Abbay (Nile): Ethiopian Proverb

“Abby maderia yelew gind yezo yezoral” – Abbay doesn’t have a place to stay but it carries “wood” around”

Some Ethiopians may not know the name the current Prime Minister. But the name Abbay (Blue Nile) is the center of the Ethiopian proverb. Ethiopians adore Abbay as much as they adore Adwa victory. So as the world associate Nile to Egypt so far, in deed, Egypt is a gift of Nile, as much of Nile is a gift Ethiopia.

I would love to write in depth article about Ethiopian love to Nile. But in this blog, i attach some pictures from my last visit to the Nile falls (Abbay Fafuate). Hope you will enjoy them. 

Social Media & Ethiopia: A Complicated Relationship Status

A little bit of public speaking – November 2012 – Bonn, Germany

Colonization in the Eyes of Independent Ethiopia

The African Union building, Addis Ababa

The Economist posted an article about an ideological competition between two diametrically opposed economic models – Ethiopian & Kenyan. I am not writing this blog to comment on this article. Though, I get inspiration to touch one of the most sensitive issues of massive contradiction of being colonialized and independent. This is one card most Ethiopians should be very careful to play with our African friends.

Ethiopia celebrates Adwa. We have millions of reasons to do so. This war was the beginning of the end of colonization. The price of war is high. We cannot ever understand what price our forefathers and foremothers paid to keep us free.

Disconnected Ethiopian Netizens

Ethiopians spend a great deal of time enjoying their coffee. No wonder there are so many cafés in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. Cafés are more than just a place to hang out though; for many, they represent a dynamic public sphere in which to discuss the hottest issues facing the country. Meaningful conversations taking place in every corner of the cafés show how well-informed citizens are and how they enjoy exchanging their opinions about many things around them. But where do people get their information in the first place?

When the Ethiopian Social Media Lack the Humor

It is funny how people take things seriously. Seriously!??!

It starts with the death of PM Meles Zenawi. You know the funny thing about his death is that he died with Justifribilasis Fatilosis – Scientists discovered a new diseases in Belgium. I didn’t mean to say Scientists, but I guess many people might accept it when scientists say something.

London 2012: Ethiopian Olympic Team

London is calling – both Ethiopian and Kenyan Athletes. It is not randmely that i started to compare these two countries. The competition between Ethiopia and Kenya is highly anticipated when it comes to long distance. Ethiopia used to dominate the long distance running, but this seems not to happen anymore. Recently, Kenyan athletes dominate the long distance which was entirely untouchable from the Ethiopians few years back. In the mean time, Ethiopia is bringing new athletes for middle distance running that Kenyans are well known for. Is #london2012 for Ethiopians or Kenyans?

Domestic Workers are Suffering in Middle East, and in Ethiopia

Photo credit: When we stand together, facebook group

Media coverages on abuse of domestic workers elevate after the unfortunate news heard about Alem Dechasa who was publicly harassed by a lebanon guy. Recently, the guardian posts an interesting article about Alem’s family after her tragic death.

The lebanon’s daily star newsletter strongly criticizing the Lebanon government and its labour policy. In the latest article, Lebanon’s ways are sponsoring suicide, states

5 Reasons Why You Need to Buy Teddy Afro’s New Album

Photo credit: DireTube/Fortune newsletter

Addis Fortune newspaper reports that Teddy Afro’s album realises on the eve of Ethiopian Easter. A million copies sold from his last album. It is everyone’s question if he hits the music industry one more time. There are interesting articles coming up about Teddy Afro – one is from the new magazine 360_One_world mag with Beate Wedekind. In my blog post I mention five reasons why you need to consider buying his new album titled – ‘Tikur Sew’

A Trip to a Mysterious Egg Bridge

The sign made by the lodge next to the bridge. Obviously, they want to attract turists mentioning that the bridge is built in 16th century

Ethiopia as a country is full of mysteries. The old nation holds so many unanswered questions. The finding of the True Cross, the Tomb of St. Mary, the origin of human kind, the new ocean birth and Such.

Recently, I visited a place known as “A Portuguese Bridge” or “The Egg Bridge”. 110 kms from Addis Ababa to the direction of Debre Liabones, you will find the hidden bridge.

A lot of scholars try to investigate when it was built and by whom and what kind of materials it was used. One of the comprehensive studies made by J.J. Hespeler-Boultbee who is an Art & Architectural Historian and Associate of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa University.

Citizen Media and You – Part I

picture credit: http://www.mosaicglobe.com

When the first time Internet was introduced to Ethiopia it was not actually planned for Ethiopians. The main goal was to reach the tourists and encourage Ethiopian tourism. Currently, less than 1% of the populations have access to the Internet, one of the least in the world.

As it was originally intended, Internet remained around foreigners, and foreign organizations. In early millinuem diaspora Ethiopians and college students start to use Yahoo! Mail services and pen pal sites (probably one of the first social media platforms in the world) as day to day Internet use. With 56kps modem connection, only the international organizations and universities were enjoying the relatively faster connection. Yahoo! Still remains the main email service in Ethiopia until now even the Ministers use it as an official email correspondence.