I noticed him leaning up against the booth as I approached to get into my car. I sensed something was wrong because everyday he would wave goodbye, but today he seems to look directly at me but did not respond to my wave. So I decided to approach him, to make sure all was ok.
His name is Mesfin, an Ethiopian parking attendant. I would park my car there every day and we always made small talk about daily events.
I asked him, "Mesin, menew zare zem alek?" he replied with, "wey alayehushem" so I told him I'm so used to him waving and I was concerned. So on that day I spent almost an hour talking with him and he revealed to me that he needed to send some amount of cash to Addis for his family because his sister was having a Qelebet. I know he works two jobs and he's constantly sending money to his family. Continue reading ‘Zemed Alegn Amerika’
Published by celebratelife April 11th, 2007 in Advice.
About four years ago I met a friend who I hadn’t seen in years. We had lunch and the talk turned into "about women chatter."
Then he pulled his wallet out and showed me a picture of all his conquests, she was like this and she was like that. ‘buono, il brutto, il cattivo;’ clearly the objective was not intended to be immoral.
Nevertheless, the way I see it, talking about woman as conquests have a negative impact on our small society. Ethiopian ladies have problems being open with Ethiopian guys for mostly two reasons;
The first is that some males (not just Ethiopians) look at woman as a trophy, they judge their manhood by the number or by the beauty of the woman they “triumph over.” There is just one problem with that, its not “triumph” if no one knows about it. They do what ever it takes to notify everyone about it! Continue reading ‘Weregnoch!’
Published by Nolawi April 9th, 2007 in Dating and Podcast.
Enkuan le Fasika abro Aderesen!
Growing up, Fasika meant a lot to me, as it did to many in Ethiopia. Idealist Ethiopia aside, Ethiopian culture, heritage and tradition is closely intermingled with the traditional quote on quote Ethiopian religion, which most would agree to be the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
The contention that my Ethiopia is not everyone's Ethiopia is for the lack of a better word is 'lame.' Sociological culture is nurtured though history through various means as socio-political, religion, tradition and basically every variable.
Culturally Fasika is a celebration on which we feasted. Ironically, Fasika means feast. Continue reading ‘Fasika’
Published by Nolawi April 6th, 2007 in Social.
Nolawi's post on "Fua Fua yilal Dodgu" reminded me that I had slacked off on the blog and need to get back to business!
For those unaware, "Dodgu" was first performed back in the early 60's if not earlier–I still have to find the original artist. Netsanet Melesse re-recorded it in the mid 1980's with the Second Walias Band.The post also reminded me of a song that was recorded in the summer of 1971. Imagine yourself in a cramped up recording studio in the middle of Addis with the legendary Haile Selassie I Theatre Orchestra. On this particular day, two songs were recorded by Philips Ethiopia.
Side A was 'Aderech Arada' by Menelik Wossenachew and Side B was 'Qelemewa' by Telela Kebede. Both songs were written by the great Getachew Debalqe, actor and lyricist at the HIM I Theatre. Both songs were arranged by Getachew Degefu (1944-2002). Though known for his amazing skills on the keys, Getachew Degefu however was first recruited to the theatre as a vocalist. In both songs you can hear Getachew Degefu's organ solo. Continue reading ‘Oldies but Goodies III’
Published by Ethio Jazz April 3rd, 2007 in Music and Series.
I heard it when I was really young not into music that much, but I remember liking the zema and puzzled about the meaning arnechata. If you don’t know what song I am talking about its Netsanet Mellesse’s Dodge. I don’t know much about her except that she was the original lead singer of second Wallias Band.
Fua Fua yilale dochgu!
Who knows what it really means? I have no idea, but about four months ago I got my hands on the copy and it’s been in rotation as I have been trying to learn the lyrics.
I think I finally got it! And it’s a great song! The lyrics, the arrangement, this is truly a classic! Continue reading ‘Fua Fua’
Published by Nolawi April 1st, 2007 in Music and Podcast.
