“…both natural and artistic beauty is capable of evoking what is called the sense of transcendence…” Southwestern Baptist University.
Albert Einstein said, “All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree, all these aspirations are directed towards ennobling man’s life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individuals towards freedom.” Further and according to Southwest Baptist University in Missouri’s Religion and Art Introduction, “The arts have always been used to express the divine, e.g., in Christian liturgical services. Indeed, if reality has a divine origin then whatever is part of it must be germane or at least analogous to the divine. 1. Generally, the arts, due to their strong emotional impact and ability to act immediately and directly upon our perception, prior to conceptual thinking, can enhance any area of experience, including religious experience. 2. Specifically, both natural and artistic beauty is capable of evoking what is called the sense of transcendence, or the presence of some deeper (divine) principles in the world. Art and beauty are immediately pleasing but the reasons for this are unclear. This means that the rules and principles of art are beyond us or transcend us: possibly indicating the presence of a higher principle (e.g., the divine) in the universe. The arts are used for these purposes by most religious traditions, but specifically in the Christian tradition by the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic traditions.”
A perfect example of the impact of religion and art in Ethiopia is the recent and re-occuring for centuries, colorful Timket celebrations attracting devotees and local and international tourist alike to Addis Abeba, Axum, Lalibella and Gondar in particular. Timket, as we know, is the Ethiopian Epiphany and is indeed a truly awesome sight and experience which evokes great emotion and veneration as it honors the baptism of the Christ in the River Jordan. The joyous occasion is marked by spiritual songs, synchronized movements/dances and colorful processions around the carrying of the Tabot, a replica of the Ark of the Covenant. But does the average individual correlate art and religion in the emotional sense?
As we unpack the notion of SBU that art can enhance the religious experience, undoubtedly artistic elements of Timket add to the experience of the celebration. The sight of hundreds of white robbed priests waving their wooden praying stick, designed with ornate metals meskels, also carried by the Ethiopian priests and monks during the long-lasting ceremonies, is in itself an art piece. Then there are the colorful umbrellas carried over the Tabot for miles to and from the churches which form miles long processions of devotees who share in the euphoria of faith, hope and prayer with little concern for tired feet after the long journey. The drums and other artistic elements seal the event as they provide sounds and sights that keep worshippers in synch with their spirituality. One may say the vibrant nature of the ceremony assuages of any feelings of weariness throughout the 3 day event.
As to the second SBU point, “… both natural and artistic beauty is capable of evoking what is called the sense of transcendence, or the presence of some deeper (divine) principles…”. I see this every day in our beloved Ethiopia. Hence in my eyes I view Timket as a symbol of Ethiopians deep, abiding and unshakable faith against all odds. The imagery and pageantry however, allow the faithful to share and reinforce the hopes and aspirations of a renewed spirit of love. The optics of the unity and solidarity evoked by Timket ceremonies is an art and a moment in time that many capture in paintings, photos and videos representing the culture of Ethiopia and not just religion. That said, we look forward to UNESCO approving Ethiopia’s request to include Timket as an intangible cultural heritage which the world can continue to enjoy. And as to Einstein’s sentiments, we pray that the aspirations of art, science and religion to take us into higher moral existence and can help us heal old wounds in our ancient land while providing a renewed sense of faith for brotherly and sisterly love. After all, the true art of religion or spirituality should help us rise above differences with grace and a spirit of One Love. Melkam Timket.
Dr. Desta Meghoo is a Jamaican born
Creative Consultant, Curator and cultural promoter based in Ethiopia since 2005. She also serves as Liaison to the AU for the Ghana based, Diaspora African Forum.
Preconceived ideas and inadequate analysis prevent investment into the continent
With its new strategy in Africa, the US is calling into question the financial aid it grants to countries across the continent. International assistance may remain important to some countries. However, it is through investment that Africa’s development and prosperity will be guaranteed.
Yet in this field too, the US seems to be taking a back seat; quite the paradox, given that it also deplores the fact that Africa seeks such investments from those who treat us as legitimate business partners, such as China.
