Africa Unite

African traditions, value systems and cultural identity have endured even amid the concrete jungle of Western civilization. The original diaspora, composed mainly of enslaved 'Negroes' made sure to pass on the heritages to their offspring. 'Celebrating Africa' profiles the people and events that commemorate Africa, here on the continent and also in the broader diaspora.

Celebrating Africa
First Fruits

Between the early decades of the 15th century and almost up to the end of the 19th century, it is estimated that some 15 million people of African descent were abducted in to slavery, or otherwise forced to leave the continent. Natural migration to other parts of the globe accounted for less than a tenth of the total.
This diaspora core found its way mainly to the U.S.A, Caribbean states, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and territories on the northern rim of South America. Since the abolishment of institutional slavery, the diaspora grew to be a large and distinct African-American minority.
To the original or "first generation" of enslaved Africans, keeping alive even small fragments of their various African cultures was critical to the maintenance of sociological distinctness. Music and stories from the old continent kept up spirits and they were diligent in passing on these cultural identification mark to their offspring. Among the several aspects of African culture that have today evolved in to a package of regular events is a festival known as Kwanzaa, Kiswahili for 'first fruits of the harvest'.
A little explanation is necessary about the two forms of the word.
Up to 1966, it was always spelled 'Kwanza' - note the single 'a' at the end. This is known as the 'motherland' spelling and specifically refers to the Kiswahili definition. Forty two years ago, an African American doctor, with the 'back to the roots' name of Maulana Karenga, established an African values based annual festival, and in order not to confuse the original context (first fruits of the harvest), decided to spell the festival with an extra 'a'- Kwanzaa.
Today, Kwanzaa has grown to become one of the largest and most important Afro- American festivals with tens of millions celebrating across the length and breadth of the United States and also worldwide.
Kwanzaa focuses on upholding and preserving core African values such as: family, communal and societal accountability, responsibility to coming generations, fair trade for common prosperity, sharing and self improvement motivation; all within the spirit of bettering the general condition of African- Americans.
Kwanzaa is celebrated yearly from December 26 to the first of January with various colorful ceremonies. Kwanzaa is based on the Nguzo Saba - Kiswahili for 'Seven Guiding Principles.' A different Nguzo is stressed on each of the seven days of the festival.

" Umoja - Unity
" Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility
" Kujichagulia - Self Determination
" Nia - Purpose
" Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics
" Kuumba - Creativity
" Imani - Faith
One of the most solemn and deeply moving Kwanzaa rituals is the 'Tamshi la Tambiko' - the Libation statement. Water is the libation amid symbols representing each of the Seven Guiding Principles (Nguzo Saba) as an act of ancestors remembrance. The libation is poured to the four points of the compass, with some sipped by celebrants, who then chant the libation statement:
For the motherland cradle of civilization
For the ancestors and their indomitable spirit
For the elders from whom we can learn much
For our youth who represent the promise of tomorrow
For our people the original people
For our struggle and in remembrance of those who have struggled on our behalf
For Umoja the principle of unity which should guide us in all that we do
For the creator who provides all things great and small

(Next week - FESPACO)

‘Wubeten Felega’

Before Ethiopia’s nascent film industry started pulling in audiences, stage plays enjoyed a huge number of fans, and they still do. Among the more successful plays, Getenet Eniyew’s ‘Wubeten Felega’ makes most shortlists. Years have passed since the play was last seen but now, newcomer AriLew Films and Entertainment [affliate of AriLew Trading] has brilliantly adapted it into a movie, which premiered early this week at the National Theatre.

· Script writer: Getenet Eniyew
· Director: Tewoderos Tesfaye
· Genre: Drama
· Length: 110 min.

By Kirubel Tadesse

Yegerem seems to have everything a man demands of a wife. Aresema is beautiful, caring and respectful of his profession even if it has proven to be inadequate to liberalize their life from her father’s support which comes at a cost. One small thing the couple lacks is that Aresema doesn’t like poems. this should not mean much if it were not for the fact that Yegerem is a poet-for whom his wife’s one night’s attention to listen to his poems would mean the world.
One unfortunate night, Aresema [played brilliantly by Mulualem Tadesse] went to Debre Sina; the same night, her husband finally found an audience for his writing-his wife’s best friend-Mahlet. After this evening [on which Yegerem broke his marriage vows by bedding Mahlet] the couple fall apart and take their audience through a series of tragedies. To see if this marriage survives or not, watch this amazing journey for yourself.
If you loved the stage play, surely you must to rush to see the movie to relive the story. Even if you did not get a chance to watch the play, the movie gives you a new chance in which stage play writer, Getenet, takes on the lead [Yegerem.] For Getenet who is also a poet by profession the role seems to fit him more perfectly than it did Tewoderos Tesfaye, who had played the part in the stage play. Tewoderos also finds him self with a much powerful role as he takes on the job of directing the movie, which was appreciated by the audience. For Hargewoyne Asefa and other actors on the play, their parts have been maintained in the movie. Her talent on center stage when she first played as Mahlet, Hargewoyne once again colors the screen with her performance maybe to suggest that her next appearance will be on the big screen.
AriLew Films and Entertainment, which took a safe bet by choosing ‘Webeten Felega’ as its first production has successfully blended the collaboration of foreign professionals [II Jam Productions] as well as their Ethiopian counterparts, resulting in a well-made production. The 1.2 million birr AriLew splashed on the movie is worth every penny.

Unified art exhibition opens

By Addis Mulugeta

A dozen young artists have displayed a collection of paintings at Sidama Lodge, which opened October 8-11, 2008 with the objective of displaying a collection by different artists, styles and techniques at one venue.
Abaylew Assefa, coordinator, said that each artist brought five paintings and over 60 were displayed at the opening ceremony. Guests from the public and the international community appreciated the paintings, which were on sale or held in reserve.
Birnesh Abraham, general manager of Sidama Lodge, stated that she contributed her part to the exhibition by providing free space and promoting the young artists to foreign and domestic clients. Birnesh is also promoting Sidama culture as her staff all wear Sidama attire.
Abylew Assefa, Adamseged Micheal, Seyoum Ayalew, Abera Mehari, Fisum Wubeshet, Joseph Hail Mariam, Asnake Melessee, Nebiyu Assefa, Markos Bekele, Teferi Mekennen, Aklilu Temesgen ans Germa Seboka were the artists whose works graced Sidama Lodge from October 8 – 11. The initiative by the proprietors of the lodge is to be highly commended.

Sculptor opens exhibition

By Groum Abate

“Jo Jastram Ethiopia” an exhibition at the Goethe-Institute opened on October 7, 2008. The exhibition features 15 original bronze sculptures and 24 original drawings.
Jo Jastram’s memorial to one of Germany’ best known philosophers, Karl Marx, whose bust stands in front of Addis Ababa University, is a reminder of a unique period in Ethio-German relations.
In boosting Ethio-German cultural ties “Modern Art Museum Addis Ababa-Gebrekristos Desta Center” was also inaugurated on October 10, 2008.
Exhibit Curator, Dr Kerstin Volker–Saad, on her part said that the exhibition shows for the first time in Ethiopia 15 original bronze sculptures and 24 original drawings of renowned German sculptor, Jo Jastram, from his private collection.
Ambassadors of various countries as well as other invited guests attended the opening ceremony of the month-long exhibition.