“A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.”
― Tony Blair
I had a great dialogue with a friend of mine about this
obsession of the meaning of being an Ethiopian, which seems to sprawl its roots
in me. We consciously attempted to flip every historical footprint that is ever
declared on behalf of our birthplace.
We gazed at the chronicles; from the tribe of Kush to Queen
Sheba, from the Axumites to the era of the Kings, from the fables to the
controversial declaration of what being an Ethiopian mean for a native of the
land.
Our upbringing was filled with the mystical and heroic stories of
Ethiopia and Ethiopians that the feeling of greatness hovers above our head
like a piece of blessed cloud. It is
almost impossible to assert one’s Ethiopian identity outside this prideful
curtain that is most deeply rooted in the historic “past”.
But then reality hits; why in the world, how in the world, these
glamorous and prideful existence led many, Ethiopians, go astray like flock of
sheep without a shepherd. Tony Blair
once quoted “A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many
want in.. And how many want out.” As we Ethiopians
jokingly say, almost every person would like to leave the land – if given a
chance. Our self dismantling way of life
is not a sign of a great nation and its people!
So, I wonder, and then what does being an Ethiopian really
mean? If the historical account is put
aside, if the arrogant curtain of “...I’m better than you, we are better than
everybody, we are greater than everybody ...” bluff rolled up, what is the real
meaning of being an Ethiopia to each native?
I’m still digging!
Pazion - 2011
