Balcha Safo

Balcha Safo (Known as "Dejazmach Balcha Aba Nefso")

Dejazmach, Commander of Imperial Artillery at Adwa, Governor of Sidamo

Born c. 1863

Shewa, Ethiopia

Passed Away Nov 06, 1936 Cirri, Gurage, Italian East Africa

Lifespan 73 years old

0 views

Notice / Correction

"I was born a free man, I broke the Italians at Adwa, and I shall die an Ethiopian soldier on my own soil."

Archival Overview

Formidable military general known as 'Aba Nefso' who commanded the imperial artillery batteries at the decisive 1896 Battle of Adwa, falling heroically in battle against fascist invaders forty years later in 1936.

Biographical Record

Balcha Safo was born circa 1863 into an Oromo family. Taken into the royal household of Menelik II as a youth, Balcha displayed exceptional aptitude for military science and artillery engineering.

At the Battle of Adwa on March 1, 1896, Dejazmach Balcha directed Emperor Menelik's Hotchkiss and Maxim quick-firing mountain guns, pulverizing the Italian brigades under General Albertone and sealing Ethiopian victory. Serving for decades as the iron-willed governor of Sidamo, the 73-year-old warrior refused to surrender during the 1936 Italian invasion, dying in a firefight with an Italian patrol at Cirri.

Memorial Guestbook & Tributes

0 messages recorded

Leave a Respectful Tribute

Select a sentiment or reaction (optional):

Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

Your Name / Title *

Your Email (Private, for anti-abuse)

Tribute Message *

No tributes recorded yet. Be the first to leave a message in honor of Balcha Safo.

Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Cirri Historic Memorial / Saint George Church
Gurage, Southern Nations, Ethiopia

                         GPS: 8.2500, 38.1670                    

View on Memory Atlas

Archival Standards PastLegacies adheres to strict neutral biographical guidelines and legal standards of remembrance. Next-of-kin may request modifications or removal at any time via our expedited process.

Read Governance Policy →