Ethiopian’s to Celebrate the life of Tsegaye G/Medhin

*Ethiopians in Israel, Dr. Berhanu talks about Lidetu in his New Book (Amharic), Death toll set to top 1000, OLF urges Kenya not to get involved and other top stories of the day- below*

In January, 1999 issue of the Amharic paper, Kebrit, Tsegaye was asked why most of his plays were tragedies, he replied;

"Manifold wars and violence have been visited upon the common people relentlessly to snuff out freedom from the Ethiopian soul—the one distinguishing characteristic that makes the Ethiopian what he is and that enables him to walk with his chin up no matter what his material condition may be.

So, the Ethiopian continues to sustain war and suffering in order to preserve his freedom. Ruling elites have been exploiting his willingness to sacrifice all for freedom. Feudal lords set the people to fight one another internally even as they fight against external enemies. Because of his extraordinary love of freedom, the Ethiopian bears any burden and goes to any length without food, without shoes or enough clothes and supplies to fight and die for his freedom. This is what has won the Ethiopian respect among fellow Africans and many others. Even as we speak it is this uncompromising love of freedom that makes him vulnerable to vultures within; he has yet to relax. It seems that succeeding regimes devise new ways divide, exploit and consume him/her for their own selfish ends and to build their power on his shoulders. I like to go out and communicate with the common folks of Ethiopia—the peasant, the patriot, the soldier, the traitor, the the housewife, the priest, the sheikh etc...It is from them that I learn about my country and people. And generally their comments are accompanied by near tears; their stories are mostly melancholy; their memories are bitter and tragic.. It is that which I reflect in my writings." (Excerpts from Professor Negussay Ayele's article, A Short Walk Through His Literary Park)

On August 26, 2006 Ethiopian’s from all walks of life are invited to celebrate the life of this remarkable POET LAUREATE at the Howard University campus. For more information Visit the official site for the festivity.

Ethiopians In Israel

(by Donald N Levine)

For all the talk about ethnic self-determination in Ethiopia, almost no attention has been paid to the one and only ethnic group that actually seceded from Ethiopia–the Beta Israel, formerly called Falasha, whose entire population left the country. The story of their secession is full of drama, intrigue, suffering, and jubilation–and, like so much else about Ethiopia, fraught with misunderstandings.(More...)

An Excerpt from Dr. Berhanu’s New Book regarding Mr. Lidetu

(Ethioblogger)

(More...)

Today's Top Stories

- Death toll 'set to top 1000' as floods cripple Ethiopia
- OLF urges Kenya not to get involved
- Sharon 'stable' after new lung infection
- 3,400 bodies make July 'deadliest month' in Iraq
- Solar System Could Gain New Planets Under Definition Change
- 'Cannibals' confess in Mozambique
- It's now or never: find Elvis for $3 million

Ethiopian’s to Celebrate the life of Tsegaye G/Medhin

*Ethiopians in Israel, Dr. Berhanu talks about Lidetu in his New Book (Amharic), Death toll set to top 1000, OLF urges Kenya not to get involved and other top stories of the day- below*

In January, 1999 issue of the Amharic paper, Kebrit, Tsegaye was asked why most of his plays were tragedies, he replied;

"Manifold wars and violence have been visited upon the common people relentlessly to snuff out freedom from the Ethiopian soul—the one distinguishing characteristic that makes the Ethiopian what he is and that enables him to walk with his chin up no matter what his material condition may be.

So, the Ethiopian continues to sustain war and suffering in order to preserve his freedom. Ruling elites have been exploiting his willingness to sacrifice all for freedom. Feudal lords set the people to fight one another internally even as they fight against external enemies. Because of his extraordinary love of freedom, the Ethiopian bears any burden and goes to any length without food, without shoes or enough clothes and supplies to fight and die for his freedom. This is what has won the Ethiopian respect among fellow Africans and many others. Even as we speak it is this uncompromising love of freedom that makes him vulnerable to vultures within; he has yet to relax. It seems that succeeding regimes devise new ways divide, exploit and consume him/her for their own selfish ends and to build their power on his shoulders. I like to go out and communicate with the common folks of Ethiopia—the peasant, the patriot, the soldier, the traitor, the the housewife, the priest, the sheikh etc...It is from them that I learn about my country and people. And generally their comments are accompanied by near tears; their stories are mostly melancholy; their memories are bitter and tragic.. It is that which I reflect in my writings." (Excerpts from Professor Negussay Ayele's article, A Short Walk Through His Literary Park)

On August 26, 2006 Ethiopian’s from all walks of life are invited to celebrate the life of this remarkable POET LAUREATE at the Howard University campus. For more information Visit the official site for the festivity.

Ethiopians In Israel

(by Donald N Levine)

For all the talk about ethnic self-determination in Ethiopia, almost no attention has been paid to the one and only ethnic group that actually seceded from Ethiopia–the Beta Israel, formerly called Falasha, whose entire population left the country. The story of their secession is full of drama, intrigue, suffering, and jubilation–and, like so much else about Ethiopia, fraught with misunderstandings.(More...)

An Excerpt from Dr. Berhanu’s New Book regarding Mr. Lidetu

(Ethioblogger)

(More...)

Today's Top Stories

- Death toll 'set to top 1000' as floods cripple Ethiopia
- OLF urges Kenya not to get involved
- Sharon 'stable' after new lung infection
- 3,400 bodies make July 'deadliest month' in Iraq
- Solar System Could Gain New Planets Under Definition Change
- 'Cannibals' confess in Mozambique
- It's now or never: find Elvis for $3 million

A Change Is In The Air

*More defections in the Ethiopian Army, Kinijit’s Message to the armed forces, cholera outbreak in Ethiopia and other top stories of the day.*

(By Hirut Abay, Ethiopian Politics Contributor)

The recent defection of Brig. General Kemal, the unrest in most parts of the country including Tigray and the high price of living all have a hand in dragging Ethiopia down the path of chaos and major unrest.This will not be in the best interest of Ethiopia, America or any other country that has a vested interest in that region. In order for Ethiopia to be a strong stabilizing force in East Africa, the turbulence within must cease. The first thing that needs to happen inorder to achieve this is to free all political prisoners unconditionally. It looks like the U.S state department is slowly warming up to this reality.

EZ is reporting that charge d'affaire Mrs. Huddlestone is initiating talks between the government and opposition leaders in hops of averting the approaching crises. Vicki, EZ reported, is back in the US today and will start a full-fledged effort for negotiation upon her return to Addis. (More...)

More Ethiopian soldiers arrive in Eritrea

In continuation of the escalating uprising within the Ethiopian Army, tens of Ethiopian soldiers including captains and middle rank commanders recently arrived in Eritrea.The Ethiopian soldiers led by Captains Bededa Regassa and Negesso Watyo said that the uprising is spreading to different corners of the country.(More...)

Kinijit’s Message to the armed forces
(More...)

Today's Top Stories

- Islamist Forces Continue Making Gains in Somalia
- Ethiopia fears cholera outbreak
- Ethiopia may be the birthplace of hurricanes
- More Britons call for use of profiling
- NASA Searches for Missing Tapes of 1969 Moon Landing