With almost one third of Ethiopia’s population, the Oromo constitute the largest ethnicity in Ethiopia and the wider Horn of Africa.
Cator and Dormeyer had just arrived, excited about a country charged of history, culture and noble values, and willing to overcome waves of preconceived ideas about Ethiopia.
The season of blessing and love
Established by Oromo forefathers, Irreacha (also called Irreessa) takes place annually throughout Oromia and amongst Oromo communities abroad on the first Sunday of last week of September or the first Sunday of the first week of October according to Oromo time reckoning (Dhahaa). Bishoftu hosts the major gathering of a festival believed to be one of the largest in Africa.
Known as Oromo’s Thanksgiving to their God (Waaqa) for his goodness over the past year, Irreecha marks the beginning of a new lunar calendar and a seasonal change from winter to spring, and more particularly the end time of starvation (Gadaa Belbaa), disunity, chaos (Mormor), and the auspicious occasion to wish plentiful harvests in the upcoming year.
After a pleasant drive through enchanting though unexpected landscapes on the uncrowded highway in the wee hours of the morning, during which they wondered about a dead hyena and the probability of getting hit by a car, the multicultural group of friends finally reached Bishoftu.
Bishoftu means “the land full of water” in Oromiffa language. Indeed, the main ceremony would take place at the Lake Hora Arsadii. In fact they reached sacred ground, where Oromo people believe God will grant all their wishes.
Waves of joy, harmony and unity
The car needed to get parked right before a blocked area. It was a short, but already crowded walk down to the lake. The rising sun dispelled the last clouds around Bishoftu, and casted bright spotlights on first waves of chanting and dancing people running down the street and moving towards the venue. Like tens of thousands of Ethiopia’s ethnic Oromo, they gathered for Irreecha to celebrate the transition from the dark and challenging rain season to the sunny new Birraa (Spring) season.
Even though some habitants got together in front of their homes around a delicious coffee while teenagers were still playing football, they knew that new waves of people from different parts of the country would arrive soon and just take them along to the ceremony. The effervescence, an irresistible attraction was already palpable.
“I was so impressed by the huge number of people, all beautifully dressed and moving ahead peacefully and cheerfully. A real festival of colors. I can’t remember having seen in my country such a traditional event respected and followed by so many people and with so much passion.”, Cator says.
Symbols of an identity and a worldview
The group of four bought scarfs in the traditional white / red / black colors and a green tree on it, as well as the green grass and yellow flowers (umama) to comply with the tradition. Indeed, everything related to Irreecha has a meaning and a purpose: for instance the Oromo gather in symbolic places such as hilltops, river sides and the shades of big sacred trees. Green being a symbol of fertility, peace, abundance and rain.
At Lake Hora Arsadii the three predominant Oromo colors on the Oromia’s traditional dressings sticked out of this huge green area.
Waves of joy and happiness brought the pilgrims and the group of four to the shores, amongst thousands of people already standing there and waiting the elders to stir long grasses in the lake before sprinkling the blessed water. They believe to get blessed as well and that it will bring them closer to Waaqa (God). Many of them also made presents to thank God for the blessings and mercies received in the previous year.
In the distance various boats could be spotted on the lake, sometimes with newly married couples aboard.
An older man started explaining the spiritual significance of Irreecha to Minassie and his obligation to convey the meaning of a ritual that has been passed down many generations and that will be passed to the next ones.
Then the group of friends also dipped their grass in the water, trying to imitate the repetitive hand movements people did to reject all possible bad vibrations while making wishes. Probably more generally about peace and health when the Oromos praise God also for fertility and abundance with regards to the one who matter to them, their livestock and the upcoming harvest.
Three united Dimensions
Overwhelmed by this visual feast of colors and the irresistible vision of fraternity, the four friends climbed back to a clearing where the main ceremony would take place. The white seats in the shade of the big sacred trees they spotted when walking down to the lake were now occupied by the central persons of the blessing festival.
At this very moment the group of four realized the union of three dimensions of Irreecha: religious, political and social.
First this thanksgiving embraces all religious persuasions: Christians (amongst them Orthodox, Protestants), Muslim and Animists. They all came to thank the higher force and pray for a fruitful harvest.
Second Oromos from all ages and all stripes gather to Irreecha, sharing the same values and respect for the traditions.
Third various officials (speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives, officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, President of the Oromia Regional State) performed in harmony with the honored Abagedas (the elders, the traditional leaders of the Oromo community, elected according to the traditional Gadaa principles). The speeches were held in three languages: English, Amharic and Oromiffa. Solemnity, pride, confidence and magnificence emerged from the speeches, reminding people about the uniqueness of this highly symbolic and truly global event.
Ethiopia is coming
Warmth was in the air and also in the words. Besides the respect of tradition and the awareness for the Oromo culture and history, this unique event symbolizes the pride and rise of Ethiopia.
Elites and supporters got encouraged to help paving the way for promoting Ethiopian values of sharing and fraternity conveyed by Irreecha, but also to convince the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to register this outstanding festival on the representative list Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
“The holiday is the only occasion, to the best of my knowledge, that brings together members from all religious persuasions to honor it. Seeing the masses attending this day is an evidence to how people here have not abandoned their traditional values even as they embrace modernity. It’s no wonder that it is a candidate for UNESCO’s World Heritage list with generations after generations protecting it,”Minassie says.
A sign sent to the world
When the group of four left, they walked back against further, even more massive waves of people joining the celebration. Waves of peace (Nagaa), freedom (bilisummaa), unity (tokkummaa), and reconciliation (araara), bringing people closer to each other and making religious, political and social bonds.
The two Europeans perceived Irreecha also as a positive movement against many waves they are experiencing in their societies: tradition resisting to modernity (people still looking for endorsement by the elder), all ages united instead of generations divided, all social classes brought together rather than class struggle, all confessions in harmony unlike so many parts of the world.
This year Oromos celebrated the Irreecha blessing festivities in millions. The group of four felt proud and honored to have been part of this movement. And they simply let themselves go with these positive waves.
=>ayyaantuu
Friday, October 17, 2014
Sunday, October 12, 2014
SOCHIIN OROMOO BARA 2014 WAAN NU AKEEKU QABA!
SOCHIIN OROMOO BARA 2014 WAAN NU AKEEKU QABA!
HUMNA TA’UUF BAKKAYYUTTI HAA HOJJANNU!
