http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnmiqdCj_a8
The above link is a Harari song which I tried to imitate the Bule family's singing style. I excerpted this song in remembrance of my dear friend, AbdulSettar Bule, who died accidentally with a heart failure (Let Allah put his soul in peace in Jannah).
AbulSattar was a friend who understands humor, always eager to learn new things and very artistic.
He has contributed lots of articles in the local news paper in Harar, Ethiopia. His writing skills were very fascinating. But above all, he was loved by many, and his sudden departure has been a torment for me.
I wish all his family members "Sabri wa Eman"
Allahu Karim.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Bete Israels (Falashas) Part 2 :: By: Wehib Bayou
The part 1 story of the Falasha people was emphasizing on the origins of the Falashas or oftenly called Bete Israels, based on serious archaeological studies carried out, that are disclosing each time more and more of the fact that THERE WAS NO TEACHING OF THE MONOTHEISTIC (ORIT) RELIGION IN THE DA’AMAT- AXUM STATE BEFORE THE COMING OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE 330S BY GRECO-ROMANS TO THE REGION. ( Bete Israels part 1: Wehib Bayou).
With a scientific estimation, in 300-320 A.D, it is documented in the kings Greek and Ge’ez chronicles that two Axumite Kings made a campaign of incursion upon the neighboring ‘Simien’ and ‘Walqa’it’ people and lands, where upon the word “Simien” was for the first time pointed out.
We are unfortunate to tell the history between 320 and 1270 (for about 1000 years) where what happened between those times appear to be blank in terms of what is available to us through historical records.
However, the political fairy-tale that was created after 1270 distorted the ancient indigenous name “Simien” land and people, to “Aihuud” and “Falasha”, and the people have been indicted as alien destroyers of the Axumite Empire and its civilization, by their woman militant leader “Gudit”. On the other hand, the “Kebra Nagast” that was translated from Arabic to Ge’ez in 1350 claims that the neighboring Simien/Falashas, Tigre, Amhara Rulers and Christian Rabbis (in Ge’ez ‘kahn’), are labeled as Jews, who migrated from Jerusalem to Ethiopia, lead by “Emperor Menelik the first, the Son of King Solomon and The Queen of Sheba” in around 1000 B.C; bringing with them the Orit (Moses’s) Laws and Religion.
It is also worth to notice that the nine Greek-Romans ‘saints’ translated the Bible from Greek to Ge’ez for the first time in Axum between 450 and 570 A.D, and also founded the rules of the monastery and monks.
Between the years 1337 and 1450, teachers of the monks and the monasteries, the assemblage called ‘Aeostatians’, started for the first time taught and strongly consolidated the Orit (Old Testament) laws and rules side by side with Christianity religion in the whole region of the highlands of Tigre, Agaw, Amhara and Simien/Falasha neighboring and interrelated societies.
According to available documents, there were three major historical events that occurred in Ethiopia that are worth to mention in this topic.
1. Within the estimated time between 1270 and 1577, it is recorded in the consecutive Kings Chronicles that for about 300 years, successive Solomonic Kings crusaded incessantly in time and places upon Muslims and pagan faith believers of Shoa, Warji, Yifat, Dawaro, Arbabini, Sharka, Bale, Dera, Adal, Mora, Lebekela, Hagera, the Fedise, Gided, Negeb, Zeba, Hubet, Tersa, Iyim, Harla, Ilbro, Zeila, Istee, Argoba, Fitegar, Harar, Silti, Gurage, Hadia, Ausa, Doba, Waj, Somali, Kembata, Gamo, Wolaita, Gafat, Janjero (Yem), Damot, Bosha, Inarya, Bizamo people and their administrations; solemnly destroying the economic, political, defense, religion, cultural and traditional structures of these people.
2. It is also recorded that from 1523-1543 Imam Ahmed Bin Al-Ghazi (The left hand) rose a rebellion in retaliation, that incorporated and mobilized the Muslims and Indigenous religion believers of that Part of Africa, including the Orits Simien/Falashas against the Christian Government, and until the coming of the assisting force of the Portuguese from India, inflicted a severe damage on the Christian Kingdom and its structure.
