The March to Adwa

Most of this force walked to Adwa bare-footed and without adequate clothing to shelter them from the sun or cold nights. In addition to being armed, troops were sustained by the provisions supplied and prepared by women. These provisions included honey, tanikas of butter, sheep, and beef cattle. Soldiers also brought senq, an alcohol-free beer. This nutritious drink would sustain a person for approximately twenty days. Food also consisted of quanta (dried meat), qita (bread) shimbera-grain, dabo kolo and basso. These items don’t easily spoil. When not in battle, the men fetched firewood and forage for the animals (Chapple, 1998).
Some troops would be sheltered and fed in nearby villages. Passing through village of different ethnic origin unified the Ethiopian army as one against a common enemy—Italians.