Grabbing Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a country filled with breathtaking landscapes in nature, diverse in culture and religious views (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) that coexist rather peacefully and rich in history; which is terrific for tourists searching for something different and adventurous. Well that's what these promotional videos below have thematically essentialised Ethiopia as. 

World Vignettes describes Ethiopia: "[Ethiopia has] the richness of culture, the excitement of a safari and a wonder of nation rarely seen by Western eyes," 

The FDRE Ministry of Culture and Tourism displays Ethiopia's rich culture and exotic looking diversity,

Promotional Video: Walta Information Center, Addis Ababa

Of course, that's their prerogative in order to attract tourists, however a promotional company can represent Ethiopia as, another can spin it's image differently.

When they show you the breathtaking landscapes of the Nile, mountains, ancient structures along with the richness of culture, they don't highlight the farmland owned by foreign investors. 

Workers on farmland owned by Karaturi Global, in Bako credits to Jose Cendon/ Getty Images  from theguardian.com 

As a result of this foreign investment, do they reveal the displaced people evicted from their traditional land, as a result of the FDRE's highly promoted venture to sell off three million hectares of farmland to foreign investors (of which one million has already been sold)?  

People struggling to feed themselves, due to displacement

When they promote cultural diversity do they mean this guy?

Sai Ramakrishna Karaturi;
founder of Karaturi Global
 one of many enterprises buying Ethiopian Land
Article here 

OF COURSE NOT!

Massey (2006) teaches us that space and place are fluid concepts, not restrained by it's common representation of how other people may present it through maps, promotional videos, brochures etc.  Ethiopia as a place is perceived differently for tourists, it's Indigenous people, government and foreign investors. 

Therefore, you cannot presume that Ethiopia is the land of untouched wilderness of exotic cultures filled with rich histories, it's not only that. Thus, when making your journey around Ethiopia, don't search for an essentialised promotional version of Ethiopia, discover YOUR STORY of Ethiopia and make it matter to you. 

To cut or not to cut? pt 1

What's so controversial about the objects displayed above (razor and knife)?

So in countries like Ethiopia, these tools (along with knives and glass) have been used to cut, along with partial and whole removal of external female genitalia (clitoris, vaginal lips etc) - often without being sanitized and in less than sterile conditions.

Shocking right? Well this practice is most commonly known as Female Gender Mutilation/Circumcision (FGM/C). In Ethiopia it is believed that around 71% of women have undergone the various forms of FGM/C. This could have happened at infancy until when they are 15 years old- depending on where the child is from.

The  four types of FGM/C are:

Type I- Clitoridectomy

Type II- Excision

Type III- Infibulation (this is type is prevalently used in Ethiopia)

Type IV- Other

Consequences of Female circumcision can include: severe pain, infection of uterus and vagina, complication in pregnancy and child birth amongst others (read the full UNICEF report here).

To many feminists, health and human rights organizations (UNICEF, DHS) the use of these basic tools on the bodies of young girls has been perceived as discriminatory as it strips the integrity of the body, negatively impairs sexual function and pleasure and is done to those who cannot be give informed consent.

 

Despite laws, outreach, education programs to prevent FGM/C it is still done as it carries cultural and religious significance.

In  places like Tigray and Addis Ababa Ethiopia, these tools are instrumental in transitioning the young girls into maturity, improving their image as clean, virginal creatures. In addition they're used to prevent sexual promiscuity, teenage pregnancy and helps them with their marriage prospects.

Therefore, the use of a razor upon the bodies of young girls means different things to different people, depending on where they are from. That is why if change is to be sought to prevent this practice it must be done sensitively in order to enact a lasting impact.

Ethiopia's fascination with Lions

An Ethiopian Lion
aka The Black Lion
Named for their distinctive man

Lions are very iconic in Ethiopia because they have always been deeply ingrained in the history, culture and religious beliefs of the Ethiopians. 

If you were to walk through Ethiopia's Capital Addis Abba, there are many Lion Motifs to be seen; for example:

Tikur Anbessa (The Black Lion Hotel)
The Largest General Hospital in Addis Ababa
Named after the Black Lion

The Lion of Judah
Important icon for the Rastafari
&
believers in Judaism and Christianity

Anbessa Bus Service 

The Abyssianian Lion (Ethiopia was formerly called Abyssia)

A closer look of the emblem shown in
the left picture

Why are Lions Important?

1. Characteristics

They are the continuing national symbol of Ethiopia's strength and perseverance, whether it be for their independence or growing economicpower.

One instance of this perseverance is recounted in the story of Emperor Tewodros II (He ruled from 1855-1868) who according to many exhibited a lion's strength, courage and protectiveness of his nation, in refusing to surrender and be taken hostage by the British and instead committed suicide.

Emperor Tewodros II
(Reigned from 1855-1868)

2. Religious Significance

Lions are also important to the Ethiopian religious identity, shown through their reverence of The Lion of Judah- especially the Ethiopian Christians and Rastafarians.

In Judaism the Lion is a symbol of the Tribe of Judah, which is important because their former monarchs are believed to be descendants of King Solomon through their first Emperor Menelik I- linking them to their closer to their faith.

Emperor Haille Selassie I
(Reigned from 1930- 1977

Furthermore, the Rastafari call Emperor Haile Selassie I The Lion of Judah- as they believe he is the reincarnation of Jesus due to his actions during his reign (1930-1974).   

The Lion of Judah
Rastafari symbol of the strength undertaken
to overcome oppression.  

Reduction in Prominence?

Unfortunately the Ethiopian Lion population is dangerously low with around 500 alive in captivity and in the wild.

Also the Lion of Judah is no longer an emblem on the Ethiopian flag and the Black Lion no longer features on Ethiopia's airline.

In conclusion, with the Ethiopian Lion becoming extinct and being less prominent- these could be indicators that Lions could be less of an icon in the future.