3. The rebellion war of Imam Ahmed- the left, apart from the damage it brought to the Christian forces, it resulted the Migration and Settlement of the Indigenous Oromo societies in the North Eastern part of Africa and also opened the door to the “Great Peoples’ Movement” in 1520-1620.
Therefore, the weakened Christian Government in Ethiopia in the 16th Century was forced restrain itself on the Northern Highlands and central highlands; thus within the coming 3 centuries, local political forces and movements emerged in Gondar, Tigrai and Shoa. The common long term bond of these local forces and movements was to rebuild what was destroyed in the 16th Century by the above mentioned major occurrences.
Accordingly, in the mentioned localities of the Christian political powers belief, teachings and policy, domestic Muslims, Orits (Simiens/Falashas), and Pagan Oromos were labeled as home-enemies contrasting to the outer enemy of the contiguous Ottomans who seized the red sea region, within the 16-19 centuries.
Based on the policy and belief of the Christian forces of the region, between the year 1580 and 1632, the Simien/Falasha Government was officially declared upon, out from its documented recognized territories of about a millenium, since 300 A.D as a Jewish “Aihuud” state. The well organized, cannon led armies of Atse Sartsa Dengel and Atse Susenous finalized the subordination of the Orit religion and enforced the reign of Christianity on the present day parts of Gondar. Those who insisted to hang on their Old Testament were displaced from their land and forced for hard laborship and oppressions. Their religion (Old Testament) was officially revoked by an official decree from the King. Also, the Muslims of Amhara, Agaw and Tigre, who are traditionally called “Jabarti” were alienated from any Governmental positions, were forbidden to have worshipping places or houses.
Summary
What happened to the Falasha is part of what has happened to all of the Ethiopian People by the Ethiopian people for centuries.
With a scientific estimation, in 300-320 A.D, it is documented in the kings Greek and Ge’ez chronicles that two Axumite Kings made a campaign of incursion upon the neighboring ‘Simien’ and ‘Walqa’it’ people and lands, where upon the word “Simien” was for the first time pointed out.
We are unfortunate to tell the history between 320 and 1270 (for about 1000 years) where what happened between those times appear to be blank in terms of what is available to us through historical records.
However, the political fairy-tale that was created after 1270 distorted the ancient indigenous name “Simien” land and people, to “Aihuud” and “Falasha”, and the people have been indicted as alien destroyers of the Axumite Empire and its civilization, by their woman militant leader “Gudit”. On the other hand, the “Kebra Nagast” that was translated from Arabic to Ge’ez in 1350 claims that the neighboring Simien/Falashas, Tigre, Amhara Rulers and Christian Rabbis (in Ge’ez ‘kahn’), are labeled as Jews, who migrated from Jerusalem to Ethiopia, lead by “Emperor Menelik the first, the Son of King Solomon and The Queen of Sheba” in around 1000 B.C; bringing with them the Orit (Moses’s) Laws and Religion.
It is also worth to notice that the nine Greek-Romans ‘saints’ translated the Bible from Greek to Ge’ez for the first time in Axum between 450 and 570 A.D, and also founded the rules of the monastery and monks.
Between the years 1337 and 1450, teachers of the monks and the monasteries, the assemblage called ‘Aeostatians’, started for the first time taught and strongly consolidated the Orit (Old Testament) laws and rules side by side with Christianity religion in the whole region of the highlands of Tigre, Agaw, Amhara and Simien/Falasha neighboring and interrelated societies.
According to available documents, there were three major historical events that occurred in Ethiopia that are worth to mention in this topic.
1. Within the estimated time between 1270 and 1577, it is recorded in the consecutive Kings Chronicles that for about 300 years, successive Solomonic Kings crusaded incessantly in time and places upon Muslims and pagan faith believers of Shoa, Warji, Yifat, Dawaro, Arbabini, Sharka, Bale, Dera, Adal, Mora, Lebekela, Hagera, the Fedise, Gided, Negeb, Zeba, Hubet, Tersa, Iyim, Harla, Ilbro, Zeila, Istee, Argoba, Fitegar, Harar, Silti, Gurage, Hadia, Ausa, Doba, Waj, Somali, Kembata, Gamo, Wolaita, Gafat, Janjero (Yem), Damot, Bosha, Inarya, Bizamo people and their administrations; solemnly destroying the economic, political, defense, religion, cultural and traditional structures of these people.
