The Sixth Ethiopian Music festival was held between January 9, 2007 through January 17, 2007. This year, the festival was dedicated to Amha Eshete, Ethiopia’s first independent music producer. Though I was in Addis during some of these dates, prior engagements and unforseen events prevented me to attend all but one date.
The closing date was at the Alliance Ethio-Francaise. There were two events set for that date, a documentary film on a live performance by Mahmoud Ahmed with the Either Orchestra and a live concert of Getachew Mekuria and the Dutch band, The Ex with their guests. The show was beyond remarkable. To say that the 72 year old Getachew, dazzled and mesmerized me was an under statement. It was at this concert that I picked up the their CD.
A little background on Getachew Mekuria. Getachew Mekuria was born in Yefat,Shewa, Ethiopia in 1935. At the age of 13, quit school and joined the Municipality music band. He started off by playing the clarinet first but then moved to the saxophone. In 1948 he took a music test and passed to join the Municipality Orchetra. During his career, he also played at the Haile Selassie I Theatre and the Police Orchestra.
Continue reading ‘Getachew goes Punk!’
Published by Ethio Jazz August 15th, 2007 in Music and Podcast.
It was at the University of Maryland’s ESAi‘s annual culture show we were introduced to Mike E. There was so much hype surrounding him as an artist I couldn’t wait for his performance. I don’t think any of us were ready for what was in store for us. His performance began with an introduction video highlighting his passion and his work as a philanthropist.
In the beginning I had assumed he was Ethiopian, but then later learned he is an African American born in Ethiopia. I was impressed by the video since his art primarily involved Ethiopian culture. He is a spoken word artist, a lyricist, an actor and above all a humanitarian. He has been featured in several major publications such as VIBE and has appeared several times on HBO’s Russell Simmons’s Def Poetry series.
His music is not only entertaining but also inspiring. It is a message of hope and change. Many of you might have come across Mike E this past soccer tournament in Dallas. Therefore you are familiar with his amazing performance. He exudes an energy that consumes the audience.
Continue reading ‘Call him Micky’
Published by Meron August 13th, 2007 in Music and Poetry.
First off I would like to apologize in advance for those who are apt to be sensitive. I was once asked a question;
Why should they support you?
I believe it was Chelema that eloquently put it on a reply to a comment I made. He was referring to the level of support Ethiopians provide for art and artists. It made me think, and he is right no Ethiopian is required to pay for music just because it’s Ethiopian music; same applies to any form of art.
This brings up a point, “responsibility of consumer.” We are in a state of global capitalism, i.e. known as globalization for most. The term is misleading, it’s actually consumerism and yet that term is also misleading, but what I really wanted to say was, what is produced is decided by the market.
America has the most bargaining power, influence over the phenomenon they defined as globalization not because they have the most money, but because they spend the most money.
Americans constitute less than 5% of the world’s population, consume 25% of world’s resources, including 26% of the world’s energy, although having only 3% of the world’s known oil reserves, American’s impact on the environment is at least 250 times greater than a Sub-Saharan African.
Now critiques would disagree, that having the most money automatically reinforces the level of consumption. If so, my argument is why does the rest of the world including that of sub-Saharan Africa buy everything American? You might have a small drink named Coca-Cola, or a small hill in Los Angeles that they have tagged Hollywood, the US film industry. Continue reading ‘Gullit Mentality’
Published by Nolawi August 8th, 2007 in Advice and Bernos.
part I
i wrote this email to my friends about three weeks ago about my experience in Ethiopia. for what it worth, i thought the bernos community would like to hear about some of the things I experienced.
enjoy. any feedback/questions/comments are welcome.
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it’s been some 18 days since I got to addis and this will be the first time i’ll break silence about my experience here thus far. here is my unvarnished look of addis ababa.
so far, my experience had been somewhat mixed. not so great, not so bad. somewhere in between. for starter, if i had a chance to come back again, i would not fly British Airways 
I never got my luggage esKahun. only after 17 days, yesterday, i received one of the luggages but the stuff inside was wet. it appears that BA just left the luggage in london rain. some of the cloths were ruined. the other two luggages are yet to be found; assuming they will find them intact. most of the stuff i need for my work was in one of the missing luggage. i have been a sitting duck. it is frustrating!
i have been calling the BA service desk, but no avail. they are unhelpful. All they were ‘trained’ to say was ‘tinish tibeQu ato Mikael, yimetaLotal’ Ethiopian Airlines is no better, but bihonim sayishal ayQerim. They will a at least bring your luggages in about 5 days Consider that excellent customer service — Ethiopia style! *dinQem service. ashmur intended* Continue reading ‘the ethiopian i did not found’
Published by .mike August 5th, 2007 in Advice, Noteworthy and Series.
Sentimental songs that put me in the back to the days of boyhood; I was actually old enough to actually listen to these hits of the time. These songs are not oldies but sure enough are goodies.
His singing career span to almost three decades; one of the leading vocalist of the then very popular Roha Band; writer, producer, singer no an artist in all senses but his greatest asset from my perspective is his love for everything Ethiopian.
No singer of his time is as patriotic, and he is loved for it. It’s a great honor for me to listen to his hits of the boyhood days. Ladies and gents, these podcast has been long in the coming, when I asked Ethio Jazz to make sure to get a CD from Ethiopia last February. Continue reading ‘Ayayayaya yaa!’
Published by Nolawi August 2nd, 2007 in Music and Podcast.