Located between Asia, Europe and the Americas, Africa is at the centre of international trade. More than a mere geographical fact, day after day our continent acquires more and more means to contribute to wider global growth.
Before becoming a great economic power, China was tipped as a future giant in large part thanks to its human capital. By 2050, Africa will be home to 2.4bn inhabitants – a quarter of the world’s population – of whom 1bn will be under the age of 18. In Africa, just as in China, human capital is a major asset. Regardless, we must continue to improve the prospects for our young people, who all too often search for opportunities elsewhere.
Customs barriers are holding back Africa’s market potential and that is why the continent is undertaking the construction of the world’s largest free trade zone by 2030. Once implemented, it will unite up to 55 states with a combined gross domestic product of $3.3tn. It will take Africa only 14 years to forge what has taken other continents decades.
Denis Mukwege issued a forceful reminder when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize: African countries are among the richest on the planet, but their people are among the poorest in the world.
By doing little more than exporting its raw materials, Africa forfeits any chance of creating jobs and wealth. This situation is in the process of changing; African economic growth is being driven by the demand of the continent’s growing middle class. The continent is industrialising and now intends to transform and add value to the goods it exports.
The latest international rankings offer encouraging signs. Djibouti leapt 55 places in one year in the World Bank’s 2018 Doing Business rankings and was as one of the top 10 most improved economies for ease of doing business. Ethiopia proudly boasts double-digit growth and we should all celebrate recent political developments in the Horn of Africa.
We could go on: the inaugurations of several ports respond to growing demand in east Africa; railway networks are expanding at high speed in Morocco, Nigeria and in the Horn of Africa; and sub-Saharan economic growth is expected to reach 3.8 per cent in 2019.
However, rather than spurring hope and confidence, our continent continues to evoke uncertainty and scepticism due often to preconceived ideas or inadequate analysis.
The most commonly expressed concerns are related to debt. By becoming too indebted with certain creditors, mainly China, African countries are mortgaging their future sovereignty.
First, we note that those who once exercised their own power over our continent today appear to worry for our sovereignty. Their concerns fail to conceal their true motives. Some would argue that loss of influence is the real worry of those who persist in seeing the continent through the prism of the past.
That being said, debt is calculated on the basis of an assessment of a nation’s wealth. Many have put ambitious policies in place in order to regulate the informal economy that has, until now, not contributed to income taxes. Djibouti’s true GDP is $6bn, with an informal economy estimated at $4bn. As such, debts are based on figures that do not represent the reality of our economies.
Regardless, many African nations are experiencing remarkable growth rates, with Rwanda at 8 per cent, Ethiopia at 11 per cent and Côte d’Ivoire at 7.2 per cent. Other countries on the continent will soon be in the same boat. On a practical level, this means that our nations are becoming richer, which ultimately strengthens their ability to pay off their debt.
The challenge is thus to ensure that such growth is sustainable and that Africa firmly integrates into the globalised world. To do so, the continent must prioritise addressing its infrastructure gap. New forecasts from the African Development Bank suggest that the continent’s infrastructure needs to equate to approximately $150bn a year, with a funding deficit in the region of $68bn to $108bn. These investments will benefit the entire planet by strengthening Africa’s role as a natural bridge between continents and accelerating international trade.
Who today is ready to invest in Africa? In Djibouti, we are not closing any doors and have made respect for our sovereignty our guiding principle. We have recently inaugurated some of the most modern ports in Africa, the continent’s first transnational electric train and a free zone that could become the largest on the continent. These developments must be seen for what they truly are: not opportunities missed but possibilities created.