2. It is also recorded that from 1523-1543 Imam Ahmed Bin Al-Ghazi (The left hand) rose a rebellion in retaliation, that incorporated and mobilized the Muslims and Indigenous religion believers of that Part of Africa, including the Orits Simien/Falashas against the Christian Government, and until the coming of the assisting force of the Portuguese from India, inflicted a severe damage on the Christian Kingdom and its structure.
3. The rebellion war of Imam Ahmed- the left, apart from the damage it brought to the Christian forces, it resulted the Migration and Settlement of the Indigenous Oromo societies in the North Eastern part of Africa and also opened the door to the “Great Peoples’ Movement” in 1520-1620.
Therefore, the weakened Christian Government in Ethiopia in the 16th Century was forced restrain itself on the Northern Highlands and central highlands; thus within the coming 3 centuries, local political forces and movements emerged in Gondar, Tigrai and Shoa. The common long term bond of these local forces and movements was to rebuild what was destroyed in the 16th Century by the above mentioned major occurrences.
Accordingly, in the mentioned localities of the Christian political powers belief, teachings and policy, domestic Muslims, Orits (Simiens/Falashas), and Pagan Oromos were labeled as home-enemies contrasting to the outer enemy of the contiguous Ottomans who seized the red sea region, within the 16-19 centuries.
Based on the policy and belief of the Christian forces of the region, between the year 1580 and 1632, the Simien/Falasha Government was officially declared upon, out from its documented recognized territories of about a millenium, since 300 A.D as a Jewish “Aihuud” state. The well organized, cannon led armies of Atse Sartsa Dengel and Atse Susenous finalized the subordination of the Orit religion and enforced the reign of Christianity on the present day parts of Gondar. Those who insisted to hang on their Old Testament were displaced from their land and forced for hard laborship and oppressions. Their religion (Old Testament) was officially revoked by an official decree from the King. Also, the Muslims of Amhara, Agaw and Tigre, who are traditionally called “Jabarti” were alienated from any Governmental positions, were forbidden to have worshipping places or houses.
Summary
What happened to the Falasha is part of what has happened to all of the Ethiopian People by the Ethiopian people for centuries.
Bete Israels (Falashas) Part 1 , Our tormented story
According to the famous historian Dr. Lapso G Delebo , It has been proven that the 'falasha' people; were an already recognized group in the pre-Christian Axumites (Before 330 AD). Documents written in Greek and Ge'ez languages mention these people and their land by the name "SIMIEN"; a sovereign state existing in the estimated time between 300 until 1632 Gregorian Calendar. These people and state fought for their survival with the neighborhood states; geographically located between Tekeze and Abay Rivers. After having a devastating war with Atse Yis'haq (1414-1429) for independence and other reasons, these people got the label "FALASHA", the word meaning Migrant, New comer or Strangers by their political and land rivals. Eventually, they began to call themselves as "Jews" and "Bete-Esra'els", with the two alternative names.
So many things happened in this vast time of history, but so much of our history is missing because of various factors, and we are unfortunate to identify exactly what happened in our past. One of the missing years in the region's history is the time between 320 and 1332 (i.e. for 1000 years) where ‘nonentity’ is known about the "Falasha" people within these years, in terms of historical facts. According to Dr. Lapso, within this long millennium, two major events happened. In one side, because of the Greeko-Romans preaching of the Bible in Ethiopia, the north pagan neighborhood and inter-related people of Axum-Tigre, Simien-Falasha, Agaw-Amhara caused a history of religious-cultural inter assimilation process. These people adopted the ancient Middle Eastern Jewish history and culture with the Genesis belief because of the influence of their religion (The new Christianity) and incorporated it with their own beliefs. Secondly, the fall of the Axumite Kingdom, which was substituted by the 'Zagwe' dynasity (The then meaning in Ge'ez was 'Ze-Agaw'. The exact historical institution of the statehood, its development process is not identified until present date.
