Happy Ethiopian New Year! Saturday, Ethiopia celebrated its new year; it's officially 2003 according to the Ethiopian calendar. Obviously, Americans don't really celebrate the Ethiopian New Year but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the party and some tibs (roasted meat). The new year is a very big celebration for Ethiopians. The main event is the slaughtering of animals. All week long, there were huge herds of sheep being led down the street. People in the office were talking about buying a sheep, ox, goat and/ or chicken to be slaughtered for the new year. Then, the feasting would commence. The meat of said sad slaughtered animal would be cooked various ways and people go to different people's houses all day. It's essentially a holiday of eating, drinking...and eating some more. I went to a co-worker's house for the celebration and there was SUCH delicious Ethiopian food. I smile now even thinking about it.
One of the interesting observations from this weekend, however, was the shift in holiday celebration in Ethiopia's most urban area, Addis Ababa. Everyone emphasized how family-oriented the holiday is (as most are in Ethiopia). However, as I talked to more people, I learned that its more family oriented in rural areas. With this new generation, the idea of spending the ENTIRE day with one's family doesn't seem to resonate as much. I thought about how the concept has changed in the US-- family holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving used to be SO family oriented. Everyone went home for Christmas and you spent all day with your family. You would eat at your house, then go to an aunt's house, then to grandma's house. It was an all day affair. These days, folks are having Thanksgiving night specials at the club...and people are really going. I feel like its the same thing here. I thought I wasn't going to see my Ethiopian friends but they hit me up in the afternoon like "What's good?" We went to a few bars later and they were packed. Like a regular Saturday night. It made me sad a little bit. Sometimes I like to think of some aspect of Africa untouched by outside influences, as if it exists in a bubble. But it doesn't. Globalization has touched this place, for better or worse.
PS. I received two packages today that arrived in the DMV on September 1. What is that...12 days? And it may have been here on Friday, but we were off. Look at how quick that was (compared to the five weeks). That's all I'm saying.
2003. Wish I could go back to that year with the knowledge I have now and change a couple things. At least the first half of the day is still very family oriented. I don't quite understand clubbing but alas that is generally how we bring in the new year in the US too. Maybe some of the other holidays still remain extra focused on family and/or friends as opposed to getting it in on the floor with strangers. I feel a shoulder dance coming on :-P. Get it on the floor, get it get it on the floor. Ok. I'm really going to stop being silly and get back to my work.
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