The eminence ll January 2016

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

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The Eminence Jan Issue 15

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

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CONTENTS

Ethiopia 3600 Tasting Japan in Addis: Rising International Cuisines

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Advertorial: Responsibility in the Mountain Village

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Swanky at Gatsby

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A Peak Out Menilik’s Window

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Interview Expanding into the African Air Exclusive Interview with Afzal Parambil New Emirates General Manager

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Commentary Great Ethiopian Run 2015

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Art

Falling for Addis Dear Ethiopia

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Gabilution

埃塞俄比亚旗帜节的故事 Tasting Japan in Addis

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Behind the Spectacle Thousand Words

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Society Creating Magic with Circus

Street Fashion

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Historical Roots of the Ethiopian Calendar 4

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27 The Mysterious Book of Enoch 28 Selam Festival 30 Merxy Teff Testing Kitchen

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The Eminence Jan Issue 15

Managing Editor Tsewaye Muluneh tmuluneh@eminence-se.com Editor-in- Chief Haewon Asfaw hasfaw@eminence-se.com Bole s.c Woreda 03 H. No 129

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s the western Christmas passes, Ethiopia is getting ready to celebrate its own Christmas holiday according to its calendar.

The traditions are changing in Addis and in major cities it has become common to see Christmas trees in houses and ornaments and stockings hanging in shops. Somewhere in Addis there is also an opportunity to take a picture with the tallest Christmas tree in the city.

This leaves us wondering what are the real Ethiopian traditions? What are the rituals authentic to our culture?

Though Christmas in the west has become to signify the value of mass consumerism and excessiveness, to our credit Ethiopians have tried to keep certain traditions sacred and away from the grubby hands of capitalism. In many families during Christmas time they eat the holiday meal together on one plate. This old tradition of eating together is at the epicenter of Ethiopian tradition symbolizing the communal way of living. One of the other customs include playing Gena Chewata, a sport that is very similar to hockey but played on grass. It’s a friendly holiday game that really sets the mood of the season.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief Hanna Haile hhaile@eminence-se.com Kirkos s.c Woreda 08 H. No 809 Reporter Henok Solomon hsolomon@eminence-se.com Contributing Editors Frehiwot Gebrewold fgebrewold@eminence-se.com

Editorial

The Eminence Magazine is published by Eminence plc.

It is registered by the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority Registration No 207/2004.

Eminence PLC. is registered by the Ministry of Trade Business License No MT/AA/2/0001892/2004.

December 2015 ISSUE No 15

Other traditional Ethiopian holidays include going to the farm to slaughter a lamb and helping your grandma make dulet, key wot and doro wot. It is a full on meat and butter diet, a treat that could result in serious food coma.

Mandarin Editor Jiaqi Xie Contributors Ethiopia Tourism Organization James Fay

Yes, Ethiopian holidays in a lot of ways are all about indulgence. It is about indulging in all of the best cuisine Ethiopia has to offer; catching up with extended family and a lot of stress for the women who spend the holiday trying to feed the entire family.

Graphics and Layout Design Flore Leclerc Atnafu Yilma Website Administrator Samson Tegegn

Holiday stress manifests itself in different forms for different people.

In many households the women might be stressing to provide the feast for the family while others might be having a hard time connecting with family.

Cover Picture Thomas Kidane Maasho Photographer Sentayehu Bekele Sbekele@eminence-se.com

This is the Eminence wishing that you all take care of one another on this holiday. Remember to be with those you love, to reflect on the things you are most grateful for and of course not to eat too much!

Let’s keep the holiday spirit close of giving and spending time with one another.

Gonzalo Guajardo gguajardo@eminence-se.com Sales and Marketing Manager Chachi Tadesse

Finance and Administration Tizita Paulos

Happy Holidays!

Distribution Tariku Tessema Editorial Address Editorial Address: Editorial Address Tel. +251-118-678-187 Tel. +251- 116-189-591 Mob. +251-939-858-724

+251- 118-961-791

P.O Box 794 code 1110 contact@eminence-se.com P.O.BOX 794 code 1110 social@eminence-se.com contact@eminence-se.com Web:www.theeminencemagazine.com social@eminence-se.com www.eminencemagazine.com Web: www.eminence-se.com Boles.c Namibia Street, Behind Edna Mall, Adika Bldg 5th Bole s.c Woreda 03 H.No 085 Cape Verde Street, off Floor Africa Avenue in front This edition is printed at Central PPof Kirkos Subcity, Woreda 03 H.No 414 Sidama Lodge.