Despite the fact of the native ness of the Simien-Falasha people and state mentioned previously, several local and foreign writers raise the history of the 'Falasha' name and history, basing their theory to strengthen the belief that;
1. According to the Kibre-Nagast legend, Orit (Old Testament) religion used to exist among the Jewish-Falasha before Christianity materialized in Ethiopia.
2. To emphasize the accusation that the “cruel” Falasha Woman leader Yodit (Gudit) burnt and destroyed Axum; and
3. To answer the other questions how? When? And who founded the Zagwe dynansity after Gudit destroyed the Axumites.
However, since the 1950s, serious archaeological studies are being carried out disclosing each time more and more of the fact that THERE WAS NO ANY MONOTHEISTIC (ORIT/JUDAISM) RELIGION AND TEACHING IN THE DA'AMAT-AXUM STATE AND PLACE BEFORE THE COMING OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE 330S BY GREEKO-ROMANS TO THE REGION.
Secondly, Both Christianity and Orit Religions arrived in Ethiopia after 330, written in Greek-Ge'ez, solely through the Bible media.
The third and most important thing to realize is that the ancient indigenous people who lived in the North-Highland area, called SIMIEN/FALASHA, accepted the Orit Belief in GE'EZ LANGUAGE media between 550-1270 years from the new book called "Kebra-Nagast" and the then teachers and Monasteries of the Orthodox Monotheistic church called "Aeostatians". This is easily understandable by any logical thinker who studied the available sources of data of that time.
Fourth: One reason why the Falashas were rescued from a total extermination and spared their survival with their Orit religion was the war between Atse Susneous/ Jesuits and the revolts of the Damot, Agaw, Tigre, and Amhara peasants (1616-1632) struggle and victory. This in another way shows that there was not war due to ethnic, and religious differences and could be regarded as strong evidence about the strength of bond between the different ethnic groups of the regions.
Fifth: After Atse Susneous defeated the rebellion of the Simien/ Falasha people revolt and made them tributary and slaves, between 1616-1632, the strategic geographical area of their land found between the Tekeze and Abay Gorges became the economic and political center for the new Gondarian empire. Therefore, the ancient Simien/Falasha social group is the basis and source for the current Amhara people historical and political development.
Sixth: When Atse Susneous gave Simien/Falasha people the choice between death and being babtized to be Christians in 1616, "Many Falashas eventually were converted and became Christians", according to the then palace spokesperson Tekle Sellasies's* records. Within this Solomonian governing dynasty, many Simien/Falasha people changed their names and religion and became Christians and Gondarians. Others became mixed up with their associated people of Agaw, Tigre, and Amharas in language as well as culture.
Seventh: those who persisted on retaining their religion after the declaration of 1616 were displaced from their lands and were moved to specified areas and villages. These people who call themselves "Bet Israels"; displaced Simien/Falashas survived to our time being engaged in Some agriculture, pottery, woodcraft, blacksmithing, hide works, weaving, for around four centuries. Because of their long, but deliberate isolation, others alienated them; different names given to them as Te'ib, Buda (one with the evil eyes), magicians, and other cursing and undermining labels. To our time, these people became one special religious and crafts-people caste.
Lastly, in the 1980s, Ethiopian "Bet Israels" migrated to Israel/Palestine after long years of strong religious and political oppressions by their own brothers.
Conclusion
What we can only understand from the above short summery about the history of the Simien/Falasha is an example and expression of the prolonged oppression the Ethiopian people passed through by the Monarchy rulers of this Country. By this reality, the recent migration and residency of the 60,000 plus Ethiopian Falashas in Israel is not the end of the story since throughout history inter migrations and mixing of these people with the rest of other Ethiopians in this vast period of time, had already bonded them with the nation by blood and bone.
Queen Mintwab, Dejach Wube, Atse Tewodros and Qween Taitu etc; Ethiopia's great leaders and personalities somehow are the products of this ancient and indigenous family and people.
