Ethiopian Review

By Liya Endale

Observing social Ethiopian-American phenomena does not end on American soil. As any member of the Ethiopian Diaspora can attest, my first trip back home after a long absence was one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. Through a comedic procession of social mistakes which would have mortified anyone else, I learned about daily life in my homeland. No matter how many stories you hear or how many shady video tapes you watch of Gash so and so’s wedding, you will not truly get the experience until you go home again. Today, I will share one such occurrence which stands out in my mind only because I hardly get embarrassed and to hopefully make you smile… at my expense.

Though I am not religious myself, I am quite captivated with religion. I love the customs and traditions that vary so widely. Some sing and dance, some teach of somber and disciplined ways of life, some chant and meditate, and some speak in another language even they don’t understand. It is a luxurious privilege that I can observe these traditions while maintaining a freedom to choose to participate in none or all of them. … read more