Ethiopians of ethnic Amhara root propelled a two days establishing gathering and proclaimed the appearing of another resistance ideological group, National Movement of Amhara (NAMA). The traveler city of Bahir Dar, which is likewise the seat of the territorial government which is driven by Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), facilitated the two days in length establishing meeting of the new party that tries to speak to ethnic Amhara, one of the biggest gathering of Ethiopia's 100 million individuals. Unexpectedly, the gathering occurred at Mulualem social focus, which is named after one of ANDM's fallen soldier who is accepted to be killed by Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) killers and what is amusing about it is that ANDM, which additionally claims to speak to ethnic Amhara and oversees the area, permitted a conceivably fighting political power have its gathering before its eyes and even permitted territorial media, similar to Amhara Mass Media Agency, to give the occasion a selective inclusion. Generally there have been two ways to deal with the use of mental and psychoanalytic reasoning to the political procedures. One methodology asserts that, as a science, brain research and therapy ponder the political procedure from a fair view. The second methodology expresses that a therapist's qualities are inalienably interwoven with the two his clinical work and his perceptions of socio-political examinations. Welch has a place with the second gathering. This book fills two needs. One is as an investigation of the mental and psychoanalytic comprehension of current socio-political issues. The second is as a reminder to be all the more completely mindful of the political control to which we are oppressed. Utilizing his experience as a legal advisor, a psychoanalytically arranged clinical therapist, and previous leader of the Practice Directorate of the APA, Bryant Welch has composed an intriguing and pertinent book communicating his point of view on current social-political issues. Welch expounds enthusiastically on issues we as a whole face. Welch's fundamental subject is that the psyche experiences issues enduring unpredictability and vulnerability, particularly when stood up to with conditions which strife with genuinely held feelings. A develop mind is better ready to endure numerous causes, or unpredictability, and is inclined to reason as communicated through logical information. Welch's idea of the brain is steady with liberal, systematic reasoning, and the adjustments in intuition saw in customers amid explanatory psychotherapy. He builds up his topic by talking about numerous parts of current socio-political issues, some of which the peruser will know. I, for one, was better ready to comprehend the religious right and addition further understanding into jealousy as it shows up in the sociopolitical scene to name two occurrences.
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Simien Mountains are Burning
The Semien Mountains, in northern Ethiopia, north east of Gondar in Amhara region, are part of the Ethiopian Highlands. They are a World Heritage Site and include the Simien Mountains National Park. The mountains consist of plateaus separated by valleys and rising to pinnacles. The tallest peak is Ras Dejen (4,550 m); other notable heights include Mounts Biuat (4,437 m) and Kidis Yared (4,453 m).
Because of their geological origins, the mountains are almost unique, with only South Africa's Drakensberg having been formed in the same manner and thus appearing similar. Notable animals in the mountains include the walia ibex, gelada, and caracal. There are a few Ethiopian
The Semien Mountains were formed prior to the creation of the Rift Valley, from lava outpourings between 40 and 25 million years ago during the Oligocene period. The volcano is believed to have spread over more than 5000 m2 and resulted in a thick sequence of basaltic lava some 3,000-3,500 m thick that was deposited on Precambrian crystalline basement. The major part of the Semien Mountains consists of remnants of a Hawaiian-type shield volcano. The Kidus Yared peak is situated near the center of the shield volcano. Ras Dejen (4,533 m), Bwahit (4,430 m) and Silki (4,420 m) were formed from the outer core of this ancient volcano.
The extreme escarpment in Semien appears to be a precondition for the formation of the extended uplift of the whole mountain massif 75 million years ago. The dramatic views are due to this volcanic activity. Especially of note is the 2,000 m high escarpment extending in a southwest-northeast direction.
There are different types of soils as a result of the difference in geological formation, glaciations, topography, and climate. The Humic Andosol is the dominant soil type which is mainly found at an altitude of 3,000 m. The other types of soil are shallow Andosols, Lithosols, and Haplic Phaeozems that are mainly common in the area between 2,500 and 3,500 m. The Semien Mountains are highly eroded as a result of human land use practices and as a result of the topography of the area.