SEENAA Y.G(2005)*
“Bara 2014” Ummati Oromoo Mirga Abbaa Biyyummaa isaa kabachiisuuf yk deeffachuuf, Biyya keessaa fi alatti Qabsoon gaggeessaa jiru, diina irratti waloon hojjachuun bu’aa qabeessa ta’uu qofa odoo hin taanee, keessa isaatti, sochiin Nama dhuunfaa eegalee amma dhaabaatti, dabrees/darbees amma Ummataatti gumaacha yoo taasifne, Injifannoon dhihoo ta’uu kan itti hubateedha jedheen amana. Nama waan hojjatame gamaagamee, isa itti aanuuf maaltu nu irraa eegama? sochii keenya kana irra bal’ifnee yoo itti fufnee Gabrummaa jalaa ba’uu dandeenya, kana irra yoo wal dhaggeeffannee fi wal utubne…… jedhee kan herreeggateef, Barri 2014 barnootaa fi hamilee guddaa nu keessatti uumuu irra taree, sochii itti aanuuf bu’ura godhata. Ummata Mirga isaaf saganteeffatee Biyya keessaa fi alatti sochaa’aa jiru, diinni hangamuu hammeenya nu irratti hojjatu, qabsoo Ummata kanaa dhaamsuu akka hin dandeenye, Ummati kun Qabsoo walii galaaf Qophaa’aa jiraachuu fi kunis injifannoo Ummata kanaan akka Goolabamu diinni dirqamaan akka fudhatu taasisa.
Bara 2014 Biyya keessaa fi alatti sochiileen turan, Seenaa Qabsoo Ummata kanaa keessatti bakka ol-aanaa qabu jechuu dandeenya.Bara 2014 Biyya keessaa fi alatti, Sochiileen taasifaman (bifa kamiinu haa ta’uu) Addunyaa irratti dhageetti kan itti argannee fi hammenya diinaa Addunyaatti kan beeksifannee, akkasumas, Qabsoon keenya haqummaa qabaachuu isaa kan nuuf mirkaneesseedha. Sochiileen kun humna qabnu hundaan itti bobbaanee milkeessinee? moo warra dhimma Ummata isaanii guyyuu hordofantu waan kana milkeesse? yoo jenne, deebiin isaa ifadha. gabaabaatti, baayyina keenya humnatti jijjiruuf sochiilee Bara 2014 waan nu akeeku qaba yoo jenne wayya.ykn Ilaalcha kamiinu adda taanu, dhimma Oromoo irratti wal tumsuun akka danda’amu karaa nu saaqeeraa jechuus dandeenya. Diina waan hundaan Biyya keenya irratti of goobsee jiru, sochii akkasiin kan sochoofne, sochii kana dachaa sadiin illee yoo guddifne, jilbeeffachiisuu dandeenya jennee herreeguus dandeenya.
Ani akka Nama tokkotti, Daa’ima waggaa/ganna 10 wayyaanee balaaleffachuuf baatee rasaasaan dhangalaate ijaan odoon arguu, Ummati Oromoo hin dammaqinee jedhee hin dubbadhu. Dammaqisuufis hin yaalu. Karaa fi shira diinaa ittii himuun garuu waan jiraati. Maanguddoo waggaa 80 wayyaanee odoo mormuu rasaasaan jigisan osoo ijaan arguu, Dulloomtee Afaan kee odoo qabattee ta’ee, yk karaa naa gadhiisis hin jedhu. Maaliif jennaan, tokkoo, Gabrummaan Umuriin Nama hin qoodu.Lammeessoo, Dhaloota har’a lubbuun jiru hundaaf hundeedha waan ta’eef. kana malees, akka Nama baranaa, dhaabbata dhabee odoo hin kachachallee, haqa isaaf cichuun isaa, Gabrummaa mormee Ummata isaaf, Ijollee isaaf fakkeenya ta’ee wareegamuun isaa, ganamaa kaasee walabummaa Ummata isaaf falmaa jiraachuun isaa, Seenaa keessatti faarfamaa jiraachuu qaba jedhee waan itti amnuuf. Kanaaf, Barruu kiyya kutaa 3n dhiheessuuf yaalu keessatti, Bara 2014 akka fakkeenyaatti qabxiilee sochiilee Ijoo ta’an fudhee, Sochiilee Boonsaa kanaaf hundeen Qindoominaa fi wal dhaga’uu ta’utti waanan amaneef, waan kana caalaatti jabeessuuf qabxiilee nu fayyadu jedhee itti amane kaasee, hunduu yaada irratti yoo walii hire, hojii kana caalaa hojjachuu dandeenya kan jedhu fi Bara 2015 humna qabnuun qabsoo keenya finiinsuuf gamanumaa saganteeffachuu fi qindeeffachuun murteessaa ta’uu yaadachiisuun yaade na ofkalchaa .
BARA 2014 SOCHIILEE HOJII CAALAAF NU KAKAASUU DANDA’AN :
Fincillii Diddaa Gabrummaa 2014 Seenaa Ummata Oromoo keessatti bakka ol aanaa qaba. akkasuma Ijoollee fi sabboontoonni Mirga Abbaa Biyyummaa Ummata isaaniif Wareegama bifa kamiitu kfalan seenaan yoomillee isaan hin dagatu.Seenaan galmeessee kaa’aa qofaa odoo hin taanee, dhalonni Oromoo Biyya keessaa fi ala jiru hundumtuu gumaa isaanii baasuuf, sochii daranii qindeessee keessattis hirmaatee diina dachee isaa irraa buqqisuuf halkanii fi guyyaa kan irratti hojjatuudha. Jabiin Fincila Diddaa Gabrummaa SEENAAn yeroo itti faarfatu ni dhufa jechaa, Fincila Diddaa Gabrummaa Qeerroo fi Qarree, Barataa fi Barattuu, Dargaggoo fi Dargaggeetti, Hojjataa, Abbaa Qabeenyaa, Waldaalee adda addaa kkf hammatu itti fufisiisuuf waan nu irraa eegamu gumaachuuf hundi keenya bakka jirru haa sochoonu.
Ummata Oromoo Qabsoo walii galaaf qopheessuu keessatti gumaacha mataa keenyaa taasisuuf, murannoon waliin dhaabbachuu nu barbaachisa. sochiin ijoollee keenyaa Biyya alaatti Hawaasa Oromoo sochoosee sagalee isaanii dhageesisuun akka waliin dhaabbatan san, Biyya keessattis qaama hawaasa Oromoon odoo utubamee ta’ee firiin isaa kana irra mirqaansaa ta’a ture. fkn.Ficila diddaa 2014 irratti wanni addaa mul’ate tokko. Ijoollee kana waliin sabboontonni fi Ummati sochii taasiseedha. Ajjeefamuu ijoollee mormuu, kan hidhaatti guuran gadhiisiisuu, ijoollee irraa bitamtoota dhorkuun sochiin taasifamedha. Kana caalaatti jabeeffachuu nama barbaachisa. gaaffiin ijoollee kanaa sirrii ta’uu fi Ummaticha kan bakka bu’u ta’uu dhugeessuuf, humni nama baratee fi qaama Hawaasichaa biraa isaan cinaa jiraachuun diinaaf soda guddaadha. Kana lfa qabsiisuun dansaadha.
