Addis Ababa news, topics, discussion etc. Thread

[StormShadow]

[Urban Legend]

very nice city.
i see some russian architecture style and a lot of russian car (cabs).
why is that? what is the conection between Ethiopia and Russia? maby something in the past?

the slums in the middle of the city is the onley thing i didn't liked. all the rest is great.
very develop city.

[abesha]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...hBuYXlJdZVbBCg

ADDIS ABABA — It's a far cry from Ethiopia's traditional Eskista shoulder shake dance, but Salsa is sweeping Addis Ababa with aficionados twirling and spinning their way across the city's dance floors each night.

From just one Salsa school five years ago, started by a US-educated Ethiopian entrepreneur, some 10 more have sprouted in this city of five million people.

At a packed club, businessman Daniel Nigussie, jauntily clad in a white satin shirt and fedora, is getting ready to show off his latest moves with dancer partner Seble Asrat.

The venue is full to capacity and music blares from the speakers; rivals limber up as the clock ticks down to the start of the competition.

"I came here to win and I'm prepared for it," said Nigussie, who spends his days running a computer import company.

With their elaborate steps and twirls, Nigussie and Asrat's performance delights their fans. Like them, they have all recently taken up the dance which groups several different types of Afro-Cuban dances and music.

In addition to the new dance schools, a number of clubs have also started Salsa nights to cater to the growing number of enthusiasts, while training sessions attract at least 5O salseros each night.

Nigussie started learning Salsa a year ago and says his dance skills are getting better every day.

"It's the synergy, the intimacy that you enjoy more than anything else. It's also fun and entertaining for those watching" he explained to AFP.

"It's not easy at all, you need to be on the same wavelength with your partner at all times."

Asrat, glamorously dressed in a skimpy black-and-white dress and high heels, is equally keen.

"It was all by accident. I was invited to a party three years ago and found Latino music being danced to by most of my friends," said the 23-year-old.

"I've never looked back ever since. I've taken courses and I'm now competing."

Salsa could not be more different from the traditional national dance of Eskista performed to a drum beat and in which dancers gyrate and turn in sharp twists from the waist up.

But the differences have failed to deter Salsa's popularity.

"They (styles) are at the extreme ends of the spectrum. Salsa is all about the movement from the waist down," said Mekonnen Bizuwork, who has taught Latin dance for the past four years.

The 24-year-old takes pride in his skills, and points that merengue, cha-cha-cha, bachata and the Caribbean zouk routine are among his specialties.

"At first every newcomer finds it difficult to adjust, but ends up addicted in a short period of time," he said.

Feseha Girmay, the organiser of the inaugural competition -- "Addis Salsa Clash" -- said the event was so popular he was now unsure how many more to hold next year.

"There's so much excitement. It has put me in a dilemma on whether to organise the event twice a year when I initially thought once was enough," he said.

The trend also reflects a steady growth in Ethiopia's middle class population and change of attitude towards the West since 1991, when a secretive and anti-US Communist dictatorship was overthrown by the present government.

From MTV to "Channel O" to "American Idol" and "Britain's Got Talent", Ethiopians now have access to entertainment shows via cable and free satellite channels -- luxuries that were once banned by the old regime.

Feseha is even considering a television version that would attract participants from across the country.

"I've been very encouraged by the enthusiasm from participants. I'm constantly asked about the possibility of hosting more competitions," he said.

"I think a television show would make everyone happy."

For Nigussie and Asrat, who eventually lost in a unanimous decision by a panel of three judges, the experience was what mattered most.

"I wasn't here to become a star. I came here to enjoy myself... and I really did," Nigussie added.

. There's even a joint called Bailamos in Bole. Salsa is everywhere in Addis now. Too cute.

[Yoniii]

Originally Posted by abesha

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...hBuYXlJdZVbBCg



. There's even a joint called Bailamos in Bole. Salsa is everywhere in Addis now. Too cute.

Haha, it's really cute.

I talked to my cousin in Addis about it.. he told my that people are starting to say that they are on their way to a salsa class, even tho they out to get teff. It's become the "it" thing to do..

[Simfan34]

Sounds all good too me!

[Remolino]

Seems Salsa is popular worldwide. This Salsa from Puerto Rico.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM5TfrvFb_E

[Alex Roney]

They need to bring in some reggeaton, a Wisin y Yandel tour should do the trick.

[Remolino]

Would think the reggaeton song by the Panamanian Reggaeton Singer Macano would be tamer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18d78kRfCoY

[enkelfam]

African First Ladies Settle in Addis

The General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies (OAFLA) against HIV/AIDS that took place on Monday, February 1, 2010, has decided that the seat of their permanent secretariat should be in Addis Abeba.

The assembly reached decisions on issues like the need for a permanent secretariat and its location, as well as some legal amendments to the Rules of Procedure and the OAFLA Constitution both of which will enable the organisation to function better.

