Dancing for a bottle

By Tedla Desta for Capital

Take a trip to south-western Ethiopia by car and prepare yourself to bear the arid heat and long drive in order to reach this green and awe-inspiring region.
This part of Ethiopia shows off some of the major towns such as Wolayeta, Arba Minch ,Konso and Jinka. The Arbaminch- Jinka road since recently is featuring the very captivating break dancing of youngsters as whenever the youngsters notice a car pacing by, they perform a special dance, shouting “Highland” in pleading tones.
It would definitely force you to question why these youngsters do two unrelated things. In this rugged land which is predominantly composed of many hills music is much loved. The people make use of a wide range of instruments for spiritual and ritual purposes and amusement.
Young children play bullhorns while a lot of women and men of the region are skilled players of musical instruments. However, the “Highland” dance is totally different from these spiritual and traditional dances.
The place has the most famous national parks like Netch Sar and Omo National. Plus, the Konso, acknowledged for their age old terracing and hard work, are also to be seen in the region of “Highland” dances.
According to a resident of the area, Abebe Wondemagenhu, the dance has a very recent history. Some years ago tourists came to visit and had bottled water and after drinking the water they gave the plastic bottles to the people and this trend finally grew and brought the modest form of begging for the plastic containers.
They say “Highland” because most bottled water is known by that brand name.
But why do they so desperately need these plastic bottles?
“It is for the purpose of ‘Cheka’, a local drink made of maize and mashela.
Cheka is our traditional drink; a farmer can’t go to the farm without a bottle of it and also the herders as well. It is our identity: we don’t spend a day without having a bottle of our Cheka” he adds.
The herders are eager for these plastic bottles as they are preferable to the formal wooden containers because of their durability, ease to carry and for other purposes. The dances they perform to beg for the bottles is interesting and resembles the African Zuk style of dance in many aspects and in some, American rap dance.
It is advisable you go to this area if only for the sake of the fascinating dance let alone the parks and heritage areas.
The place contains unique cultures and is also home to old walled and fortified villages.
As you start your road trip, don’t forget to buy yourself a few bottles of water.