Addatti, Dargaggootaa fi shamarran keenya, Warshaalee fi Kubbaaniyyaa wayyaanee, akkasumas Biyyoota alaa keessatti maqaa hojiin ukkaafamanii ta’aan hirmaachisuuf gama hundaan sochaa’uu nu barbaachisa. Sirna gaaffii Ummataa dhaggeeffachuu hin barbaannef furmaati jiru, dantaa isaa irratti bobba’uudha. Mormii karaa Nagaan yoo hin dhaga’u jedhee, waan biraas waliin akeekkachuu barbaachisa. Wayyaanee kan nu irratti goobsee inni adda duraa, OPDO dha. inni lamataa qabeenyaa keenyadha. Yeroo kanatti adda durummaan kan wayyaaneef bifa kamiinu irree kan ta’eef, Qabeenyaa keenyadha. Hanga waan kana saamuuf sodaa fi yaaddoo tokko illee hin qabaatinitti, Abbaa irrummaa ishee itti fufti. Kanaaf bifa kanaan qormaata gadi fageenyaa gaggeessinee waan furmaata nuuf ta’u falachuu nu barbaachisa.
Maastar Pilaaniin Finfinnee haaraan sabbataa, Aqaaqii, Holataa fi kkf akka dabalatu kan taasisaniif, dachee kana Oromiyaa jalaa baasuu qofaaf odoo hin taanee, Finfinnee irraa hanga KM 45tti Qabeenyaan jiru irra jireessa kan wayyaanootaati. Galiin bakka kana irraa qofaa argamu lafee duddaa Biyyattiiti. Galiin kun tokkollee akka Oromiyaa seenuu fi Naannoon Oromiyaa itti fayyadamu hin barbaadan. Naannoo kanaa galii Gibiraa fi kkf irraa galiin argamu, Fedaraalaaf akka galu taasifama. Ammallee. OPDOn kan itti hajajidu muraasa qofa. Tigiraayitti garuu akkas miti. galiin hundumtuu Naannichaafidha. Nageenya isaanii Finfinnee keessaa mirkaneessuuf illee, Naannoo kana akka fedhanitti ijaaruu barbaadu. Sagantaan isaanii yeroo dheeraa kan hedduu nama sukkanneessuudha. Diina gara jabiina akkasii qabuutu nu dura dhaabbatee jira. Kanaaf sochiin keenya kan kanaan wal gitu ta’uu qaba.waan isaan rifaasisuu fi Ummati isaanillee hegaree isaaniif akka yaadan taasisuun murteessaadha.
Akka fakkeenyaatti waa tokko kaasuun ni danda’ama. Wayyaaneen Gaaffii Ummata Oromoo kana Addunyaa kana irratti fudhatama dhabsiisuuf shirri hojjattu lakkoofsa kan hin qabne ta’us, tokko Biyyoonni Addunyaa irratti dhageetti qaban, Biyyattii keessaa dantaa akka qabaatan taasisuun, wayyaaneen yoo jiraatte malee dantaan isaanii sun jiraachuu akka hin dandeenye amansiiftee bara baraaf jiraachuudha. Biyyoonni kun saamicha gaggeessaa jiran akka hin dhabneef, gaaffii Ummatootaa kana ukkaamsuun isaanii waan hin hafne.kanaaf, shira wayyaanee kana dhimma keenyatti naanneeffachuu ni dandeenya.kunis, Qabeenyaa humnoota alaa kamuu keessa ykn Warshaalee, Kubbaaniyyaa, dhaabbilee adda addaa, dhaabbilee miti mootummaa, dhaabbilee edila addunyaa, Waldaalee, Bakkoota Qonnaa fi kkf ilmaan Oromoo hojjachaa jiran gurmeessanii gaaffii wal fakkaataa kaasuun sagaleen keenya karuma isaanii deebi’ee akka dhaga’amu taasisuun ni danda’ama. Ilmaan Oromoo addatti Ilmaan Qotee bulaa dachee isaa irraa buqqifamee kubbaaniyyaa Finfinnee marsee jiru keessa hojjatan kuma 100n lakaa’aman. Abbootiin Qabeenyaa Biyya alaas ta’ee, Humnoonni alaa Biyyatti keessatti qabeenyaa horatan, dubbiin jabaachaa dhufnaan ykn humna Ummata kanaa ifatti arginaan, Qabeenyaan isaanii baduu irra wayyaanee konkolaachisuu akka filatan shakkiin hin jiru.kanaaf gama kanaan waan nu irraa eegamu yoo raawwannee, sochii Fincila Diddaa gabrummaa Ummata Oromoo kan walii galaatti ce’uu dandeenya jedheen yaada.
Sochiin Fincila Diddaa Gabrummaa Bara 2014 hundee wayyaanee raasuu isaa kan nu dhugeessu, holola siyaasaa hanga har’aatti Barattootaa fi Dargaggoota irratti oofaa jiruudha. Gabaabumatti, Fincilli Diddaa Gabrummaabara 2014 Gootummaa ol aanaan gaggeeffame, Mirga Ummata ofii gaafachuuf qofaa odoo hin taanee, Waadaa Jaallan waggoota 100 oliif wareegama qaalii kafalaniif gumaa Bilisummaan baatu jabeessuuf ta’uu dagachuu hin qabnu.Sochii keenya Nama dhuunfaa kaafnee hanga Hawaasaa fi dhaabaatti gaggeessine daran wal jabeessinee itti fufuuf haa hojjannu. Bilisummaan keenya harka keenya keessa malee, harka halgaa keessa hin jirtu. Maandeellaaf Bilisummaa isaa mana hidhaatti kan geesseef hin jiru. odoo achitti geessaniif ta’ee waggaa 27 hin hidhamu. Maandeellaatu Mana hidhaa keessaa baasee dhaqee Bilisoomu isaa labsate. Labsachuuf ammoo wareegama bifa kamiitu Ummata isaa waliin kfaleera. Kanaaf Bilisumma keenya bakkatti deeffachuuf haa hojjannu. Haa Qabsoofnu. Sochii Bilisummaa Ummata ofiif gumaacha bifa kamiituu kan taasisuu, Gammachu fi Galanni isaa Bilisummaa inni Labsatuudha.