References:
1. Dr Lapso Ge.Delebo, "Historical foundations and evidences on Ethiopia.
2. Hess, "Falasha History"
3. Tekle Sellasie; " The story of Susnious"
End of Part One
So many things happened in this vast time of history, but so much of our history is missing because of various factors, and we are unfortunate to identify exactly what happened in our past. One of the missing years in the region's history is the time between 320 and 1332 (i.e. for 1000 years) where ‘nonentity’ is known about the "Falasha" people within these years, in terms of historical facts. According to Dr. Lapso, within this long millennium, two major events happened. In one side, because of the Greeko-Romans preaching of the Bible in Ethiopia, the north pagan neighborhood and inter-related people of Axum-Tigre, Simien-Falasha, Agaw-Amhara caused a history of religious-cultural inter assimilation process. These people adopted the ancient Middle Eastern Jewish history and culture with the Genesis belief because of the influence of their religion (The new Christianity) and incorporated it with their own beliefs. Secondly, the fall of the Axumite Kingdom, which was substituted by the 'Zagwe' dynasity (The then meaning in Ge'ez was 'Ze-Agaw'. The exact historical institution of the statehood, its development process is not identified until present date.
Despite the fact of the native ness of the Simien-Falasha people and state mentioned previously, several local and foreign writers raise the history of the 'Falasha' name and history, basing their theory to strengthen the belief that;
1. According to the Kibre-Nagast legend, Orit (Old Testament) religion used to exist among the Jewish-Falasha before Christianity materialized in Ethiopia.
2. To emphasize the accusation that the “cruel” Falasha Woman leader Yodit (Gudit) burnt and destroyed Axum; and
3. To answer the other questions how? When? And who founded the Zagwe dynansity after Gudit destroyed the Axumites.
However, since the 1950s, serious archaeological studies are being carried out disclosing each time more and more of the fact that THERE WAS NO ANY MONOTHEISTIC (ORIT/JUDAISM) RELIGION AND TEACHING IN THE DA'AMAT-AXUM STATE AND PLACE BEFORE THE COMING OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE 330S BY GREEKO-ROMANS TO THE REGION.
Secondly, Both Christianity and Orit Religions arrived in Ethiopia after 330, written in Greek-Ge'ez, solely through the Bible media.
The third and most important thing to realize is that the ancient indigenous people who lived in the North-Highland area, called SIMIEN/FALASHA, accepted the Orit Belief in GE'EZ LANGUAGE media between 550-1270 years from the new book called "Kebra-Nagast" and the then teachers and Monasteries of the Orthodox Monotheistic church called "Aeostatians". This is easily understandable by any logical thinker who studied the available sources of data of that time.
Fourth: One reason why the Falashas were rescued from a total extermination and spared their survival with their Orit religion was the war between Atse Susneous/ Jesuits and the revolts of the Damot, Agaw, Tigre, and Amhara peasants (1616-1632) struggle and victory. This in another way shows that there was not war due to ethnic, and religious differences and could be regarded as strong evidence about the strength of bond between the different ethnic groups of the regions.
Fifth: After Atse Susneous defeated the rebellion of the Simien/ Falasha people revolt and made them tributary and slaves, between 1616-1632, the strategic geographical area of their land found between the Tekeze and Abay Gorges became the economic and political center for the new Gondarian empire. Therefore, the ancient Simien/Falasha social group is the basis and source for the current Amhara people historical and political development.
Sixth: When Atse Susneous gave Simien/Falasha people the choice between death and being babtized to be Christians in 1616, "Many Falashas eventually were converted and became Christians", according to the then palace spokesperson Tekle Sellasies's* records. Within this Solomonian governing dynasty, many Simien/Falasha people changed their names and religion and became Christians and Gondarians. Others became mixed up with their associated people of Agaw, Tigre, and Amharas in language as well as culture.
