#9. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

The only African country that was never colonized?! This is one of the most unique and interesting discovery that I made several years ago. In its old, historically, the country was called Abyssinia (the Ethiopian Empire) with an arabic origin. Immediately I hear about Ethiopia, my mind is taken back to when I was 11 in primary school class six and we were learning about Haile Selassie in history of politics. In my quest to know why and more about life outside the breathe of colonies, I found more interesting factual histories and historical remains about Christianity many millenia ago. Aksum attracts my attention most. But I will concentrate on these histories in the next phase. Ethiopia's magnificent national parks and rich cultures are worth quenching the thirst of an explorer.

Ethiopia is a rugged landlocked country split by the Great Rift Valley in the Horn of Africa. It borders Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan and Sudan. Its capital city is the famous Adis Ababa. For the first time in the country's history, a woman is elected as the president. Her Excellency, Sahle-Work Zewde is the current president of Ethiopia since 2018. Her name closely resembles the Empress of Ethiopia who ruled for 15 years before Haile Selassie became the Emperor in 1930. Zewditu was a woman whose name means "the Crown" and she was an ambivalent leader known for her staunch conservatism and religious devotion. Spoken most and natively are Amharic and Oromo languages. The widely spoken foreign language is English.

While other African countries toiled under the colonies, Ethiopia had earlier found the beam to modernization and substantial connections outside. At least for these ones, they knew the repercussions of having their political belongings under foreigners. They said no to the attempting Italians. Having had most countries national identities defined under the influence of their colonies especially after independence, let us explore what lies behind Ethiopia's national identity.

History of Ethiopia's National Flag

According to the Flagmakers, The first flag flown in Ethiopia was that of the Aussa Sultanate (all red), the rulers of the area towards the end of the 16th Century (shown below).

From the 17th Century red, yellow and green pennants were flown in the area (shown below)

The First official flag of Ethiopia was adopted in 1897; it features the green-yellow-red horizontal tricolour with the crowned Lion of Judah at the centre holding a staff with a cross on top. Clarity that the politics of the area had a strong foundation on Christianity. (shown below)

When Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie (I) was overthrown in 1974, the tricolour flag was altered slightly. The crown was removed and Staff was replaced with a spear (shown below).

The lion was removed from the flag when The Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police and Territorial Army (Derg) ruled Ethiopia between 1974 and 1987 (shown below).

When the Derg was broken up in 1987, Mengiistu Haile Mariam’s socialist People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was formed. The tricolour’s proportions were elongated and a socialist emblem featured in the centre (shown below).

In 1991 the People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front defeated Mengiistu and the socialist emblem was removed and the the flag remained with three plain colors again (shown below)

The emblem of Ethiopia was added to the centre of the flag in 1996, originally a light blue field (shown below).

The field was changed after eight months to dark blue. This became the national flag of Ethiopia to date (shown below).

Meanings of the Flag parameters.

#Red colour is a symbol of strength.

#Yellow colour is a symbol of peace.

#Green colour is a symbol of the richness and fertility of their land. And also hope.

#Blue colour is a symbol of unity.

#The Emblem Features a blue circle with a gold pentagram and five rays golden light. It has depictions: straight and equal lines of yellow that come from all directions and join each other; a star formed by the straight and equal lines; and yellow rays radiating from the joints of the straight and equal lines. It is intended to represent both the diversity and unity of the country.

The National Anthem of Ethiopia

Original compositions were in Amharic. But there are English versions

This is the first country I realize has had more than one compositions of National Anthems.

The first one was composed by Kevork Nalbandian in 1926, the anthem was first performed during the coronation of the Emperor (Haile Selassie) on 2 November 1930. It remained the national anthem until the Emperor was overthrown by the Derg regime in 1974 and was relinquished the next year (1975).

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Anthem 1:

Ethiopia, be happy

Thanks to the power of God and your ruler.

Your brave citizens are unanimous;

Your freedom will never be touched,

As your mountains are defiant,

And your natives do not fear any enemy.

Long live our victorious ruler,

To the glory of our country.

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The lyrics were written by Dereje Melaku Mengesha, and the music was composed by Solomon Lulu Mitiku. The song was adopted in 1992, as part of reforms that followed the collapse of the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Anthem 2 (current):

____________March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia________________

Respect for citizenship is strong in our Ethiopia;

National pride is seen, shining from one side to another.

For peace, for justice, for the freedom of peoples,

In equality and in love we stand united.

Firm of foundation, we do not dismiss humanness;

We are people who live through work.

Wonderful is the stage of tradition, owners of a proud heritage,

Natural grace, mother of a valorous people.

We shall protect you – we have a duty;

Our Ethiopia, live! And let us be proud of you!

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Wow! This is such a rich discovery! Despite civil wars and disorientations that sometimes disrupt the country and its people, they have a wonder of history and beauty. I have met Ethiopians and they uphold the unity they talk about. They are kind souls too. As a neighbour's child, I am so proud of Ethiopia. My thirst for more beautiful things is more at this!

Our Ethiopia, Live! And let us be proud of you!

Dear esteemed reader,

See you in the next country!

©Girl of the African Soil