Haalaa wayyaanee fi rakkoo keessa ofii keessa luftanii Hojii boonsaa akkasii warra hojjattaniif, sochii kana milkeessuuf yeroo keessan, lubbuu keessan …..kennitanii wareegama ulfaataa kan baaftaniif Galanni keessan Bilisummaa haa ta’u. Namni Bilisummaa Ummata isaaf quuqamu, waan hojiin mul’isuun madaalama. Haasaa miliyoonairra, gocha 1tu Bilisummaaf dhihoodha.
Kutaa 2ffaan itti fufa.
HORAA BULAA!
* SEENAA Y.G(2005): burqaa430@gmail.com
=>finfinnetribune
HUMNA TA’UUF BAKKAYYUTTI HAA HOJJANNU!
SEENAA Y.G(2005)*
“Bara 2014” Ummati Oromoo Mirga Abbaa Biyyummaa isaa kabachiisuuf yk deeffachuuf, Biyya keessaa fi alatti Qabsoon gaggeessaa jiru, diina irratti waloon hojjachuun bu’aa qabeessa ta’uu qofa odoo hin taanee, keessa isaatti, sochiin Nama dhuunfaa eegalee amma dhaabaatti, dabrees/darbees amma Ummataatti gumaacha yoo taasifne, Injifannoon dhihoo ta’uu kan itti hubateedha jedheen amana. Nama waan hojjatame gamaagamee, isa itti aanuuf maaltu nu irraa eegama? sochii keenya kana irra bal’ifnee yoo itti fufnee Gabrummaa jalaa ba’uu dandeenya, kana irra yoo wal dhaggeeffannee fi wal utubne…… jedhee kan herreeggateef, Barri 2014 barnootaa fi hamilee guddaa nu keessatti uumuu irra taree, sochii itti aanuuf bu’ura godhata. Ummata Mirga isaaf saganteeffatee Biyya keessaa fi alatti sochaa’aa jiru, diinni hangamuu hammeenya nu irratti hojjatu, qabsoo Ummata kanaa dhaamsuu akka hin dandeenye, Ummati kun Qabsoo walii galaaf Qophaa’aa jiraachuu fi kunis injifannoo Ummata kanaan akka Goolabamu diinni dirqamaan akka fudhatu taasisa.
Bara 2014 Biyya keessaa fi alatti sochiileen turan, Seenaa Qabsoo Ummata kanaa keessatti bakka ol-aanaa qabu jechuu dandeenya.Bara 2014 Biyya keessaa fi alatti, Sochiileen taasifaman (bifa kamiinu haa ta’uu) Addunyaa irratti dhageetti kan itti argannee fi hammenya diinaa Addunyaatti kan beeksifannee, akkasumas, Qabsoon keenya haqummaa qabaachuu isaa kan nuuf mirkaneesseedha. Sochiileen kun humna qabnu hundaan itti bobbaanee milkeessinee? moo warra dhimma Ummata isaanii guyyuu hordofantu waan kana milkeesse? yoo jenne, deebiin isaa ifadha. gabaabaatti, baayyina keenya humnatti jijjiruuf sochiilee Bara 2014 waan nu akeeku qaba yoo jenne wayya.ykn Ilaalcha kamiinu adda taanu, dhimma Oromoo irratti wal tumsuun akka danda’amu karaa nu saaqeeraa jechuus dandeenya. Diina waan hundaan Biyya keenya irratti of goobsee jiru, sochii akkasiin kan sochoofne, sochii kana dachaa sadiin illee yoo guddifne, jilbeeffachiisuu dandeenya jennee herreeguus dandeenya.
Ani akka Nama tokkotti, Daa’ima waggaa/ganna 10 wayyaanee balaaleffachuuf baatee rasaasaan dhangalaate ijaan odoon arguu, Ummati Oromoo hin dammaqinee jedhee hin dubbadhu. Dammaqisuufis hin yaalu. Karaa fi shira diinaa ittii himuun garuu waan jiraati. Maanguddoo waggaa 80 wayyaanee odoo mormuu rasaasaan jigisan osoo ijaan arguu, Dulloomtee Afaan kee odoo qabattee ta’ee, yk karaa naa gadhiisis hin jedhu. Maaliif jennaan, tokkoo, Gabrummaan Umuriin Nama hin qoodu.Lammeessoo, Dhaloota har’a lubbuun jiru hundaaf hundeedha waan ta’eef. kana malees, akka Nama baranaa, dhaabbata dhabee odoo hin kachachallee, haqa isaaf cichuun isaa, Gabrummaa mormee Ummata isaaf, Ijollee isaaf fakkeenya ta’ee wareegamuun isaa, ganamaa kaasee walabummaa Ummata isaaf falmaa jiraachuun isaa, Seenaa keessatti faarfamaa jiraachuu qaba jedhee waan itti amnuuf. Kanaaf, Barruu kiyya kutaa 3n dhiheessuuf yaalu keessatti, Bara 2014 akka fakkeenyaatti qabxiilee sochiilee Ijoo ta’an fudhee, Sochiilee Boonsaa kanaaf hundeen Qindoominaa fi wal dhaga’uu ta’utti waanan amaneef, waan kana caalaatti jabeessuuf qabxiilee nu fayyadu jedhee itti amane kaasee, hunduu yaada irratti yoo walii hire, hojii kana caalaa hojjachuu dandeenya kan jedhu fi Bara 2015 humna qabnuun qabsoo keenya finiinsuuf gamanumaa saganteeffachuu fi qindeeffachuun murteessaa ta’uu yaadachiisuun yaade na ofkalchaa .