Seventh: those who persisted on retaining their religion after the declaration of 1616 were displaced from their lands and were moved to specified areas and villages. These people who call themselves "Bet Israels"; displaced Simien/Falashas survived to our time being engaged in Some agriculture, pottery, woodcraft, blacksmithing, hide works, weaving, for around four centuries. Because of their long, but deliberate isolation, others alienated them; different names given to them as Te'ib, Buda (one with the evil eyes), magicians, and other cursing and undermining labels. To our time, these people became one special religious and crafts-people caste.
Lastly, in the 1980s, Ethiopian "Bet Israels" migrated to Israel/Palestine after long years of strong religious and political oppressions by their own brothers.
Conclusion
What we can only understand from the above short summery about the history of the Simien/Falasha is an example and expression of the prolonged oppression the Ethiopian people passed through by the Monarchy rulers of this Country. By this reality, the recent migration and residency of the 60,000 plus Ethiopian Falashas in Israel is not the end of the story since throughout history inter migrations and mixing of these people with the rest of other Ethiopians in this vast period of time, had already bonded them with the nation by blood and bone.
Queen Mintwab, Dejach Wube, Atse Tewodros and Qween Taitu etc; Ethiopia's great leaders and personalities somehow are the products of this ancient and indigenous family and people.
References:
1. Dr Lapso Ge.Delebo, "Historical foundations and evidences on Ethiopia.
2. Hess, "Falasha History"
3. Tekle Sellasie; " The story of Susnious"
End of Part One
Thursday, September 9, 2010
http://gadaa.com/oduu/?p=5538
http://gadaa.com/oduu/?p=5538
To be added to it:
There was no such nation called Oromia, Amara, Tigray etc… in the perception that we are portraying it these days as designed for us by anti Ethiopia forces, and their deluded followers. There were instead regional landlords, kings, sultans and “Balabats”, and several chiefdoms throughout the Ethiopian Land. There was no border or any restriction among the people to travel between regions, nor to fight for or against any side suiting their interest. The process of the social integration didn’t start by the political domination of these chiefdoms by a single power among them but since way back the ancient Ethiopian people have gone through thousands of years of amalgamation and integration process through war, migration, gudifecha, annexation, marriage, settlements etc…The complexity of this sociology is deeper than any single subject matter or person to define and depict its entirety. The names that we exercise today also have gone through multiple changes in the vast history of the region just as the respective chiefdom territories; depending on their wealth and military status. The political process also didn’t start by Menelik as OLF sympathizers put it but went through a gradual evolution ;the whole socio-political system that brought the system to such stages of political formations from small under-tree elders to the present day federal state of Ethiopia. Every corner had its participation in this complicated journey. Simple minded politicians try to skeleton it to a one-man show, i.e. Menelik’s colonization of Oromia.
Ethiopia disintegrators continue to hang on their motto “a nation called Abyssina annexed a nation called Oromia”. Why do we not agree to this aphorism? It’s because something is disturbingly wrong and evil about it. Something doesn’t fit to what we feel as a people. Eritreans got themselves into self contradiction by denying themselves being Ethiopians, because deep inside them they know they are Ethiopians, not given or imposed on them by any Amhara or Tigray but because of an innate originality. This is not politics but a fact of nature and biology. An ignorant mercenary by the pen name Gumma Gudda wrote recently that there is a distinct ethnic difference between the Oromos and Amharas. Such bold and shameless caricatures are emerging onto the internet political platforms that base their analyses not from academic researches but from garbage of hatred mongering corners and international espionage business. Calling brothers and sisters as foreign and alien to each other? They focus on attacking ‘Ethiopia’ by defaming its history, pulling out our weak points and exaggerating our wrongs, a mockery on our history? When false is repeated several times it get used to by listeners. That is what such writers intend to do. Bombarding false messages until the audience is dizzied and desensitized. A fabric story can not hold on its own balance unless it’s repeatedly hammered to the ground.
An uneducated society is vulnerable to such kinds of blasphemes just as is a porous ground sponging a liquid of different viscosities.