Although the word Semien means "north" in Amharic, according to Richard Pankhurst the ancestral form of the word actually meant "south" in Ge'ez, because the mountains lay to the south of Aksum, which was at the time the center of Ethiopian civilization. But as over the following centuries the center of Ethiopian civilization itself moved to the south, these mountains came to be thought of as lying to the north, and the meaning of the word likewise changed.
The Semiens are remarkable as being one of the few spots in Africa where snow regularly falls. First mentioned in the Monumentum Adulitanum of the 4th century AD (which described them as "inaccessible mountains covered with snow" and where soldiers walked up to their knees in snow), the presence of snow was undeniably witnessed by the 17th century Jesuit priest Jerónimo Lobo. Although the later traveler James Bruce claims that he had never witnessed snow in the Semien Mountains, the 19th century explorer Henry Salt not only recorded that he saw snow there (on 9 April 1814), but explained the reason for Bruce's failure to see snow in these mountains – Bruce had ventured no further than the foothills into the Semiens.
Despite their ruggedness and altitude, the mountains are dotted with villages linked by tracks. Historically they were inhabited by Ethiopian Jews (the Beta Israel), who after repeated attacks by the zealous Christian Emperors in the 15th century withdrew from the province of Dembiya into the more defensible Semien mountains.
Towards the end of the Zemene Mesafint, Dejazmach Wube Haile Mariam maintained his arsenal and treasury on Mount Hai
Consisting of Ras Dejen (also known as Ras Dashen), the highest peak over 4,530 meters above sea level, Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains in the North Western parts of the country has been one of the major tourist attractions.
UNESCO called the Simien National Park, which is part of Semien Mountains, as “one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world.” The park is also known for its endemic animals the Walia ibex, Chilada baboon, and the Simien fox.
News coming from the regional state since Thursday, March 28, 2019, seems to indicate that the park is facing great threat, perhaps in its history.
A fierce fire is raging in the park since yesterday and it does not to be under control although there were initial reports, from the region’s Wildlife protection and conservation authority Director – Belayneh Ayele that the fire was controlled but that does not seem to be the case. Trees and grass in the park are burned.
Amhara Mass Media Agency (AMMA) reported on Friday that the fire is out of control. The methods used to control the fire since Thursday was traditional ones including using water and soil, and mostly volunteer based – showing lack of coordinated emergency response on the part of government. Students, farmers and the region’s Special Forces, among others, are engaged in the effort to put out the fire.
North Gonder Zone authorities have already pleaded for government support although the Federal government is yet to respond to it.
Apart from lack of modern methods like Air spray using aircraft, dry grass in the park and wind have aggravated the fire.
Cause of the fire is believed to be arson but no suspects are in custody so far, according to the region’s state media.
This is the second wild fire in the country in less than a week. Bale National Park in South Ethiopia experienced similar situation.
Skeptical politicized Ethiopians seem to see the news of fire on Ethiopia’s’ two important parks as parts of coordinated and orchestrated strategy to create another dimension of crisis in the country.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Mustafa Omer Brings Hope and Light to the Somali Region
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| President Mustafa Omer |
The New Reform Leadership of President Mustafa Omer Brings Hope and Light to the Somali Region
What an opportunity we on the SMNE team had during a recent visit to the Somali region where we were able to see so much evidence of reforms brought by the new president, Mustafa Omer, and his administration. Everywhere we went, people told us about the new leadership that is bringing genuine reforms.
We had a very meaningful and productive discussion with President Mustafa. We had a meeting of minds. He told us he was well aware of our work and that he had a great appreciation and respect for what we have done over the years, especially struggling for the rights of all Ethiopians, including the Somali region.
He strongly supports and has implemented the core values of the SMNE. He urged us to work together with him to advance these values, believing the only way forward was to value the freedom and rights of all citizens, closely quoting the SMNE principle that no one ethnic group will be free until all ethnic groups are free. He said the country belongs to all of us and that working together is the only way for the survival of our country.
He spoke with concern regarding problems in the region; in particular, the division within his party. He explained that changes being made are not welcomed by some who do not like what he is doing and want to take the region back to where it was a year ago— a time of killing, violence and destruction.
Some of those now opposed to the reforms were power holders in the past and see these reforms as a threat to their control. He stressed that his team was working hard to resolve this problem peacefully. He also urged us and others to stand with him in support of these reforms.
We really appreciated his straightforward message and his commitment to these goals in the midst of the resistance of a few hardliners.
