Soul's Wisdom

Every time a new-year looms one of the things that always comes to mind is resolutions…for change! (I’m sure you all have at least quite a few ones for this year).This is mostly true because we know and really feel deep inside that our current life-form or status needs some (if not full) sort of transformation. We all have an innate desire to make over. But I guess we require some kind of time-zone momentum to give in our ingrained habits, or else, we wouldn’t wait the beginning of every year to make some commitments. However, honestly speaking, turning these resolutions to fruition is, for the most part, very difficult. Although I don’t have any statistics to support me at the moment, among the common Ethiopian New Year’s resolutions, saving money, quit smoking, getting married, drinking less alcohol and nowadays getting fit stand out. Unfortunately, at the end of the year, we find many of our resolutions unresolved. The main reason appears that we humans (I don’t know whether thi...

Football carries heavy political and symbolic significance…footballs diffusion across the world allows different cultures and nations to construct particular forms of identity through their interpretation and practice of the game. “Richard Giulianotti, ‘Football: Sociology of the global game’ I am not actually packed(so to speak ) about the whim of football as such. Nonetheless, more than any other time I know of, this year’s soccer cup tournament in South Africa seems to have unearthed (at least to some of us) a totally different disposition and quirks in many people (mind you, this did not exclude VIPs in the political arena) than the usual mind-set we have known for years. Well, as many would agree, soccer (football) is a magical game that can draw countless crowds (guys, we’ve already witnessed this incident) due to the excitement, passion, emotion and dedication it creates among fans. The fact that we see plenty of reasonably logical people (oh, yes, like myself) showing lo...

Patriots Day and election season have already concurred in May … (by the way, we have started the voting system for election just some five years back). This choice of timing has given the month of May a unique place in our nation’s history - a time to celebrate a new election culture. (It’s funny, though, that this historic event coincided with other countries in Europe, too). What amazed me was the language of political parties and the tune of the melodies heard on various media on these two entirely different occasions, that is, during the election campaigns and commemoration of the Patriots Day - appear to be analogous, if not identical. These songs are called K’әrәrto ïna Shïlәla, /Praise songs & heroic Chants/. This is what my piece attempts to focus today. Praise songs/ K’әrәrto/and heroic chants /Shïlәla / were at first meant to describe social and political resistance, especially in the northern part of Ethiopia, Gojjam region, to be more specific. They mainly reflect...

I believe it’s quite natural to say a few things about football game at this time of the year when the 2010 World Football Cup competition is imminent here in our continent (we’re not accustomed to calling it soccer around here but I’ll keep on using both alternatively for the sake of my various readers' understanding). Football has travelled a very long voyage to reach the phase where it’s now in Africa. While it hasn’t per se arrived at the stage where it should have been, the present status of African football in general and Ethiopian soccer in particular, hasn’t been very well (you well know that I’m an optimist and always look at the glass half-full, although I kin’ of lost enthusiasm with our football teams lately). The reason why many, like me, deflect in seeing foreign soccer, in particular, European soccer, rather than the local ones is, hence, obvious…we all want to see real talents in the “battlefield”. However, our passionate sensations towards the game as a whole...

“We never know the worth of water till the well is dry,” said Thomas Fuller (Gnomologia, 1732). This seems to be typically true to most of our fully unutilized rivers, and especially appropriate to the longest river of the continent - Abay Wәnz (Abay River). Although Ethiopia has got several rivers, Awash, Ak’aki, Baro, Ch’elek’lak’a, Didesa, Erer, Genale, Gibe, Omo, to mention a few, they never appeared to be very noteworthy to the country (or perhaps accentuated, as such) until recently, I guess, with the nation’s growing shortage of water and all other natural resources as well as the current global debate of alternative energy. Well, the drastic measures taken to build a gigantic hydroelectric power with our Gibe Wәnz is commendable, though. That could be a panacea to most of the now-and-then power outage that we see now. That being as it may, my today’s piece focuses on one of our potentially rich river, the Abay Wәnz (Abay River). Setting out its journey to the Mediterranea...