Addis Ababa, ThisEthiopia. edition is printed at Central PP

Kirkos Subcity, Woreda 03 H.No 414 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

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Voa News

MONTHLY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Ethiopian Airlines dispatching first-ever all female crew flight November 18, 2015

Ethiopian commences flights to Durban December 16, 2015

Ethiopian Airlines dispatched its first-ever flight operated by an all-female crew. The airline says it wants to promote women’s empowerment and encourage

Free Trade Zone Agreement between Ethiopia and Sudan November 24, 2015

trachomacoalition.org

sudantribune.com

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest and most profitable airline in Africa, has commenced new services to Durban on December 16, 2015, which is the 3rd destination in South Africa after Johannesburg and Cape Town. Durban is the second largest metropolitan city and manufacturing hub in South Africa.

Ethiopia Awarded Exotic Tourist Destination of 2015 November 23, 2015 Ethiopia has been named the top travel destination of 2015 by the Russian Branch of the National Geographic Traveler magazine at a ceremony held in Moscow. Readers and viewers voted online for their specific destination choice.

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Ethiopia and Kenya have today launched crossborder integrated program for sustainable peace and socio-economic transformation. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the official launching of the program. The program will boost the trade, investment and tourism benefits of both countries, it was noted.

Credit: Gonzalo Guarjardo

Ethiopian News Agency

Ethiopia and Sudan approved an agreement to establish a free trade zone between the two countries in a bid to strengthen economic ties, generate investment opportunities and satisfy mutual interests. they plan to link borders between the two countries with railways and both have signed cooperation agreements on trade, investment, energy, security and other social aspects.

Ethiopia, Kenya begin cross-border integrated dev’t program December 7, 2015

Congratulations to the people of Sidama for the inscription of Fichee Chambalalla on UNESCO’s representative list of intangible cultural heritages of humanity!

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

EVENTS JANUARY Burns Night Celebration Burns Night Celebration (a UK Embassy Ball) is a commemoration of poet Robert Burns, but also a celebration of Scottish Culture. This year the event will be held at Hilton Hotel as a black tie charity event with tickets being sold inside the Hilton at 1700 ETB. The event would have entertainment from Brattle& Brogue from Scotland and some others. Proceeds go to MCMDO.org.

Selam Festival Addis 2016 Addis Ababa is hosting its 5th edition of Selam Festival! This Music event will bring national, regional and international artists from a range of countries for outdoor live concerts, bazaar with merchandise, food, family activities, DJs, and cultural forums and workshops.

independant.co.uk

Foreign Movie Night January 20 at 6 pm If you are in the mood to watch a foreign film, then drop by Goethe Institute for the screening of Wings of Desire (Der Himmel Uber in German) by director Wim Wenders. It is a fantasy Franco-German film from 1987. The film will be displaying English subtitles.

Ethiopia celebrates Timket, Epiphany.

Ethiopia celebrates Timket, Epiphany on January 19th. This event commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ on the River Jordan.

Timket is a UNESCO registered, festive and colorful event hosted all over Ethiopia.

‘Reflection’ art exhibition opened ‘Reflection’ art exhibition opened on December 19th andis portraying the artworks of Yoseph Seboka, Kidane Getaw, and Natnael Ashebir. It is will be on display until January 19that Taza Art Gallery.

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

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Ethiopia 3600: Facilities and Accommodations

Tasting Japan in Addis Rising International Cuisines There is a place in Addis Ababa where you can get your Japanese and Thai fix. Four Seasons originally opened in Haya Hulet Mazoria, before moving to Bisrate Gabriel earlier this year. As the Ethiopian tourism sector grows, international travelers, business people and expats are making their way into the country, expanding the international cuisines that are being served up!

By Haewon Asfaw Eminence Staff

“Let’s get some sushi,” said my cousin. I looked out the window of the house, just to make sure we were still in Kotebe.

“Sushi?” I asked, “The Japanese opened a restaurant out here?”

“No, the owner is actually Pakistani.” He corrected me as if the words coming out of his mouth weren’t at all confusing.

“They serve Thai food too,” he adds casually.

Thomas Kidane Maasho

I sat there a little baffled, trying to wrap my head around the thought of a Pakistani chef serving up sushi rolls and Thai curries in the middle of Addis Ababa. This may be hard to imagine, but it is true. Past all the hustle and bustle of Bisrate Gabriel, down the newly built road to Kore, is Four Seasons Restaurant, where owner Abdul Hameed is serving up Japanese and Thai cuisines.

Soy sauce is not traditionally poured on top of Japanese food because of its overpowering flavor, so instead it is typically brought out in a teapot and put into individual saucers for diners.

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In a city bursting with new restaurants that seem to open daily, eateries need to be pretty crafty to come up with a truly original concept. In 2010, Hameed came to Ethiopia, not with the intention of opening a restaurant, but in search of products he could export from Pakistan.

When he looked around at the landscape of Addis, he noticed that outside of the Korean Restaurant, Asian food virtually did not exist in the country. Unable to find Japanese cuisine anywhere, he decided to create a market for it.