What can we do to protect our society from such attacks on this front?
wuhib
To be added to it:
There was no such nation called Oromia, Amara, Tigray etc… in the perception that we are portraying it these days as designed for us by anti Ethiopia forces, and their deluded followers. There were instead regional landlords, kings, sultans and “Balabats”, and several chiefdoms throughout the Ethiopian Land. There was no border or any restriction among the people to travel between regions, nor to fight for or against any side suiting their interest. The process of the social integration didn’t start by the political domination of these chiefdoms by a single power among them but since way back the ancient Ethiopian people have gone through thousands of years of amalgamation and integration process through war, migration, gudifecha, annexation, marriage, settlements etc…The complexity of this sociology is deeper than any single subject matter or person to define and depict its entirety. The names that we exercise today also have gone through multiple changes in the vast history of the region just as the respective chiefdom territories; depending on their wealth and military status. The political process also didn’t start by Menelik as OLF sympathizers put it but went through a gradual evolution ;the whole socio-political system that brought the system to such stages of political formations from small under-tree elders to the present day federal state of Ethiopia. Every corner had its participation in this complicated journey. Simple minded politicians try to skeleton it to a one-man show, i.e. Menelik’s colonization of Oromia.
Ethiopia disintegrators continue to hang on their motto “a nation called Abyssina annexed a nation called Oromia”. Why do we not agree to this aphorism? It’s because something is disturbingly wrong and evil about it. Something doesn’t fit to what we feel as a people. Eritreans got themselves into self contradiction by denying themselves being Ethiopians, because deep inside them they know they are Ethiopians, not given or imposed on them by any Amhara or Tigray but because of an innate originality. This is not politics but a fact of nature and biology. An ignorant mercenary by the pen name Gumma Gudda wrote recently that there is a distinct ethnic difference between the Oromos and Amharas. Such bold and shameless caricatures are emerging onto the internet political platforms that base their analyses not from academic researches but from garbage of hatred mongering corners and international espionage business. Calling brothers and sisters as foreign and alien to each other? They focus on attacking ‘Ethiopia’ by defaming its history, pulling out our weak points and exaggerating our wrongs, a mockery on our history? When false is repeated several times it get used to by listeners. That is what such writers intend to do. Bombarding false messages until the audience is dizzied and desensitized. A fabric story can not hold on its own balance unless it’s repeatedly hammered to the ground.
An uneducated society is vulnerable to such kinds of blasphemes just as is a porous ground sponging a liquid of different viscosities.
What can we do to protect our society from such attacks on this front?
wuhib
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Falashas are ancient Ethiopians!
International Institute of Anthropology, Paris, France.DNA samples from Falasha Jews and Ethiopians were studied with the Y-chromosome-specific DNAprobe p49a to screen for TaqI restriction polymorphisms and haplotypes. Two haplotypes (V and XI) arethe most widespread in Falashas and Ethiopians, representing about 70% of the total number ofhaplotypes in Ethiopia. Because the Jewish haplotypes VII and VIII are not represented in the Falashapopulation, we conclude that the Falasha people descended from ancient inhabitants of Ethiopia whoconverted to Judaism.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Claims of Ethiopian aid used for guns
Millions of dollars destined to help Ethiopia's starving in the 1980s could have ended up prolonging their suffering.
Allegations have emerged that money, including donations to Bob Geldof's Live Aid concerts, was used to arm rebel gangs.
In July 1985 Ethiopia was the recipient of a huge international response to their famine plight.
This was primarily done through Live Aid, a series of concerts around the world linked via satellite, and Band Aid, a super-band that sung Do They Know It's Christmas?
Hundreds of millions of dollars was raised for Ethiopia's starving through the events.
Now it is alleged the starving got just a fraction of that money - as little as 5% in some areas. The rest was used to buy weapons for a civil war.
The allegations include former rebel leaders saying they had posed as merchants in meetings with charity workers to get aid money during the 1984-85 famine.
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"We were using aid money you know to buy arms you know," a former Ethiopian General says.
They say they used the cash to fund attempts to overthrow the government of the time.
It is also claimed money was used to finance the political rise of Meles Zanawi. He is still Prime Minister, and refuses to speak about the new claims.
Aid organisations insist they monitored where the money went and question the motives of a disgruntled ex-commander in speaking out now.