This year the rains appear to be a little protracted… mind you, appear to be (not in reality), as compared to the last couple of years. Just because in those years didn’t rain as much intensity doesn’t mean it shouldn’t rain this year (sounded like the expert in metreology). The period of the rainy season normally ends by 1st week of our 2nd month, Tïk’ïmt, October, if I’m not mistaken. The other day I heard someone being grumpy about the “heavy”, at times, “hasty” rain of Addis Ababa and the surrounding areas. Sitting next to his and his partner’s table at a local restaurant, I and my friend could obviously tell that this person was sick and tired of the current rains, by what he was intensely talking at the top of his voice. (Nonetheless, I guess the nature of rain is all the same elsewhere: I mean, it comes when it has to and goes when it’s finished in its own time). In other words, this is how nature operates – in seasons (so far so good). So, simply being cranky about everyt...

Pastor /Priest/ to the bride: Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only to him forevermore? Bride: "I do". There’s always a season for everything under the sun, says the Holy Bible. Now that the fasting time of the year is over, the big season is already well underway, once again – the period where many budding couples desperately waiting for … that day when this special bond between the two souls is instituted through tying the wedding knot after promising to become companions for a lifetime… the day when they would be able to say “I do”, witnessing to public. There’s no doubt about it, wedding ceremonies are in full swing and you can observe this at any corner of our major cities, specially, on weekends in the month of April. Indeed this is the season when the words “I do” are heard in churches all over the country and the weight of the promise resonates in the hearts of happy couples who want to devote themselves...

Apart from being the lengthy fasting season (Lent) which made many of us “hibernate” from k’urt’, t’ibs and kitfo (raw, roasted and minced meat), which are the majority’s favorites, (not to mention alcoholic beverages, in some instances), March is a historic month not only for Ethiopia but for the whole of Africa, too. And certainly equally momentous for women all over the world…hope you know what I’m getting at…the International Women’s Day. So, if now and then I wander from one of these thoughts to the other in this article, I hope you’ll forgive my lack of focus as I have already confessed. Besides, you must have noticed that I was pooped from the long fasting…and perhaps busy work … and needed to have a break…just kidding. Almost a week before the Int’l women’s day, Ethiopians always honor their triumph against a foreign aggression at Adwa. Stunning as it was, the anniversary of the battle of Adwa, is a commemoration of THE greatest victory against foreign belligerence in the A...

Haven‘t you ever bumped into certain quips somewhere at some time and has still reverberated in your mind ever since? I bet you have! Some of them might be from a book you read, from an ad or a public sign your eyes have seen. You can‘t help but remember some of these epigrams due to the packed ideas they flaunted through few words. Since they‘re typically short, it‘s easier to learn them by heart. For instance, I can‘t forget the following English quips I read some years ago: ‘Success is not access to excess’, or “On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger near the escape key” or “Take care to get what you like or you will be forced to like what you get”. How beautifully coined! The meanings are just awe-inspiring. Amharic language, too, lends itself to various forms of figures of speech and witticism, in the form of wisecrack called k’Ϊne. For instance, let‘s have a look at the following: hodΪn bə gomən bidəlΪlut gulbət bədagət yΪləgΪmal (If one tries to deceive oneself b...

For anyone, (of course, other than who locks himself up at home possibly, for fear of transmission of ….forget it!) who scrutinizes the scenes on the streets during the last couple of weekends (and week-days) it has already started smelling holiday. It would be easier to figure out from the repeated horns of cars in a non-traffic streets that this is the start of a wedding season. This is so immediately following 'Fasika' /Ethiopian Easter/. Central Statistics Office (CSO) may have it right, but I guess hundreds or even thousands may apply for issuance of marriage certificate during this time; perhaps equal numbers of huge bulls and sheep might be slaughtered for these joyous occasions. I wish them all happy and prosperous marriages! The fact that nothing has changed the grandiose arrangements seem to reflect that the economic downturn has little effect on expenses on weddings around here – the motto appears 'blissful times like these have to be colorfully celebrated, AN...