BARA 2014 SOCHIILEE HOJII CAALAAF NU KAKAASUU DANDA’AN :
- Fincila Diddaa Gabrummaa Barattootaa fi Dargaggootaa Biyya keessaa
- Hawaasa Oromoo Biyya keessaa ijoollee cinaa hiriiruu,
- Hawaasa Oromoo Biyya alaa deeggarsaa fi ajjeechaa morme hiriira qindoome gaggeessuu,
- Qabsaa’oonni Ilaalchaan tokko ta’an ABO jabaa gadi dhaabuuf murteessu
- Midiyaalee walabaa (Intarneetaanis) dhimma Ummata isaanii irratti hojjataa jiran,
- Dhaabbileen, Waldaaleen gargaarsaa fi Amantii dhimma Oromoo irratti hiriiruu eegaluu,
- Baqattootaaf birmannaa taaisfame,
- Aadaa, Seenaa fi Oromiyaa beeksisuuf sochiilee taasifaman,
- Ayyaana Irreechaa 2014 irratti Sochii Biyya keessaa fi alatti gaggeeffame,
- Fincila Diddaa Gabrummaa Barattoota, Dargaggootaa fi Sabbontootaan gaggeeffame fi,
- Sochii Ummata Biyya keessaa ilaalchisee:-
Fincillii Diddaa Gabrummaa 2014 Seenaa Ummata Oromoo keessatti bakka ol aanaa qaba. akkasuma Ijoollee fi sabboontoonni Mirga Abbaa Biyyummaa Ummata isaaniif Wareegama bifa kamiitu kfalan seenaan yoomillee isaan hin dagatu.Seenaan galmeessee kaa’aa qofaa odoo hin taanee, dhalonni Oromoo Biyya keessaa fi ala jiru hundumtuu gumaa isaanii baasuuf, sochii daranii qindeessee keessattis hirmaatee diina dachee isaa irraa buqqisuuf halkanii fi guyyaa kan irratti hojjatuudha. Jabiin Fincila Diddaa Gabrummaa SEENAAn yeroo itti faarfatu ni dhufa jechaa, Fincila Diddaa Gabrummaa Qeerroo fi Qarree, Barataa fi Barattuu, Dargaggoo fi Dargaggeetti, Hojjataa, Abbaa Qabeenyaa, Waldaalee adda addaa kkf hammatu itti fufisiisuuf waan nu irraa eegamu gumaachuuf hundi keenya bakka jirru haa sochoonu.
Ummata Oromoo Qabsoo walii galaaf qopheessuu keessatti gumaacha mataa keenyaa taasisuuf, murannoon waliin dhaabbachuu nu barbaachisa. sochiin ijoollee keenyaa Biyya alaatti Hawaasa Oromoo sochoosee sagalee isaanii dhageesisuun akka waliin dhaabbatan san, Biyya keessattis qaama hawaasa Oromoon odoo utubamee ta’ee firiin isaa kana irra mirqaansaa ta’a ture. fkn.Ficila diddaa 2014 irratti wanni addaa mul’ate tokko. Ijoollee kana waliin sabboontonni fi Ummati sochii taasiseedha. Ajjeefamuu ijoollee mormuu, kan hidhaatti guuran gadhiisiisuu, ijoollee irraa bitamtoota dhorkuun sochiin taasifamedha. Kana caalaatti jabeeffachuu nama barbaachisa. gaaffiin ijoollee kanaa sirrii ta’uu fi Ummaticha kan bakka bu’u ta’uu dhugeessuuf, humni nama baratee fi qaama Hawaasichaa biraa isaan cinaa jiraachuun diinaaf soda guddaadha. Kana lfa qabsiisuun dansaadha.
Addatti, Dargaggootaa fi shamarran keenya, Warshaalee fi Kubbaaniyyaa wayyaanee, akkasumas Biyyoota alaa keessatti maqaa hojiin ukkaafamanii ta’aan hirmaachisuuf gama hundaan sochaa’uu nu barbaachisa. Sirna gaaffii Ummataa dhaggeeffachuu hin barbaannef furmaati jiru, dantaa isaa irratti bobba’uudha. Mormii karaa Nagaan yoo hin dhaga’u jedhee, waan biraas waliin akeekkachuu barbaachisa. Wayyaanee kan nu irratti goobsee inni adda duraa, OPDO dha. inni lamataa qabeenyaa keenyadha. Yeroo kanatti adda durummaan kan wayyaaneef bifa kamiinu irree kan ta’eef, Qabeenyaa keenyadha. Hanga waan kana saamuuf sodaa fi yaaddoo tokko illee hin qabaatinitti, Abbaa irrummaa ishee itti fufti. Kanaaf bifa kanaan qormaata gadi fageenyaa gaggeessinee waan furmaata nuuf ta’u falachuu nu barbaachisa.
Maastar Pilaaniin Finfinnee haaraan sabbataa, Aqaaqii, Holataa fi kkf akka dabalatu kan taasisaniif, dachee kana Oromiyaa jalaa baasuu qofaaf odoo hin taanee, Finfinnee irraa hanga KM 45tti Qabeenyaan jiru irra jireessa kan wayyaanootaati. Galiin bakka kana irraa qofaa argamu lafee duddaa Biyyattiiti. Galiin kun tokkollee akka Oromiyaa seenuu fi Naannoon Oromiyaa itti fayyadamu hin barbaadan. Naannoo kanaa galii Gibiraa fi kkf irraa galiin argamu, Fedaraalaaf akka galu taasifama. Ammallee. OPDOn kan itti hajajidu muraasa qofa. Tigiraayitti garuu akkas miti. galiin hundumtuu Naannichaafidha. Nageenya isaanii Finfinnee keessaa mirkaneessuuf illee, Naannoo kana akka fedhanitti ijaaruu barbaadu. Sagantaan isaanii yeroo dheeraa kan hedduu nama sukkanneessuudha. Diina gara jabiina akkasii qabuutu nu dura dhaabbatee jira. Kanaaf sochiin keenya kan kanaan wal gitu ta’uu qaba.waan isaan rifaasisuu fi Ummati isaanillee hegaree isaaniif akka yaadan taasisuun murteessaadha.
Akka fakkeenyaatti waa tokko kaasuun ni danda’ama. Wayyaaneen Gaaffii Ummata Oromoo kana Addunyaa kana irratti fudhatama dhabsiisuuf shirri hojjattu lakkoofsa kan hin qabne ta’us, tokko Biyyoonni Addunyaa irratti dhageetti qaban, Biyyattii keessaa dantaa akka qabaatan taasisuun, wayyaaneen yoo jiraatte malee dantaan isaanii sun jiraachuu akka hin dandeenye amansiiftee bara baraaf jiraachuudha. Biyyoonni kun saamicha gaggeessaa jiran akka hin dhabneef, gaaffii Ummatootaa kana ukkaamsuun isaanii waan hin hafne.kanaaf, shira wayyaanee kana dhimma keenyatti naanneeffachuu ni dandeenya.kunis, Qabeenyaa humnoota alaa kamuu keessa ykn Warshaalee, Kubbaaniyyaa, dhaabbilee adda addaa, dhaabbilee miti mootummaa, dhaabbilee edila addunyaa, Waldaalee, Bakkoota Qonnaa fi kkf ilmaan Oromoo hojjachaa jiran gurmeessanii gaaffii wal fakkaataa kaasuun sagaleen keenya karuma isaanii deebi’ee akka dhaga’amu taasisuun ni danda’ama. Ilmaan Oromoo addatti Ilmaan Qotee bulaa dachee isaa irraa buqqifamee kubbaaniyyaa Finfinnee marsee jiru keessa hojjatan kuma 100n lakaa’aman. Abbootiin Qabeenyaa Biyya alaas ta’ee, Humnoonni alaa Biyyatti keessatti qabeenyaa horatan, dubbiin jabaachaa dhufnaan ykn humna Ummata kanaa ifatti arginaan, Qabeenyaan isaanii baduu irra wayyaanee konkolaachisuu akka filatan shakkiin hin jiru.kanaaf gama kanaan waan nu irraa eegamu yoo raawwannee, sochii Fincila Diddaa gabrummaa Ummata Oromoo kan walii galaatti ce’uu dandeenya jedheen yaada.
