By Samuel Estefanous
Misread and Misrepresented
One of the millions of instances that validate the saying ignorance breeds suspicion, builds up hatred and erupts into open conflict is the successive interviews the late crooner Hachalu Hundesa had given in the months preceding his death. He knew he was misread and misrepresented. When he was asked if he listens to Teddy Afro, he took the dialogue to another level and shot back why he wouldn’t. He knew a lot of unquestioned presumptions were ascribed to him and had fettered and clouded his persona. Worst of all, he was expected to live up to something he wasn’t. Being a direct descendant of an Adwa martyr, he made it abundantly clear that he wouldn’t allow anybody to cast aspersions on his Ethiopian identity. It isn’t something benevolently extended to him by another, he had implied.
It was like he had a premonition he wouldn’t last long and it felt like he was in a lot of hurry to leave behind a testament. God bless him, he kinda did, too. In his own way, Jawar Mohamed is also able to debunk the phantom that had edged out his true person. The Jawar that comes out staggering through the kaleidoscope of his book is hardly the one conjectured by the figment of our free imagination. Contrary to popular perception, he happens to be just one of these easy going multicultural kids hailing from small towns in Oromia albeit his political persuasion. When it comes to the latter, the chasm that divides your respective stands might be gaping but after reading his book chances are he ends up being that pesky kid next door who refuses to concede a defeat after losing a soccer match at the kebele ‘meda’. In other words, he is relatable. I am sorry I am reading a bootlegged copy but in all honesty it is a good read.
The storming of Fort Ji’bala
This invincible fort is located in Gojjam, I stand to be corrected but I believe it was Haddis Alemayehu who had acquainted the rest of us to the Amba in his novel Yelimijat. Remember Engineer Yiliqal of the defunct Semayawi Party? In the immediate aftermath of the latest government shakeup, he had given an interview to Bethlehem Tafesse. His words still ring in my ears. In a defeatist temperament he noted that he was no longer that uncompromising firebrand who pukes in the face of ethnic nationalism. ‘I have had my lessons in history,’ he had observed.
Looks like circumstances have forced millions to bend course. In a recent article featured on Borkena, speaking for Amhara Nationalism, someone had protested that the Amhara aren’t the designated keepers of Ethiopian unity. He was asking us not to encumber the cause with an overarching non-immediate purpose. Apparently, he was intimating that just like Jawar had spoken for Oromia, Amhara comes first and then they can talk about Ethiopia with the rest of Nationalities at the broader political buffet table. Under the circumstances, totally understandable, isn’t it?-an existential counterforce, allegedly. I don’t remember who but someone has said that ‘Amhara Nationalism was conceived by the FDRE Constitution, incubated by TPLF and hatched by Keroo-now deal with it if you dare as the spirit has escaped the capsule!’ Obviously as the late comers to the Club, excesses are expected and just like any process in its formative phase of fermentation it is liable to wreak havoc. Anyway, it looks like at long last the FDRE Constitution has come full circle. Hallelujah, just kidding, maybe not.
Yet still it feels like there is a pitiless void, like the last fort of Ethiopia First is stormed. One cannot stop the wheels of history; I understand it isn’t like a vehicle that could be brought to a screeching halt to avoid a heads on crush. But we can always talk smoothly our way out of any possible head-on crush. That is the beauty of politics- there are endless possibilities to explore in a genuine effort to spare life and property. Besides, for the good of the CommonWealth it would be commendable not to undermine those marginalized Ethiopians who are denied political representation by Article 8 of the FDRE Constitution. Whether we like it or hate it at the end of the day they stand out as the ultimate crème de la crème of the society holding the intellectual and moral high ground. You know why? They are naturally chosen torch bearers of the eternal flame commemorating the triumph that is Adwa and the renaissance of the entire black race along with likeminded black diaspora.
So sings GG- አድዋ ዛሬም ናት፡፡
Celebrity Crush
In the early 2000, most young folks had a huge crush on GG. She was our collective celebrity crush chiefly on account of her epic song Adwa. I am not going to lie, her wuha teyim complexion coupled with her incredible humility is the epitome of Habesha feminine beauty. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone says he had listened to her che’wata with Me’aza on Sheger FM multiple times over and over again. She giggles sweetly and self-consciously like a little girl thrown into a company of grownups. Time and again Me’aza tries to get her to talk about the great milestones she had conquered but she wouldn’t be drawn out. Instead she talks about her literally being unemployed at great length and with ease; and that she wasn’t doing gigs not because she didn’t want to but because promoters rarely invite her. Instead of dwelling on her talent, she tries to explain why unlike Aster (who delivers notes “effortlessly”) she had to exert humongous effort to calibrate her voice and that she suffers from serious self-doubting. No wonder it looks to her diehard fans that she is too good and too talented to make a good living in the music industry. We owe her a lot if only on account of Adwa. Her inimitable rendition should be played at Adwa Zero Zero every blessed good morning.
God Bless.
The writer can be reached at : estefanoussamuel@yahoo.com
Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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“Misread, misrepresented” does encapsulate our national dilemma. The question now is, How do we drown out shrill toxic voices that sow denials and deaths? For a starter, we need to re-read our history and participate vigorously in such activities. The Hachalus, Jawars, and GGs of our land should exhibit urgent intention to counter and root out seeds sown by satanic Tplf. A lot of work awaits us. In the meantime, keep scribbling. Perhaps, someone would catch the fire.
Dear Alem
Trust me we can ‘ drown the toxic voices ‘… you know why?
At the end of the day like the Scripture says the Truth shall set us all free.
God Bless.