You may ask any Ethiopian anywhere in the country (or for that matter, anywhere under the sun where they‘re found in abundance) and you‘ll soon find out they‘re members of one or both of these informal socio-economic institutions called Ϊk’ub and ΪdΪr (sorry, if I oversimplify). Ϊk’ub and ΪdΪr are the two most common, lasting, and efficient time-honored socio-economic institutions Ethiopians long ago created. Let‘s see them both. Ϊk’ub is an association which are often set up by any small group of people (friends, colleagues or just neighbors) in order to provide substantial rotating fund for members with the intention of improving their lives and living conditions. The members of Ϊk’ub usually gather under a tree shade (nowadays, at any convenient place) to discuss and find panaceas to their economic problems. This alliance could be provisional or lasting, depending on the financial needs of the members. Ϊk’ub is more flexible and accessible than the modern banks and requires minima...

Have you ever thought that there would be any connection between a bone (perhaps with roasted soft meat on it) and a month? Seems weird, isn’t it? There is, however, a sound link between the Ethiopian second month, T’ϊkϊmt, and bone, at’ϊnt, (naturally with meat to chew on it). Here’s the story: As the rainy season gives in to the beginning of the sunny time of the year, the second month, T’ϊkϊmt ( October), the weather specially, the mornings and nights suddenly turn chilly (at least used to be), as it is the coldest month of the year(appears to be paradoxical to have cool weather with the coming of the sunny days). It was common to hear lots of bedside stories beginning like “once on a usual cold October day” and so forth. And the elderly people usually counsel people to eat a little more meat than usual at this period so as to survive the chilly climate. That’s why we have the saying bə T’ϊkϊmt and at’ϊnt which is literally translated as ‘A bone with meat on it is required in mo...

I remember an ex-colleague who once said, "The moment I read about the iniquity of drinking, I gave up read-ing" (…instead of drinking). He has never once believed that drinking is too bad. He could have been the first to call me and ―herald the recent incredible ―flat-earth kind of news released by BBC, had he not renounced reading anything about alcohol. Just last week, a British Medical Journal published the works of a lead researcher professor Morten Gronbaek from the National Institute of Public Health in Denmark. In brief, the study pointed out that people will be ―immune from incidence of heart at-tacks, strokes, and other forms of circulatory disease, and might reduce the incidence of certain cancers if only they are drinkers. This study suggests that the benefits of boozing increase with age. Accordingly, ―indeed over age 65, not only does moderate drinking prolong life, but so does heavy drinking! The moderate drinkers have a 40 percent lower mortality rate than t...

The International Handbook on Alcohol and Culture says toasting "is probably a secular vestige of ancient sacrificial libations in which a sacred liquid was offered to the gods: blood or wine in exchange for a wish, a prayer summarized in the words ‘long life!’ or ‘to your health’’! Indeed it’s an old tradition that can be dated back to the time of the ancient Greeks. Another document states that whenever there was a gathering or a massive celebration, the Greeks would gather, pour wine and toast one another celebrating the occasion. This gesture was later picked up by the other cultures around the world and passed on through generations until we end up with the toasting tradition that we know today. Toasting is something that is done at almost every celebratory or festive occasion where one a person or two may stand up and say a few nice things either about the person or persons or the occasion. As you know, they then will clink their glasses together and cheer before downing th...

As the week began with Martin Luther King’s day, it‘s natural to honorably echo his life, legacy, bravery and his influence elsewhere in the world. Not only as the symbolic leader of American blacks but also as a world figure whose imprints had universal impact. His struggle for freedom and human rights left a great impression throughout the nations. His love for his people and country didn‘t let him sit idly with his arms folded and allow brutality to reign over his own fellowmen. He was arrested twenty times and assaulted at least four times; yet, he didn‘t give up, and his unwavering struggle finally took away his life, as well. However, his sacrifice bore fruits eventually. When I think of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., another man always comes to my mind concurrently in Ethiopian history. Both individuals had some marked similarities, which is the focus of today‘s piece. Not only were both of these people God‘s servants, but also passionate lovers of their people and country....

