- Ethiopia commemorates how the country defeated the Italian army and avoided European colonization – one of the country’s most important holidays.
- But this year, the celebration of the ongoing civil war in Tigray is overshadowed.
- Hear Ekot’s reporter on site in Addis Ababa.
– Real Ethiopians celebrate the memory of the battle of Adwa, of course there are exceptions but true Ethiopians celebrate this day, says Matias Maima.
He shows off his traditional clothes and his replica of an old rifle that he threw over his shoulder.
He and his friends took part in the annual celebration in memory of the Battle of Adwa in March 1896, a battle in which the Ethiopian army crushed Italy’s colonial ambitions. The battle is still today a source of enormous national pride and is thoroughly celebrated as the triumph of the united Ethiopia.
This year, history is rubbing off. Adwa is located in Tigray, where a bitter civil war has been raging since November between regional forces and the Ethiopian state. Ironically, the big official celebration of national unity has moved on this year – and is instead held here in Addis Ababa.
As relations between groups in multicultural Ethiopia have become increasingly fragile, the country’s history has become more political in recent years. Today it was seen on the streets of Addis Ababa: many tigers did not participate in this year’s celebration at all. Instead, the Oromo group, where many for historical reasons used to turn their backs on the celebration, has been seen in large numbers today – in support of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s war in Tigray.
– Yes, this year’s celebration is different, admits Matias Maima.
– But maybe it can still contribute to better cohesion between all Ethiopians, he concludes hopefully.
Source: ICELAND NEWS