“Addis has more international clients than any other country in Africa,” says

Hameed, “In a city with a large number of NGOs, tourists and diplomatic commissions, I felt there should be a place where people could find Japanese food.”

After finishing culinary studies at the Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, Hameed was placed at a 5 star hotel where he spent 10 years working with a Japanese chef. With his experience in hand and a leap of faith, Hameed decided to uproot his life in Pakistan and move to Ethiopia with his wife and three children.

As you walk up the stairs of the new Four Seasons location, you approach what appears to be a traditional two-story Ethiopian home. Yet, upon entering the restaurant the yellow walls are decorated with traditional Japanese décor paper fans on bamboo frames, scrolls with calligraphy writing and framed photos of traditional Japanese sceneries. Paper lanterns reading “Zen” hung from the ceiling, while folk-like Japanese instrumentals played. The inside of the restaurant has a capacity to seat 54 people and has a staff of 25 who are all hired locally and trained by Hameed.

We were seated by the outdoor balcony, so the big windows let in an abundance of light. The table place setting included a wooden paneled mat, a spread of utensils and chopsticks in Four Seasons packaging that rest on a black stand. A mandatory start to our meal included hot towels for guests to clean their hands.

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

Thomas Kidane Maasho

The indoor dining area of Four Seasons with windows that stretch from floor to ceiling to let in an abundance of light and an ambiance set up to give customers an intimate and calm dining experience.

This common Japanese custom was followed with a complimentary serving of freshly sliced carrots and cucumbers accompanied with a honey sesame and red chili dipping sauces. This is a house-made treat that Hamid considers his specialty, and has even been encouraged to bottle his recipe to sell.

The waiter shared that the most popular Japanese dishes included the California Roll, Dragon Roll with Fried Prawns and the Salmon Avocado Roll; so that is where our meal began. The sushi came out with a side of ginger, wasabi and soy sauce brought out in a teapot served in little saucers for each diner.

Other dishes worth trying include agedashi, which is deep fried golden tofu swimming in a deliciously light and refreshing broth made up of dashi, rice vinegar and soy sauce. There is also moist teriyaki chicken, a delicious vegetable stir fry made up of fresh vegetables, and teppanyaki which is tender cuts of beef cooked on an iron griddle and drenched in sweet teriyaki sauce. The dishes were accompanied with sticky garlic rice.

Hameed was the mastermind behind the Four Seasons menu, intending to create a set of options that really encompassed the best signature dishes of Japan. After some time, he began to realize that outside those who were well traveled or lived abroad, the Ethiopian palate did not go well with the Japanese taste, prompting him to add Thai options to the menu.

“In our Thai section the Pad Thai, curries and spring rolls are top of the top,” expresses Hameed, “People will just call us and say we are coming, save us lots of spring rolls.”

Jonathan Demisie, a first time Ethiopian diner at Four Seasons, tried a variety of dishes, but said his favorite was the green Thai curry. The vibrantly fragrant creamy dish was filled with sweet coconut milk, fresh vegetables, Thai basil and chicken.

Pad Thai is one of the more popular dishes Four Seasons. It is nice and spicy, but also fresh and light served with chili, carrots, chicken and a side of cabbage and peanuts. (Bottom) The Dragon sushi roll at Four Seasons is made of rice, cucumber, fried prawns and pickled radish wrapped in seaweed.

(Top)

Thomas Kidane Maasho

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

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Ethiopia 3600: Facilities and Accommodations

Thomas Kidane Maasho

The outdoor dining area of Four Seasons, where Indian and Pakistani food, barbecue and Jebena buna are served. The seating area overlooks a large garden where Hameed plans to grow different herbs and vegetables for his menu.

“I thought the taste was subtle, yet very distinctive,” Jonathan shared, “It has a good combination of flavors.” He typically does not eat foreign foods, but said he would go back to try other dishes because the food was good and it gave him the experience of being in a different country.

The main challenge Hameed faces in running an Asian restaurant in Ethiopia is the constant need for foreign ingredients. “It is not easy serving sushi in Africa let alone a landlocked country,” admits Hameed. In his experience, people do not usually trust eating raw fish, so Hameed opts for frozen or processed seafood products such as smoked salmon, which he shares he can get easily here. He gets his prawns from an Ethiopian supplier importing from Tanzania.

Though he gets some items locally, Asian food still requires many ingredients from abroad. “It is difficult to import and go through the bureaucracy,” he shares. Every two to three months he has to take a trip to Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand or make special arrangements to get the ingredients he needs for his menu. The primary ingredients being imported include rice, seaweed, wasabi, and different Asian herbs like lemon grass, lime leaves and curries.

Hameed insists that what separates Four Seasons from other 10

places serving Japanese food is that their menu is completely dedicated to it.