"The essence of the report also is not just about Live Aid it's that all moneys going into Tigray, that will be Oxfam, Save The Children ... We were all duped and that is simply not the case,' says Bob Geldof.
Ethiopian officials also insist the money went to those in need. Abadi Zemo, a senior member of Ethiopia's ruling coalition, has described the allegations as nonsensical.
But the full story of corruption and compromise in Ethiopia may still not have been told a quarter of a century on.
Allegations have emerged that money, including donations to Bob Geldof's Live Aid concerts, was used to arm rebel gangs.
In July 1985 Ethiopia was the recipient of a huge international response to their famine plight.
This was primarily done through Live Aid, a series of concerts around the world linked via satellite, and Band Aid, a super-band that sung Do They Know It's Christmas?
Hundreds of millions of dollars was raised for Ethiopia's starving through the events.
Now it is alleged the starving got just a fraction of that money - as little as 5% in some areas. The rest was used to buy weapons for a civil war.
The allegations include former rebel leaders saying they had posed as merchants in meetings with charity workers to get aid money during the 1984-85 famine.
Advertisement
"We were using aid money you know to buy arms you know," a former Ethiopian General says.
They say they used the cash to fund attempts to overthrow the government of the time.
It is also claimed money was used to finance the political rise of Meles Zanawi. He is still Prime Minister, and refuses to speak about the new claims.
Aid organisations insist they monitored where the money went and question the motives of a disgruntled ex-commander in speaking out now.
"The essence of the report also is not just about Live Aid it's that all moneys going into Tigray, that will be Oxfam, Save The Children ... We were all duped and that is simply not the case,' says Bob Geldof.
Ethiopian officials also insist the money went to those in need. Abadi Zemo, a senior member of Ethiopia's ruling coalition, has described the allegations as nonsensical.
But the full story of corruption and compromise in Ethiopia may still not have been told a quarter of a century on.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Ethio-Sudan relations said unique in Africa
Addis Ababa, February 25 (WIC) - Ethiopian Ambassador to the Sudan, Ali Abdo Suleiman, appreciated Ethio-Sudan relations, saying “my government has a firm stance and strategic relations between the two countries,” according to Sudan Vision Daily.
He added that relations between Ethiopia and Sudan are considered as unique in Africa, explaining that the relations between Sudan and Ethiopia under the wisdom of the two presidents is improving all the time. This came while he was talking to reporters yesterday about the inauguration of the Ethiopian new embassy building on 4th of next March. In the same context, the Ambassador indicated to the economic ties between the two countries. Ali described that Ethiopia depends hundred percent on Sudanese oil supply besides investment activities between the businessmen of the two countries in different aspects. He revealed that more than 800 tourists visited Ethiopia within the last six months as an indication to popular relations. He said the relationship is not only between the government level, but it extended to the states around the border, in addition to this the Ambassador cited that the relations between the two nations is connected through roads, airports, telecommunications and strong relations between border states. He explained that there are regular meetings between Sudan and Ethiopia every six months to evaluate development projects between the two countries.
It is worth noting that Ethiopian new Embassy building will be officially opened on March 4th, accompanied by exhibition to Ethiopian products and commodities.
He added that relations between Ethiopia and Sudan are considered as unique in Africa, explaining that the relations between Sudan and Ethiopia under the wisdom of the two presidents is improving all the time. This came while he was talking to reporters yesterday about the inauguration of the Ethiopian new embassy building on 4th of next March. In the same context, the Ambassador indicated to the economic ties between the two countries. Ali described that Ethiopia depends hundred percent on Sudanese oil supply besides investment activities between the businessmen of the two countries in different aspects. He revealed that more than 800 tourists visited Ethiopia within the last six months as an indication to popular relations. He said the relationship is not only between the government level, but it extended to the states around the border, in addition to this the Ambassador cited that the relations between the two nations is connected through roads, airports, telecommunications and strong relations between border states. He explained that there are regular meetings between Sudan and Ethiopia every six months to evaluate development projects between the two countries.
It is worth noting that Ethiopian new Embassy building will be officially opened on March 4th, accompanied by exhibition to Ethiopian products and commodities.
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