Sochiin Fincila Diddaa Gabrummaa Bara 2014 hundee wayyaanee raasuu isaa kan nu dhugeessu, holola siyaasaa hanga har’aatti Barattootaa fi Dargaggoota irratti oofaa jiruudha. Gabaabumatti, Fincilli Diddaa Gabrummaabara 2014 Gootummaa ol aanaan gaggeeffame, Mirga Ummata ofii gaafachuuf qofaa odoo hin taanee, Waadaa Jaallan waggoota 100 oliif wareegama qaalii kafalaniif gumaa Bilisummaan baatu jabeessuuf ta’uu dagachuu hin qabnu.Sochii keenya Nama dhuunfaa kaafnee hanga Hawaasaa fi dhaabaatti gaggeessine daran wal jabeessinee itti fufuuf haa hojjannu. Bilisummaan keenya harka keenya keessa malee, harka halgaa keessa hin jirtu. Maandeellaaf Bilisummaa isaa mana hidhaatti kan geesseef hin jiru. odoo achitti geessaniif ta’ee waggaa 27 hin hidhamu. Maandeellaatu Mana hidhaa keessaa baasee dhaqee Bilisoomu isaa labsate. Labsachuuf ammoo wareegama bifa kamiitu Ummata isaa waliin kfaleera. Kanaaf Bilisumma keenya bakkatti deeffachuuf haa hojjannu. Haa Qabsoofnu. Sochii Bilisummaa Ummata ofiif gumaacha bifa kamiituu kan taasisuu, Gammachu fi Galanni isaa Bilisummaa inni Labsatuudha.
Haalaa wayyaanee fi rakkoo keessa ofii keessa luftanii Hojii boonsaa akkasii warra hojjattaniif, sochii kana milkeessuuf yeroo keessan, lubbuu keessan …..kennitanii wareegama ulfaataa kan baaftaniif Galanni keessan Bilisummaa haa ta’u. Namni Bilisummaa Ummata isaaf quuqamu, waan hojiin mul’isuun madaalama. Haasaa miliyoonairra, gocha 1tu Bilisummaaf dhihoodha.
Kutaa 2ffaan itti fufa.
HORAA BULAA!
* SEENAA Y.G(2005): burqaa430@gmail.com
=>finfinnetribune
Irreecha 2014: Against the waves
Insights of the 2014 Irreecha festival
By Daniel Dormeyer
October 12, 2014 (The Ethiopian Reporter) — When they left from Addis Ababa early in the morning of Sunday October 5, the two Europeans, James Cator from England and Daniel Dormeyer from Germany, accompanied by two Ethiopians, Minassie Alemayehu and Haile Mekonen, did not really gauge the significance and importance of what they would experience when attending Irreecha in Bishoftu, Oromia regional state, around 45 minutes south of the capital.
By Daniel Dormeyer
October 12, 2014 (The Ethiopian Reporter) — When they left from Addis Ababa early in the morning of Sunday October 5, the two Europeans, James Cator from England and Daniel Dormeyer from Germany, accompanied by two Ethiopians, Minassie Alemayehu and Haile Mekonen, did not really gauge the significance and importance of what they would experience when attending Irreecha in Bishoftu, Oromia regional state, around 45 minutes south of the capital.Saturday, October 11, 2014
THE TIME HAS COME! SAY NO TO ETHIOPIAN APARTHEID
Okok Ojulu’s Speech Delivered at the World Bank Panel Discussion | October 11, 2014
Honorable Panelists, Distinguish invited guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honored and privileged to represent the voice of millions of indigenous populations of the Southwestern regions in particular, and many other oppressed groups elsewhere in Ethiopia. My speech echoes a big “No To Ethiopian Apartheid” and presents the anguish and death of the voiceless indigenous populations, languishing in blood, suffering insecurity, torture, and life imprisonment in Ethiopia. It also presents the voice of many refugees in the neighboring countries from Gambella, Lower Omo Valley area, and Beneshangul/Gumuz regions of Ethiopia who are living under difficult conditions facing threats to their lives; insecurity, cross border killings, and deportations from the neighboring countries.
Southwestern Ethiopia is a sanctuary to more than 28 indigenous Nilotic and south Omotic tribes namely Anywaa (Anyuak), Arebore, Berta, Bodi, Bena, Bale, Brile, Bacha, Dasenach, Gumuz, Hamer, Kwegu, Kara, Komo, Majenger, Mursi, Minit, Murle, Male, Mao, Nuer, Nyangatom, Opo, Suri, Sheko-Majenger, Tsmayeko, Tirma, and Zelimama. Their population is estimated to be between 4-5 million people who live in geographical location that stretches out from Lake Turkana via Gambella to Beneshangul/Gumuz regions, at the border with Kenya, South Sudan, and Sudan.
Southwestern Ethiopia abounds with the most fertile land and many other natural resources. Ironically, the Ethiopian government has failed to recognize its people as full citizens. It engages itself in ethnic cleansing and policies aimed at getting rid of the indigenous populations from their lands in order to utilize the resources in their absence. The government is keener on the resources than the peoples of the land. This development strategy adopted by the Ethiopian government has finger prints of the World Bank and moves forward with its blessings.
In a recent press release on Oct. 3, the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture claimed that over 30 million people have benefited from the Sustainable Land Management Program, operating with the support of the World Bank. The Bank and other donors have been active supporters of the current policies of the Ethiopian government through this and several other programs, ignoring the reports of human rights abuses and forced displacement coming in from organizations like the Oakland Institute, Human Rights Watch and the others.
As the Bank officials come together for the annual meetings in Washington DC, at least 3-5 of the indigenous peoples die every day on account of land grab, hatred and discrimination against their color, race, culture, and religion. As we meet here, the Majenger tribe in the Godere district of the Gambella region is being massacred by the illegal settlers from the Northern regions, the government soldiers disguised as civilians, and many others sponsored by foreign investors, while the government military forces and police deployed in the area attend the killings and the eviction of the tribe.