During the assembly, the President of OAFLA, Azeb Mesfin, wife of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, also announced that the organization has launched campaigns such as Preventing Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) and the Care and Support Programme for orphans to ensure that the next generation of children will not have the HIV/AIDS virus.

OAFLA was established in 2002. Its vision is to create the leadership and support required to ensure that the needs of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS were addressed. It took upon itself the job of creating a sense of responsibility and ownership in caring for orphans and vulnerable children, a duty which the organisation claims to have fulfilled in partnership with a strong network of government agencies and donors.

[enkelfam]

Taste Testing Diversity


The first Ethiopian cultural foods and drinks festival, Taste Ethiopia, was held on Thursday, February 4, 2010, at the Ethiopian Conference Hall. The event hosted 67 different nations and nationalities exhibiting their diverse fare and inviting visitors to taste the various food and drinks on display. Pictured above is Mohammed Drir (centre, wearing scarf and spectacles), minister of Culture and Tourism, with his deputy Tadelech Dalecha (to the left), along with Yaregal Ayesheshum (on the right), former president of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, at the Guraghe kitfo display. The three officials were guests of honour who started off the festival. A member of the group representing the Guraghe Community invites the minister to taste the kitfo, one of the 570 types of food and drinks at the festival.

[abesha]

That sounds so cool! I wish we knew more about the traditional foods of different ethnicities of the country. We only know the injera be wet of the Tigray and Amhara, Kitfo of Gurage and chechebsa of Oromo. Where are the rest??

[enkelfam]

Originally Posted by abesha

That sounds so cool! I wish we knew more about the traditional foods of different ethnicities of the country. We only know the injera be wet of the Tigray and Amhara, Kitfo of Gurage and chechebsa of Oromo. Where are the rest??

I guess you will need to go to the 2nd 'Taste Ethiopia' festival next year

[Ahadu]

Originally Posted by abesha

We only know the injera be wet of the Tigray and Amhara, Kitfo of Gurage and chechebsa of Oromo. Where are the rest??

abesha,
Sorry but, I hate all of the above - particularly injera & Kitfo which need to be banned for good.
Best Ethiopian food, which I missed madly, is Ye Abesha Bread. So organic, natural and healthy.
Injera must be replaced by Ye Abesha Dabo!!

Ye EnQuTatash Dabo - Don't ask me about the Knife okay!
image hosted on flickr

[mike7743]

Originally Posted by Ahadu

abesha,
Sorry but, I hate all of the above - particularly injera & Kitfo which need to be banned for good.

this is easily one of the most idiotic posts I've ever read on here. Injera needs to be banned from Ethiopia?


lol

[enkelfam]

Originally Posted by mike7743

this is easily one of the most idiotic posts I've ever read on here. Injera needs to be banned from Ethiopia?


lol

Thank you.

Its one thing to say I prefer such and such, but to state you want to BAN Injera is probably the worst thing to say. I know a lot of Ethiopians who don't eat injera regularly, but they wouldn't want to BAN it from Ethiopia.

[Ahadu]

Originally Posted by mike7743

this is easily one of the most idiotic posts I've ever read on here. Injera needs to be banned from Ethiopia? lol

Why not? Justify your response before you jump to the conclusion. Seriously, it may sounds idiotic & childish, but there is a good and objective reason why I said that.

[Ahadu]

Originally Posted by enkelfam

I know a lot of Ethiopians who don't eat injera regularly, but they wouldn't want to BAN it from Ethiopia.

enkelfam,

Don't let a mini harsh radical thought i.e. "ban injera" frustrate & surprise you. Rather, try to see the reason behind it. "Ban / or increase tax on Soft Drinks & Fast Food" - Why? cause they're source of obesity..... Is that sounds stupid to you????....Think!!


BTW:
Wake up & please read a history book: King Tewodros IV?....King Tewodros II?.

[Ahadu]

Addis Majet Show
Educate the public. Diversify Ethiopian food.
Yes...there is life without Injera!

http://www.ethiotube.net/video/4723/...--July-04-2008

http://www.ethiotube.net/video/4861/...--July-18-2008

http://www.ethiotube.net/video/5880/...--Chicken-Cave

[abnet]

Originally Posted by Ahadu

Addis Majet Show
Educate the public. Diversify Ethiopian food.
Yes...there is life without Injera!

http://www.ethiotube.net/video/4723/...--July-04-2008

http://www.ethiotube.net/video/4861/...--July-18-2008

http://www.ethiotube.net/video/5880/...--Chicken-Cave

eziga weraj ale ! there is no life without enjera diversify ethiopian food is one thing ban enjera is another thing probably you hate enjera because you see the enjera in states which they make it by mixing with white flour and the cause of most of our obesity and borch. but if u go to ethiopia and try the pure teff enjera its light ,has iron and doesn't give u the uncomfort stomach bloat the american enjera give u .

[mike7743]

Originally Posted by Ahadu

Why not? Justify your response before you jump to the conclusion. Seriously, it may sounds idiotic & childish, but there is a good and objective reason why I said that.

not really, there's nothing you can possibly say that would justify banning a national food.