Abstract:
This thesis attempts toexamine the biography of Bitwädäd Gässässä Rätta from his birth, 1893,
to his death, 1971. Starting with his early and boyhood lifetime, the study explains how and when
the man played a major role in the patriotic resistance and political processes during occupation
and post-liberation period, respectively. Attempt is also made to show his honesty and
hardworking personality at both local and state level of Ethiopian politics of the period under
study. His success and promotion as a supervisor of Addis Ababa-Nazréth railway line, chief of
custom and revenue treasury from Awash to Akaki townsand chief of treasury for Bägémeder
and Sämén Governorate General have also given due attention and explanation. In addition to
the leading role he played during the Ethio-Italian war in 1935-36, the thesis alsodemonstrates
howGässässä has important position during resistance period in Bägémeder and Sämén. Here,
major engagements and battle fields he involved are clearlystated and discussed. The finding
shows the temporal disagreement he faced with the Crown Prince, Asfawosan, during the
immediate liberation period. In this regard, attempt is made to show that the post-liberation
period could express as a period of both achievement and challenge in the life and career of
Gässässä.
Despite his great deeds and achievements during the resistance and after, little is known and
written about Gässässä and his works.This thesis is therefore, tries to show the life and career,