During the brief Italian occupation of Ethiopia in 1936, efforts were made to impose the Italian language in educational settings. This attempt to assimilate the local population reflected broader colonial strategies aimed at cultural domination. The occupation and its language policies had lasting impacts on Ethiopian society and identity, highlighting the complexities of colonial legacies.

Italian presence in Ethiopia during the brief occupation of 1936 inspired resistance poetry. Poets like Abebe Bikila and Mekonnen Ghebremedhin expressed national pride and resilience through their literary works.