Bahta Hagos

Who is Bahta Hagos?

Bahta Hagos was a Dejazmach (regional chief) of Akkele Guzay in the eastern highlands of what became Italian-ruled Eritrea, born into a cattle-farming family in the town of Segheneyti. He first gained local prominence in the 1870s and, under Italian colonial administration established in 1890, was regarded as one of the colony's most loyal and capable chiefs, controlling Akkele Guzay and supplying forces that helped the Italians consolidate their new colony. Over time he grew increasingly frustrated with Italian rule, particularly the expropriation of land traditionally held by the clergy and local communities. In December 1894 he broke openly with the Italians, leading roughly 1,600 men in revolt, capturing the Italian administrator at Segheneyti and declaring the province independent, reportedly telling his followers that the Italians had seized their land and that it was time to "be our own masters." He then marched north to attack the Italian garrison at the fort of Halai. During the resulting Battle of Halai, Italian reinforcements under Major Pietro Toselli struck his forces from the rear, and Bahta Hagos was killed on 19 December 1894. His revolt is remembered as the first major armed uprising of Eritreans against Italian colonial rule, a full generation before the independence movements of the twentieth century.

Sources: Wikipedia, "Bahta Hagos" · Wikipedia, "Battle of Halai" · HabeshaHistory, "Daggiyat Bahta Hagos"