Falling down the stairs is perhaps not pretty high on your anxiety list at the moment. However, the March, 2009 report of CDC on morbidity and mortality rate stated that “every day about 240 people go to emergency rooms nationwide for injuries from falls involving dogs and cats ” http://blogs.usatoday.com/betterlife/2009/03/see-spot-trip-y.html .This sank in to my mind and generated ideas that could be used for today’s consumption. It is not my intention to bring to your notice something awful, but it seems inevitable to bump into some of these situations at one time or another, according to the info. Or at least, it’s sometimes unavoidable to be right on the spot when they actually occur. Imagine the scene of falling down the stairs holding books or cups. Or more seriously, skidding and falling with one of the kids or losing balance while carrying them near a banister on a 1st floor (let’s hope, nothing serious happens). Or just imagine a huge robust shelf fall and crash on (oh...

You know that the English word ‘invalid’ conveys two meanings depending on whether the stress falls on the first syllable (vowel) ‘`invalid’ meaning ‘feeble or sickly’, or while the stress falls in the second syllable ‘in`valid’ ‘unacceptable or void’. Similarly, Amharic has a couple of “invalids”. Take a look at them: ‘wa`na’ means ‘main or major’ when the stress falls on ‘n’. So you can say ‘wa`na hasab nəw’, to mean ‘It’s a main idea’. Careful, ‘wana’ means ‘swimming’, pronounced without any stress. So you can say wana t’ïru sport nəw’ (Swimming is a good sport). ‘a`lə’ with a stress on ‘l’ means ‘there is’, as in ‘zinab a`lə’ (there’s rain). Without a stress, however, it means ‘he said ’, as ‘ïsu yïhïn alə’ (he said this). ‘`gəna’ with a stress on the 1st syllable `g refers to the traditional game usually played at Christmas or sometimes, the Christmas holiday itself. However, with no stress gəna means ‘yet’, as ‘gəna nəw’ (It’s not yet). Amharic has a couple of them like...

We all know that hair is an outer expression of culture and heritage. It’s true that apart from being an image of personal elegance, most of our contemporary hair styles that are donned by folks in Ethiopia are not merely reflections of fashion. They run deper than sheer craze. In other words, the hairstyles we see at present, be it those of gentlemen, ladies, or children are all intensely ingrained in our past. A two-hour or so drive north, south , east or west of the country will depict this fact, as you will be able to witness the numerous hairstyles of women and men: Sadula, Zerantϊch, Gədera, Gofəre, Gufta, Eshem Dereb, Gungun, Mərtu, Shuruba, Gutena, Nazrawi, etc. While it calls for deeper analysis to discuss each type of hairstyle in their cultural and historical contexts, today’s piece deals with solely the one that is still very popular and trendy no less than it was in the earlier era – the shuruba. Among the ones mentioned, some seem to communicate a range of symbolic mean...

I’m not yet done with Afar region. Well, it might be mind boggling for some to think of Afar as a spectacular location where not only the homeland of the oldest hominid like Ardi, but also a site with a spectacular geological phenomen. This is what today’s piece is about. This is the reason why nobody except those who are blessed to see it with their bare eyes, could their appreciation be profound and marvel at the true worth of this exceptional geological phenomenon. It is here where you could actually use the English saying "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" for it can’t be otherwise. As much as Ethiopia is endowed with medley culture, she also has a unique ecological mosaic: a landscape that varies from 116 meters below sea level at the beaming sulfuric blaze of Dallol Depression, in the Afar region, to the alpine highland peaks that rise to 4620 meters above sea level at Ras Dashen in the rocky Semien mountains; besides, the world's most phenomenal rift va...

Ethiopians are famed for quite a number of things, among others, such as, being the original home of the human race(the recently found 4 million-old hominid, Ardi, is to be recalled); the long-race running, which has produced worldwide legendary athletes as none before, such as Abebe Bikila, Mirus Yifter, Haile G/selassie, Derartu Tulu, Meseret Defar and many others; the sundry magnificent historical sites, (such as Lalibela, Axum, Fasil Wall, and the like that vividly portray the former civilization); Dallol Depression which is nature’s unique endowment in the midst of diverse climate ; the distinctive eating traditions and cuisines that, I’m sure, have become addictive to many foreigners, the multifarious dazzling cultures of the no-less than 80 ethnic groups …and so on. In case if you’re unaware, there’s one more addition to these, in fact, a peculiar one. This addition is the prestigious emblem of the nation and the continent at large - Ethiopian Airlines (EAL) (commonly kno...