These killings are reminiscent of the Anyuaks’ massacres, many of which were reported by the international media, such as the December 13/2003 Anyuak genocide and the 1984/5 mass killings. The Suri people have also undergone such massacres in the past, the latest being in May – June/2013; Bodi, Mursi and many other indigenous tribes in the Lower Omo Valley of SNNPR have also undergone through such massive killings; likewise the tribes of Beneshangul/Gumuz region, the Gumuz, Berta, Komo and Mao who have also undergone the ordeal of recurring mass killings, tortures, life imprisonments in the prisons where their relatives cannot visit them.
The indigenous populations of Southwestern regions live in terror and death, to no end. One of the Bodi farmers lamented about one such massacre:
The indigenous populations are not impediments to the development as the TPLF government says while promoting investment policies to attract investors. This it is a cover to serve the government intentional killings with the desire to wipe away these people from their lands. Indigenous populations govern by their traditions and cultures– they are welcoming people to any friendly guest, and they would like to share their lands with good neighbors but not murderers and criminals like the TPLF government land grabbers like the Saudi Star and other investors they have invited from India, Malaysia, and elsewhere.
The ongoing killings and massacres against the indigenous populations in the southwestern regions cannot cease unless the international community intervenes to support the vulnerable tribes and ensure that they do not disappear from this world. There is a moral obligation to stop the Ethiopian government from killing them like animals.
Stop land grabbing and the eviction of the indigenous people. To them the theft of their land, their forests, their natural resources and their way of life, is the last nail in their coffin.. The international community needs to intervene to rescue the indigenous populations from the ongoing killings and massacres.
Recommendations
=>ayyaantuu
Honorable Panelists, Distinguish invited guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honored and privileged to represent the voice of millions of indigenous populations of the Southwestern regions in particular, and many other oppressed groups elsewhere in Ethiopia. My speech echoes a big “No To Ethiopian Apartheid” and presents the anguish and death of the voiceless indigenous populations, languishing in blood, suffering insecurity, torture, and life imprisonment in Ethiopia. It also presents the voice of many refugees in the neighboring countries from Gambella, Lower Omo Valley area, and Beneshangul/Gumuz regions of Ethiopia who are living under difficult conditions facing threats to their lives; insecurity, cross border killings, and deportations from the neighboring countries.
Southwestern Ethiopia is a sanctuary to more than 28 indigenous Nilotic and south Omotic tribes namely Anywaa (Anyuak), Arebore, Berta, Bodi, Bena, Bale, Brile, Bacha, Dasenach, Gumuz, Hamer, Kwegu, Kara, Komo, Majenger, Mursi, Minit, Murle, Male, Mao, Nuer, Nyangatom, Opo, Suri, Sheko-Majenger, Tsmayeko, Tirma, and Zelimama. Their population is estimated to be between 4-5 million people who live in geographical location that stretches out from Lake Turkana via Gambella to Beneshangul/Gumuz regions, at the border with Kenya, South Sudan, and Sudan.
Southwestern Ethiopia abounds with the most fertile land and many other natural resources. Ironically, the Ethiopian government has failed to recognize its people as full citizens. It engages itself in ethnic cleansing and policies aimed at getting rid of the indigenous populations from their lands in order to utilize the resources in their absence. The government is keener on the resources than the peoples of the land. This development strategy adopted by the Ethiopian government has finger prints of the World Bank and moves forward with its blessings.
In a recent press release on Oct. 3, the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture claimed that over 30 million people have benefited from the Sustainable Land Management Program, operating with the support of the World Bank. The Bank and other donors have been active supporters of the current policies of the Ethiopian government through this and several other programs, ignoring the reports of human rights abuses and forced displacement coming in from organizations like the Oakland Institute, Human Rights Watch and the others.
As the Bank officials come together for the annual meetings in Washington DC, at least 3-5 of the indigenous peoples die every day on account of land grab, hatred and discrimination against their color, race, culture, and religion. As we meet here, the Majenger tribe in the Godere district of the Gambella region is being massacred by the illegal settlers from the Northern regions, the government soldiers disguised as civilians, and many others sponsored by foreign investors, while the government military forces and police deployed in the area attend the killings and the eviction of the tribe.
These killings are reminiscent of the Anyuaks’ massacres, many of which were reported by the international media, such as the December 13/2003 Anyuak genocide and the 1984/5 mass killings. The Suri people have also undergone such massacres in the past, the latest being in May – June/2013; Bodi, Mursi and many other indigenous tribes in the Lower Omo Valley of SNNPR have also undergone through such massive killings; likewise the tribes of Beneshangul/Gumuz region, the Gumuz, Berta, Komo and Mao who have also undergone the ordeal of recurring mass killings, tortures, life imprisonments in the prisons where their relatives cannot visit them.
The indigenous populations of Southwestern regions live in terror and death, to no end. One of the Bodi farmers lamented about one such massacre:
The settlement of highlanders and Konso people in our land in 2002 who were lighter in skin than us, was a government plan to claim our land and to get rid of us. In the incident of 2005 we were killed like dogs in the markets, not leaving even the pregnant women, whom their stomachs were opened with knives, and left their babies on top of their dead mothers crying for help until they died slowly of hunger. In particular cases some women, sticks were pushed into their stomachs. In relating this story he shed tears in the meeting, recalling the human tragedy they had gone through and he took deep breath and said “I don’t know where I can get someone who can show me the road leading to God; whatever it may cost of my life I would go to face God with reality why He created us and handed us to this painful life under the Ethiopian regimes and Ethiopian highlanders, and we are dying without future. Ethiopian highlanders treat us like dogs and even dogs are better treated than us.” .
An Anti–Ethiopian Apartheid Movement to bring credible freedom, democracy, justice, and prosperity to all different nations in Ethiopia is urgently needed.The indigenous populations are not impediments to the development as the TPLF government says while promoting investment policies to attract investors. This it is a cover to serve the government intentional killings with the desire to wipe away these people from their lands. Indigenous populations govern by their traditions and cultures– they are welcoming people to any friendly guest, and they would like to share their lands with good neighbors but not murderers and criminals like the TPLF government land grabbers like the Saudi Star and other investors they have invited from India, Malaysia, and elsewhere.
The ongoing killings and massacres against the indigenous populations in the southwestern regions cannot cease unless the international community intervenes to support the vulnerable tribes and ensure that they do not disappear from this world. There is a moral obligation to stop the Ethiopian government from killing them like animals.
Stop land grabbing and the eviction of the indigenous people. To them the theft of their land, their forests, their natural resources and their way of life, is the last nail in their coffin.. The international community needs to intervene to rescue the indigenous populations from the ongoing killings and massacres.
Recommendations
- International community intervention to stop the ongoing killings of the indigenous peoples from their land and consider their self determination of Southwestern regions.
- Campaign that the indigenous people are not an impediment to the development of Ethiopia but they are welcoming people, seeking good neighbors not murderers.
