|
I
sometimes worry that Ethiopianism is now dead. I do
not speak of the virtues and exceptionalities that
have been attributed to the nation and its people.
Neither do I speak of the words and theses that have
been written in the more than various versions of
history. I rather refer to those quirks that we can
only recognize with Ethiopian eyes, and love with an
Ethiopian heart. That strength of heart and vigour
of spirit that has made us who we are since the
beginning of time no longer seem to be as strong as
they used to.
I
recall feelings of mutuality and commonality among
just about everybody growing up. We were, after all,
Ethiopians. There was a common bond; we were all
children of the same womb, the Ethiopian womb. I
also recall the intense feelings of nationalism that
could were stirred up; there was a sense of pride in
who we were and where we came from. During the times
of the Imperial Government, there was a belief
(though one that was eventually eradicated) that our
rulers were divine appointees, and that we were the
nation and people of God. We had faith that we were
under the direct intervention and watchful care of
the divine eye.
Much can be said about the failings and negative
actions of the Derg military regime, but one
thing that can be attributed most especially to its
leader, Mengistu Hailemariam, is the intense feeling
of pride and roaring courage that was stirred up.
Ethiopia was not just a piece of land; it was a
spirit, a religion in and of its own. It was
something that was worth living and fighting for.
More importantly, it was worth dying for.
All this seems to be a thing of the past. Who of
this generation feels the plight of his neighbour
like his own? Ethiopia is not ours anymore, we just
live here. We have been divided and sub-divided to
the point that there is nothing between neighbours
that make us the same, let alone among the people in
the larger community, or on a national basis.
So, I worry that Ethiopianism is now dead. There is
no longer a common sense of nationalism that is felt
by everyone in the country. Each sub-division has
its own agenda with its own means of achieving it,
and its own manners. Cooperation for a united stance
and trying to do what is best for all, rather than
what is best for some, is a concept that has become
as alien to this country as the Baptist faith. We
resemble, sadly enough, crabs in a bucket, all
trying to climb out, but the one getting the
furthest getting pulled down by those at the bottom.
To add insult to injury, it is not as if we can take
comfort in the perpetuation of ways past by
generations to come, because it is they who are
being affected the most, and the fastest. With
globalization, exposure to media, travel, and
broader education, the ways of old and all our
quirks do not seem as endearing anymore. If you do
not like it, you can always move or shut up and take
it, seems to be the general mode de vivre.
Fearing that Ethiopianism will never be revived, and
that it would remain buried six feet under, I began
to wrack my mind this week trying to come up with
something that would be able to unite us all under
the same platform. What was it that used to bring us
together as a nation and people before? Outside
threats were historically always a good way to bring
together this country; we do not like being
attacked. But war, I think, is a bit of a high price
to pay just to bring people together, don’t you?
There was a glimmer of unity when the 2005 elections
rolled around, whether people were supporting either
the opposition or the incumbent, there was a fervour
in the air that had not been seen for a long time.
People were united, no matter what their cause. But,
that was quickly deflated and it made people go
right back to being suspicious and clandestine
towards one another.
To make matters worse, our daily existence does not
allow us to be united in any way, shape, or form. We
live under the guise of Ethnic Federalism, which is
theoretically ambitious enough to make sure that
every aspect and facet of the various
‘nationalities’ in the country are represented and
serviced in every sense of the word. Nevertheless,
in all practicality, what it has done is further the
existing divide. We are no longer Ethiopians first,
and then whatever other title we wish to assign to
ourselves. We are first other things, TIgrian,
Amhara, Oromo, a Christian, a Muslim, rich, poor,
educated, connected, before we are Ethiopian.
These days, the extreme increases in the price of
living seems to be bringing people of all calibres
together, under the mutual understanding that things
are tough everywhere. As great as it is that we are
coming together during trying times, and considering
one another when we are down and out, this also has
to translate into times when people are a little bit
better off. This is what Ethiopianism used to be,
you know, before it died. |