Aboubaker Omar Hadi is chairman of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority
Zambian Author Dambisa Moyo’s Dead Aid argues that millions are actually poorer because of aid, unable to escape corruption and reduced, in the West’s eyes, to a childlike state of beggary. But for Siobhan Walsh, CEO of Ireland’s GOAL Global, aid is working if it is applied to its intended purpose. “We can’t say aid is not working at all, I have seen it when it changes the lives of youth to thrive,” she argues. Founded by John O’Shea, GOAL is devoted to assisting the poorest of the poor. It operates in refugee camps and places where people are fighting to survive, supporting vulnerable groups by helping them obtain shelter, food, health and emergency services. Capital’s Tesfaye Getnet sat down with Siobhan Walsh to learn more about Goal’s work in Ethiopia, the challenges of refugees and the best methods to get results from aid. Siobhan Walsh has worked in relief and development in the fields of strategy development, business development and marketing, and has added value to a diverse range of businesses before she joined GOAL Global. Excerpts;
Capital: What does GOAL do globally and in Ethiopia? Siobhan Walsh: We have been here since 1984 and are working in many different sectors. The core sectors we work on: water, shelter; are emergency services we provide. We also work with refugees and internally displaced people; helping them with food, non-food items, health, food security and livelihoods. To do this job we get money from USAID, Irish Aid, UNOCHA, UK and ECHO but we also have a lot of funding from private foundations and from the public. In Ireland, we depend on the Irish people to support Goal’s work. We have a diversity of funds. In Ethiopia we work in Gambela, Afar, Oromia, west Gedio, Addis Ababa and Hawassa. Capital: What are Goal’s strategic plans for the next five years? Walsh: We are known for our work. We respond well to people who are suffering in times of crisis and we will continue that. We also want to focus on youth. In the countries we working in they talk about changing youth and how young people are the future of every country and in many contexts they are also the most vulnerable and we need to assist them. We need to work on food, livelihood, health and nutrition since they are the core areas of Goal and over the next three years we will continue to do that with direct delivery and through partnership with another organization. Capital: Overlapping work is a major challenge in many NGOs. How are you working to avoid such problems? Walsh: That is not unique to Ethiopia and to be honest a lot work has to be done with coordination. The UN also has to play a role with that and the government in terms of conversations about whose is what and who should do what where and I think all the NGOs should work on this issue. We need a constant conversation with the UN and other stakeholders to avoid overlapping work. Capital: The overall context of the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia is complicated due to the IDP crisis and refugees in the middle of the already existing natural shocks and stresses that have resulted from droughts, floods and food insecurity. As an Irish organization, how does your group contribute to alleviate human suffering during this crisis period without compromising the long-term recovery and development programs?
Siobhan Walsh (Photo: Anteneh Aklilu)
Walsh: I think Goal takes what I would call a pragmatic approach for example with the influx of refugees from Eretria in the north east. Goal will assess the situation and see what is needed because if you have the influx of refugees, it impacts the local communities. Working with the local government to agree on that what we have done is food and water. Yesterday I was sitting with a lot mothers who were attending a session on health, education and nutrition, they are malnourished as are their children, so it is not just dealing with the issue of the malnourished child but is the longer term it is about food and it is about how you keep your child healthy. We also working on shelter because shelter is big issue and a big problem and we are doing that in consultation with the government locally. We are also sending outreach workers into the community to ensure that local people are also identified.
Actually the last few days have been really exciting. We got the chance to meet with the Irish PM. In fact, all the Irish NGOs met with him and we talked about what each of the agencies were doing. The PM is actually is a young guy and he met with the Ethiopian PM, another young leader and they talked about a unique partnership between the two countries. They are lots of things in common between these countries’ cultures and people. They announced a tourism partnership between them. Our PM also went to Lalibela. For me it was exciting because there is a deepening of partnership between both leaders and both countries. The message we gave to our PM is to continue supporting and investing in Ethiopia because our evidence over the year is that investment in development is working and we need to continue that sustained support and we need to make sure that the government is committed. The Irish government has very bold strategy for 2025 to do more development work and by coming here in Ethiopia he was deepening that commitment. Capital: What is the biggest concern of refugees across the world? Walsh: Refugees are a reality of every country. Most refugees want to return home. I know a certain situation in Syria. If you come to Ireland and talk to them they will tell you they want to go back home and they want peace. I actually think the Ethiopian government has also demonstrated a lot of courage and leadership by having an open door policy towards refugees