Today I heard Tewodros Tadesse sing live. The song I’ve heard before, its one of my favorite songs. There are a few songs that I classify as memory songs. One is ‘Abeba yehoye…Lem Lem,’ the Meskerem song. This past Ethiopian New Years I saw Neway Debeb doing his version with Chachi Taddesse at the New Years Event in DC. I remember thinking about Meskerem Ande in Ethiopia.
The drawings that kids bring to your house and say Enkuan ADeresachihu in the hopes of getting some frank. I’ve talked about this drawing with quite a few people that have come from Agerbet after me, some don’t remember. I suspect that the tradition has slowed down in the recent years. ‘Abeba yehoye’ also reminds me of Adey Abebas. I guess the ear has a strong memory. I’ve heard that of the five senses that the nose (the sense of smell) has the strongest memory, then the ear.
Back to the subject, Teddy sang a song originally by Mulatu Astatqe, called Assiyo Ballema. I know it; actually have the original album. The second half of the song goes to transfers the rhythm and he goes ‘Hoya Hoye… Hoya hoye… eza mado…’ Ok so right then I started to think about Chibos. I miss Chibo Mabrate.
We have brought many aspects of our culture with us. We have our Kedase at the local church, our traditional cloths, our Buna bejebena Na Sini and etc among others. Some people even go to the farm so they could Beg Marede for fasika. I think we forgot the Chibo and Hoya Hoye. I am not suggesting of burning some wood in the apartment parking lot. I’m suggesting having a bonfire with a bunch of people and singing Hoya hoye.
Promoters take notes this is a great idea, you can even cover a cover charge and fliers. LeMeskel Tezgaju.
Ok after writing this post i found out that; indeed they have meskel celebrations in local churchs….
Published by March 26th, 2006 in Music and Podcast.
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yeah hombre, i used to sell those drawings. most of them depicted angels holding swords, surrounded by flowers. the drawings were worth from ten cents to fifty cents. it was quite a big thing to earn fifty cents at an age of 12. …thanks nolawi…you brought back some good memories.
i cherish those memories. the whole experience of being brought up un addis is priceless. especially, the area i grew up in, Lideta has thaught me so much, in terms of how to hustle thru life.
Thank you for a wonderful blog Noli. It brought back lots of great memories. Teddy’s version on Mulatu Astatqe’s album is definitely great, just wanted to add that the Hoya Hoye part of the vocals was also done by Rida Ibrahim.
As for the chibo–I believe there are a few churches in the DC area that has the chibo and Damera ceremony for the Mesqel celebration. I know for a fact that Debre Selam Saint Michael Church in Washington DC is one of churches that does it.
you know after i wrote this i was told about the meskel chibo celebrations that are held in DC… yegermal.. they have covered everything… rida ibrahim not mulato, mulato doesnt sing malete nuew or what???
Mulatu doesn’t do vocals. Mulatu is strictly an Arranger and instrumentalist (Vibraphone, Piano, and Percusions)On that “Assiyo Ballema” CD, its Rida Ibrahim, who is no longer in the music business, who does the vocals. Back in the 70’s and 80’s he was part of the ‘Dahlak Band,’ who backed and arranged most of Muluken Melesse’s albums.
EthioJazz… do you happen to know why Rida Ibrahim gave up making music?
BTW, they have Meskel and Demera celebrations all over the world…
Tiqur, I actually do know why Rida gave up music. He became an ordained protestant pastor.
thx EthioJazz… didn’t know that…
what’s up
[quote comment="78"]EthioJazz… do you happen to know why Rida Ibrahim gave up making music?
Rida Ibrahim is now religious person. He sings for God!
BTW, they have Meskel and Demera celebrations all over the world…[/quote]