Our Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is the best thing that has happened to the country for as long as I can remember. He came into office already holding to an inclusive vision for all of Ethiopia. Soon after that came our brother Mustafa someone who holds to similar values as Abiy. He has become the best thing I can remember happening in the Somali region.
These two men give light back to our beloved country of Ethiopia. Anti-reform people are working hard to switch off the light, worried that the greater light will expose them and their wrongdoing.
All of us have to be vigilant to protect and preserve this light. If the lights are switched off in Jijiga, we should consider the lights switched off in all other regions. If the lights are switched off in Addis Ababa in resistance to Abiy’s efforts; it is like the lights were switched off in the whole nation.
The same light that is now shining more brightly in Somali region, is also only shining in Oromia and Amhara; however, it must be turned on in other regions as well. A place like Tigray, Gambella, Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz, Harare, Dire Dawa and the Southern Nations need genuine reformers, not people who are part of the system where they are secretly working to undermine the change.
Most of these places only superficially changed since the insiders still remain as power holders and this is the reason these regions are still experiencing violence, conflict and displacement.
Real reform can only thrive where there are genuine reformers like Mustafa and other leaders endorsed and respected by their people.
We cannot go back to the former darkness of the TPLF. The country needs more light, not less light; more unity, not division; more love, not hatred; more truth, not deception; more harmony, not violence; more reconciliation, not revenge; and more justice, not vigilante justice or mob rule.
A more peaceful, just, democratic and honorable Ethiopia begins right here and all of us should stand together to support our Prime Minister Abiy, our Brother Mustafa and leaders like them who have integrity, share these core values and genuinely care about other people.
Ethiopia needs national leaders, not tribal or village leaders who undermine the lives and rights of others because of self-interest, ambition and greed. Read more here
Friday, January 18, 2019
Ethiopia Epiphany
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| An Ethiopian Tewahedo ceremony at Fasilides' Bath in Gondar, Ethiopia, celebrating Timkat (Epiphany). |
Timkat is the Orthodox Tewahedo celebration of Epiphany. It is celebrated on January 19th (or 20th in a leap year), corresponding to the 10th day of Terr in the Ethiopian calendar.
Timkat celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. This festival is best known for its ritual reenactment of baptism (similar to such reenactments performed by numerous Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land when they visit the Jordan).
During the ceremonies of Timkat, the Tabot, a model of the Ark of the Covenant, which is present on every Ethiopian altar (somewhat like the Western altar stone), is reverently wrapped in rich cloth and borne in procession on the head of the priest.[1] The Tabot, which is otherwise rarely seen by the laity, represents the manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah when he came to the Jordan for baptism. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated near a stream or pool early in the morning (around 2 a.m.). Then the nearby body of water is blessed towards dawn and sprinkledon the participants, some of whom enter the water and immerse themselves, symbolically renewing their baptismal vows. But the festival does not end there; Donald N. Levine describes a typical celebration of the early 1960s:
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Ethiopian Wildlife
Ethiopia has 31 endemic species of mammals.The African wild dog prehistorically had widespread distribution in the territory. However, with last sightings at Finicha'a, this canid is thought to be potentially locally extinct. The Ethiopian wolf is perhaps the most researched of all the endangered species within Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a global center of avian diversity. To date more than 856 bird species have been recorded in Ethiopia, twenty of which are endemic to the country. Sixteen species are endangered or critically endangered. A large number of these birds feed on butterflies, like the Bicyclus anynana.
Historically, throughout the African continent, wildlife populations have been rapidly declining due to logging, civil wars, pollution, poaching, and other human factors. A 17-year-long civil war, along with severe drought, negatively impacted Ethiopia's environmental conditions, leading to even greater habitat degradation.Habitat destruction is a factor that leads to endangerment. When changes to a habitat occur rapidly, animals do not have time to adjust. Human impact threatens many species, with greater threats expected as a result of climate change induced by greenhouse gases. With carbon dioxide emissions in 2010 of 6,494,000 tonnes, Ethiopia contributes just 0.02% to the annual human-caused release of greenhouse gases.
Ethiopia has a large number of species listed as critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable to global extinction. The threatened species in Ethiopia can be broken down into three categories (based on IUCN ratings): critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable.
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| The Ethiopian wolf |
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