- Support or join Anti-Ethiopian Apartheid Movement to eliminate racial discrimination in Ethiopia.
- The World Bank, which gets a large part of its funding from the United States, must adhere to the 2014 US Appropriations bill that contains provisions to ensure that US development funds are not used to support forced evictions in Ethiopia.
=>ayyaantuu
Ye Jemila Inat and other tales by Tesfaye Gebreab
Review by Tigist Geme
*The writer, Tigist Geme, is a citizen journalist and activist based in Washington, D.C.
=>opride
(OPride) — There are few writers more controversial than Tesfaye Gebreab among contemporary Amharic writers. He has authored nine books, including two in which he’s contributed chapters. His work on Oromo people, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, has been met with equal part praise and condemnation.
Tesfaye, who is touring the United States, is back with a new book: Ye Jemila Inat. It is already available online via MeshCart and will be officially released this week. Book signing events are scheduled in Washington D.C. and Minnesota.
The book has been widely promoted on social media. His fans and detractors are waiting to see what Tesfaye has written about this time. Among the Oromo he's hailed as a hero. His decision last month to become Oromo and change his name as per Mogaassa custom has endeared him even more to his many Oromo fans.
Tesfaye's detractors, particularly ethnic Amharas, have accused him of sowing discord among, otherwise united, Ethiopian people. Tesfaye is keenly aware of this charge. "If Ethiopia's unity can be shaken by one ordinary writer's work, it's fair to conclude that there was never a unity in the first place," writes Tesfaye in the preface of the new book.
Tesfaye has found a niche, focusing on untold stories and uncovering hitherto falsified historical accounts. In this regard, Ye Jemila Inat, delves deep into the archives of imperial palace. Tesfaye's previous work as a journalist for a state-run magazine, before his eventual fallout with the ruling party, gave him a unique access to historical records dating as far back as Menelik's era. These documents include marriage licenses; court cases; appeals; decisions by emperors Menelik and Haile Selassie; reports by Fitawrari Wolde Giorgis; news clippings about Ethiopia from abroad, etc.
From its title, Ye Jemila Inat gives the impression that it is about Muslim socio-political problems in Ethiopia. When Tesfayehanded me an advance copy of the book last week, I was curious to know who Jamila's mother is. "Are you out to make Muslims and Christians fight, as you have done with Oromo and Amhara," I jokingly inquired. Tesfaye laughed and replied, "You will have to read and be surprised."
The new work is a collection of 35 short stories: works of fiction based on true stories, articles and anecdotal diaries. Most of the stories in the 220-page book that Tesfaye calls "Ye Isat Dar Wegoch," roughly translated as fireside chats, are not necessarily new. But it's some of the minute details that I found most surprising. For example, the chapter about Jamila's mother is a tale about Haileselassie's family root. It's a common knowledge that Haileselassie had an Oromo ancestry. But few details are known about his mother's family tree. Tesfaye notes, the late king mentions his mother's name only twice in his book, My life and Ethiopia's Progress. "He mentioned his mother's name (without mentioning her father's name) only to say she had me and she passed away," Tesfaye wrote.
In the book Tesfaye recounts her Muslim background and also tells us her given name was Jemila. He details how the name was changed to Yeshimebet and efforts by Ethiopianist writers who've repeatedly tried to conceal this fact by adding her a different last name and identity. Tesfaye notes that Haileselassie, who had Oromo, Muslim and Gurage background, hid or disowned his family roots to protect his throne and be accepted into the Orthodox Amhara-dominated system. He ends the chapter about Jamila's mother with a poignant observation: Ethiopia's racist feudal system had the ability to frighten its leaders as with the ordinary folk.
Tesfaye is a political writer and keen observer of Oromo-Ethiopian politics. Using the official archival accounts, he takes bold positions, including in one chapter where he proposes a Horn of Africa union (similar to Lencho Lata's proposal for forging Horn of Africa as a common homeland for various ethno-national groups in the subregion).
The book also spills the dirty secrets of other past Ethiopian leaders: from relationship to awful deeds they committed against the masses to stay on power. For example, who knew one of Menelik's daughter was orphaned at 8 years old when her mother died?How about an attempt by Sertse Dingil's wife to make an unborn child blind to prevent him from taking the throne based on a prevailing prophecy, which as Tesfaye notes has greatly contributed to making Ethiopian history a contested, singular narrative.
There are also a few chapters dealing with the issue of church and the state. In one instance, he writes about how the official state religion, the Orthodox Church passed a decree urging people to fast Wednesdays and Fridays and how that was later changed to Saturdays by another decree from the Catholic Church. It underscores the trials and psychological trauma the people of Ethiopia endured in the name of religion. And the violent history of forced conversion and expansion of religion, both Islam and Christianity, to Ethiopia. It made me question not only the faith of those leaders but also why God allowed them to do those things.
It is these kinds of perennial questions and the war between the two churches that forced Abba Zerayakob took refuge in the forest, according to Tesfaye. While there, he prayed and questioned God searching for answers. He wanted to understand which God is the real God, who he was praying to, who gave him wisdom, why he was there, etc.
Zerayakob hated humans because of their inability to question. He was angry about the fact that people believed they knew a lot and did not want to explore more. After years of contemplation, Zerayakob came to a conclusion that others believed their religion was the right one, much the same way he thought about his own. He believed in God's existence and the fact that he created the universe but eventually concluded it's not possible to give this God a name. He gave up christianity and religious life.
Overall, Tesfaye has ably and artistically weaved so many historical events into such a short book. Ye Jamila Inat is a snapshot of historical accounts, culture and indigenous knowledge, life in exile, ethnic tension and politics in Ethiopia. Those who read and liked his previous works would greatly enjoy reading this book. As Tesfaye notes in the preface, Ye Jemila Inat will be yet another disappointment for his detractors and those who insist on maintaining a falsified and distorted account of Ethiopia's past.
It goes without saying that there's always more than one perspective to every story. Tesfaye is one among those who are curious about the other side of the Ethiopian history. It is also clear that history books are open ended and inconclusive even in countries that have developed a culture of documenting and writing well ahead of Ethiopia. In this respect, Ye Jamila Inat will be a great addition to many contemporary works about Ethiopia by historians, writers, film producers, artists and so on. To be sure, Tesfaye is not a historian and doesn't claim to be one but most of his books are based on a true story.
As such, instead of trying to suppress a voice different from that which we have been led to believe, it will be better to interrogate both sides of the Ethiopian story so as to use it to understand the past. That is the only way we can shape our future and not repeat the ugly mistakes of yesteryears.
--*The writer, Tigist Geme, is a citizen journalist and activist based in Washington, D.C.
=>opride
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