Note per una ricerca sull'esodo come protesta anti-coloniale. [Prima parte: Eritrea 1897-1908]

The research explores the historical context and implications of mass migrations as forms of resistance against colonial rule in Eritrea and Ethiopia. It examines how these movements were not merely acts of displacement but strategic protests against imperial oppression. In Eritrea, the period from 1898 to 1909 did not see a significant resistance against Italian colonization, but the exodus of various groups served as a means to assert autonomy and challenge colonial narratives. Similarly, during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935-1941), the Ethiopian response to Italian aggression included organized migrations that symbolized defiance and solidarity among the Ethiopian communities. This study employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating historical analysis with postcolonial theory to understand how these exoduses functioned as collective acts of agency. By framing migration within the broader discourse of anti-colonial struggle, the research aims to highlight the resilience and strategic mobilization of affected populations in their fight against colonial domination. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of migration in shaping national identities and resistance movements in East Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.