moved to Asmara
.
In Asmara he was promoted to direct the entire SEM school system, which he continued to do until 1942. During this time he popularized the use of Tigrinya and published two textbooks which would remain standard texts for over twenty years.
, became an editor for the Tigrinya language newspaper. After a trip to Addis Ababa
, he became a chief opponent of unification with Ethiopia. Chief among his fears of uniting Eritrea with Ethiopia was the corruption and poverty that he saw when he visited Addis Ababa. In 1946 he brought together Christian and Muslim nationalists to advocate for the independence of Eritrea from Ethiopia.
Between 1947 and 1953 he was subjected to seven assassination attempts. After the federation with Ethiopia by the United Nations he continued to advocate Eritrean independence by creating mass organizations, particularly with the help of labor organizations.
In 1953 another attempt was made on his life, suffering injuries which left him hospitalized for five months. While in the hospital he was elected to the National Assembly, however, his election was annulled by Tedla Bairu
. After the annulment of the election he was forced to seek asylum in Egypt.
, he was not able to affect authority over political or military forces in Eritrea. It was not until 1987 and the Unity Congress of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front
that he reentered Eritrea. He was finally reunited with his family in Asmara at the close of the Eritrean war of Independence.
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
n Independence movement and is considered the father of Eritrea. He worked closely with Ibrahim Sultan Ali
Ibrahim Sultan Ali
Ibrahim Sultan Ali was one of the original proponents of the Eritrean Independence movement. Ibrahim was born in the city of Keren where he was educated in Islamic and Italian schools. He worked closely with Woldeab Woldemariam before the Federation with Ethiopia to secure Eritrean Independence...
before the Federation with Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
to secure Eritrean Independence.
Also known as the father of Eritrea, Woldeab Woldemariam was a Swedish Mission Protestant. He was born in the village of Adi Zarna in Eritrea.
Teaching
In 1931 he was assigned by his then employer, the Swedish Evangelical MissionSwedish Evangelical Mission
The Swedish Evangelical Mission is an independent organisation within the Church of Sweden. SEM cooperates with independent churches, Christian councils and other partners in Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Malawi, the Sudan and Tanzania...
(SEM) school, to teach in a village called Suzana. This was his first exposure to the Kunama people
Kunama people
The Kunama are a Nilotic people living in Eritrea and Ethiopia. 80% of Kunamas live in Eritrea yet make up only 2 percent of the population of Eritrea, where they are one of the smallest ethnic groups. Most of the estimated 100,000 Kunama live in the remote and isolated area between the Gash and...
. He was a teacher in this school through 1935 until he was moved to Asmara
Asmara
Asmara is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people...
.
In Asmara he was promoted to direct the entire SEM school system, which he continued to do until 1942. During this time he popularized the use of Tigrinya and published two textbooks which would remain standard texts for over twenty years.
Political career
In 1942 he left the SEM and at the behest of the British Military AdministrationBritish Military Administration
The British Military Administration was the interim administrator of British Malaya between the end of World War II and the establishment of the Malayan Union in 1946. Specifically, the entity lasted from September 1945 to April 1946...
, became an editor for the Tigrinya language newspaper. After a trip to Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
, he became a chief opponent of unification with Ethiopia. Chief among his fears of uniting Eritrea with Ethiopia was the corruption and poverty that he saw when he visited Addis Ababa. In 1946 he brought together Christian and Muslim nationalists to advocate for the independence of Eritrea from Ethiopia.
Between 1947 and 1953 he was subjected to seven assassination attempts. After the federation with Ethiopia by the United Nations he continued to advocate Eritrean independence by creating mass organizations, particularly with the help of labor organizations.
In 1953 another attempt was made on his life, suffering injuries which left him hospitalized for five months. While in the hospital he was elected to the National Assembly, however, his election was annulled by Tedla Bairu
Tedla Bairu
Tedla Bairu was an Eritrean political figure. He was the last independent head of state of Eritrea in 1952. He was then the first Chief Executive of Eritrea from 1952 in federation with Ethiopia, until he resigned in 1955. He was described as an "opportunist" by his opponents for his unwavering...
. After the annulment of the election he was forced to seek asylum in Egypt.
Struggle for Independence
During the Eritrean War of IndependenceEritrean War of Independence
The Eritrean War of Independence was a conflict fought between the Ethiopian government and Eritrean separatists, both before and during the Ethiopian Civil War. The war started when Eritrea’s autonomy within Ethiopia, where troops were already stationed, was unilaterally revoked...
, he was not able to affect authority over political or military forces in Eritrea. It was not until 1987 and the Unity Congress of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front
Eritrean People's Liberation Front
The Eritrean People's Liberation Front was an armed organization that fought for the independence of Eritrea from Ethiopia. It emerged in 1970 as an intellectual left-wing group that split from the Eritrean Liberation Front .-Background:...
that he reentered Eritrea. He was finally reunited with his family in Asmara at the close of the Eritrean war of Independence.
Quotes
- "Up to now, I have never served nor become a messenger for any foreign power or interest. I am an enemy to any kind of slavery, in all its shapes and colors. No man, be he European or African, can force me into the yoke of any kind of bondage. If there be some one who dares to attempt my assassination in order to force me to submit to doing things contrary to my feeling and will, then I also have in me the courage to die for my political beliefs, for the cause of liberty of my country, and for the genuine interest of my brothers and sisters."
- "I always said, 'I am not a Christian, I am not a highlander. I am an Eritrean.'"