Lake Ashenge

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Ashenge
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location =
coords =
type =
inflow =
outflow = "none"
catchment =
basin_countries = Ethiopia
length = 5 km
width = 4 km
area = 20 km²
depth =
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = 2,409 m
islands =
cities =

Lake Ashenge (also Lake Ashangi) is a lake in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Located in the Ethiopian highlands at an elevation of 2409 meters, it has no outlet. According to the "Statistical Abstract of Ethiopia for 1967/68", Lake Ashenge is five kilometers long and four wide, with a surface area of 20 square kilometers.

History

On August 29, 1542, Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi advanced upon the Portuguese stockade near Wofla on the southern side of this lake, where he fought the Battle of Wofla and prevailed, afterwards capturing and killing the leader Christovão da Gama.

Another notable battle that took place on the shores of this lake was the Battle of Lake Ashenge on 9 October 1909, when Dejazmach Abate defeated the rebel forces of Dejazmach Abraha Araya. [Harold G. Marcus, "The Life and Times of Menelik II: Ethiopia 1844-1913", (Lawrenceville: Red Sea Press, 1995), pp. 240]

On 3 April 1936, thousands of soldiers of the Ethiopian Empire were killed with poison gas all around Lake Ashenge. The soldiers were withdrawing from the Battle of Maychew during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. As they withdrew, the Italians sprayed and bombed the area around the lake with mustard gas to deadly effect. On 4 April, Emporer Haile Selassie I looked with dispair upon the horrific sight of the dead bodies of his army ringing the poisoned lake. [A. J. Barker. "The Rape of Ethiopia", pg. 105]

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