because they have over 800,000 refugees and that shows tremendous leadership as a country to be so accepting of people in real need. There is no easy answer for this question. Countries and leaders and governments across the world are dealing with migration. This will change countries in the future so it is an ongoing conversation across the world. Capital: Some time ago you faced a financial deficit because you spent more than you received from donors. What are you doing now to maintain a healthy balance? Walsh: Our budget for this year is over USD 100 million. Every year our budget depends on how many emergencies we respond to. There is a plan for each country. For example, Goal Ethiopia’s budget is USD 12 million and with this plan on our table we will go to our donors and ask to partner with us. We are also working with the public and corporate services to raise more money. Capital: What are the current challenges of international NGOs? Walsh: The ever changing context in which we work. Conflict areas are the big concern for us. Places like Syria with protracted crisis. Making sure we have sustained commitment and other challenges like trying to build capacity and trying to find key partners, migration and climate change are shaping NGOs. Capital: In the past there was a scandal at Goal Global with staff corruption in procurement. How you are working now to have a smart internal controlling system? Walsh: You are going back three years now which is before I came to the organization. I have spent some 20 years in the sector from the outside. I can tell you my opinion when I look at the organization now, the strengthening systems of Goal are very strong. To be honest with you, many other organizations have come to asked to look at the Goal system which to me is a testament to the strength of how Goal manages and operates. The workers are very tight and the field team sometimes complains about how tight they are but that is for a good reason. For me coming into the organization as a new CEO I am very confident that the organization has good transparency, accountability and my responsibility is to make sure our good work is sustaining and to make sure of our accountability to the people and donors we work with. Capital: There is a quote saying: “give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day: teach a man how to fish and you will feed him for a life time.” Many people say that aid organisations operating in Africa just give a fish for a day. What is your point of view regarding this issue? Walsh: There is a lot of argument about Aid but what I would say is if aid is delivered effectively and it’s how it is done is very important. You can have people coming to places where they decided they are going to for example a water point in particular spot and they come there to live of course there is no ownership and there is no engagement with the people and government coming and saying that this is the best place to do it for me that is not effective. However, if aid is addressing a problem and if it is done in consultation with communities or with local organizations for me that is the most effective way. We have seen in these and in many other countries how aid can help and not just to survive but thrive. If you work on the longer term problem and the root causes sustain what you are doing you absolutely can transform people’s lives. There is an argument about aid not working but I have seen that aid is working if it is done properly and in a sustainable way. Capital: What would you say to the people in this country and elsewhere who are busy stoking fears about refugees? Walsh: It is understandable that there is a creation of fear about how it will change culture and shift society when you have big influx of refugees into your country. Even in Europe there is a lot of debate about how refugees will change culture and identity. If you look at the US, it is a melting pot of every nationality across the world and you see the strength of diversity and you see the creation of business and how it is good for the economy in the longer term. So for me there is not just one answer to this question.
The Addis Ababa City Administration held a farewell ceremony for participants in the 6th edition of the Journey to Adwa. They will be part of a team walking to the historic city of Adwa in Tigray to commemorate the legends who defeated the Italian colonizers.
At the event held on January 14 at the Addis Ababa City Administration, Takele Umma Banti, Deputy Mayor told the team that they are today’s Tayitu Bitul, Alula Abanega, Balcha Abanefso and the legends which kept this nation with its dignity. He also mentioned that Adwa is the foundation for our morals and love to the country. He applauded the effect of the victory and said it should set an example for us.
“We Ethiopians won the battle and we the current generation have an easier fight compared to our father’s life sacrifice,” said Takele. “Our fathers won the battle not because they had better arms but because they could agree on the fact that they have one common enemy, and we have to do the same now.”
Dire Dawa City Mayor, Ibrahim Osman Farah, surprised the crowd with his appearance. He thanked the people of Harar for showing their love and support for the team which began its walk from Dire Dawa and Harar.
Departing on December 31 From the Dire, the “Dire Dawa Warriors” joined the “Addis Ababa Warriors” on January 12, 2019.
The city administration also said that there would be a festival representing the victory of Adwa which is going to attract the eyes of the world and give it the pride it deserves.
The group started its official journey on Monday, and it is expected to arrive in Adwa Town on March 2, after completing the 1,000-kilometre walking path from Addis Ababa to Adwa town.