“We serve sushi all week and you don’t have to wait for that one day to come,” emphasizes Hameed. When asked what his favorite dish was on his menu, he smiles unable to choose just one and replies, “Almost everything.”

As a country declared the Top Tourist Destination of 2015 by the European Council on Tourism and Trade with doubledigit economy that continues to rapidly expand, Hameed believes that things will continue to grow. “The international community is increasing day by day with people coming for business and tourism,” shares Hameed, “Four Seasons is giving people a place where they can get their sushi and Asian cravings filled in Addis and not have to travel home or to a European or Asian country.”

So far Four Seasons has been serving Japanese and Thai food, but now they have started preparing Indian and Pakistani food with BBQ in their outdoor garden throughout the day.

Hameed says he is happy and loving what he is doing. “You can’t do cooking or especially good cooking if you don’t have a passion or do it with your heart” The Eminence Jan Issue 15

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Advertorial

Responsibility in the Mountain Village It was a volcano 25-45 million years ago, erupting with outpouring lava and centuries of erosionthat created what is now the land 2000 meters steep called the Simien Mountains.

This dramatic landscape with the highest peak in Ethiopia called RasDejen (Dashen) is found in Northern Ethiopia. As you stand on one of the peaks, you can feel the wind pass you by, touching your cheeks and making it feel as if bliss is getting closer. This scene is indescribable through words or pictures.

that hosts activities in the village where tourists who are visiting the Simien Mountains can participate in the local culture and lifestyle. SIMCOT-CA’s groundbreaking work involves training the community to utilize their lifestyle, culture, history and heritage as tourist attractions in order to improve their livelihood. This contributes to conserving and maintaining the integrity of the only natural World Heritage Site in the country.

Mountains National Park you are presented with the unique opportunity to be directly involved in contributing to communities and world heritage site preservation. Have you wanted to travel with intention and responsibility to places you visit? This is that exact opportunity that you are waiting for! Imagine being able to help local communities from Argin-Jona Kebele who live by the side of the national park, make a living.

The Simien Mountains National Park was one of the first sites to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. But, in 1996 it was added to the listof Heritage Sites in danger, becoming one of the 13 natural sites in Africa on the list. The park is the home of endemic animals like Walia Ibex, Gelada Baboon and the Ethiopian wolves, unique plants and birds, all of which use the mountains as their place of refuge.

This is where the idea of Community Tourism came about. “Because of the lack of alternative livelihood, the local communities depend on resources in the park,” explains Berhanu Gebre, Executive Director of SIMCOT-CA, “This has caused deterioration of the area.” This birthed community-based tourism, which is a form of tourism that highlights communities by training local residents to develop and manage tours.

Give yourself over to a farmer who will guide you on a tour of the village. From there, they can take you to a woman who is waiting to teach you how to make Injera, our Ethiopian flat pancake which is a necessity to every meal.You can also try to follow her lead, but don’t get discouraged if it is not a perfect circle. That part is harder than it looks!

In this breathtaking sight you find the Simien Mountains Community Tourism Charity Association (SIMCOT-CA), an organization

When coming as a tourist to the Simien

What if I also tell you that when you finish visiting the mountains there is woman around the corner waiting in her hut to show you how to make Ethiopian-style coffee? But, what the villagers are offering is beyond just a coffee ceremony. They are providing an exchange of culture, an opportunity for tourists to visit the home of an Ethiopian farmer. Spend time with the woman brewing coffee, while learning about how she and her family live their lives.

During this trip you can also visit and learn how to weave the Netela and Gabi (indigenous blankets and scarfs), through the guidance of a native from the community. This traditional way of weaving, has been handed down from generation to generation, and now you could get an opportunity to learn this Ethiopian trade from the people of Argin and Ambaras.

Ethiopians also have aunique way of braiding hair with a specialty in every region. The women braiding hair will share with you the meaning behind different hairstyles. They will show how

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The Eminence Jan Issue 15

Simien Mountains Community Tourism Charity Association

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You can Contact them through: Debark Office: EWCA Park office, Debark Ethiopia to braid and will even demonstrate on your hair if you are interested. This has been the traditional method of bonding between mothers and daughters for thousands of years.

If you are interested in learning with the local blacksmith of the village, you would be given the opportunity to sit with him to learn. You can witness this local ironman make farming tools and other materials like knives by forging iron or steel together.

You can walk into a home where a local woman will show you how to make Tella/ Coreffe (local beer). It is common to have these drinks among friends and people who visit an Ethiopian home. In the end you can stay for a cup among your new friends.

This tour is on the offsite path. You will see what others haven’t seen; walk on a path less traveled of this astonishing landscape. The SIMCOT-CA, partnered with local community,offers not just activities, but genuine interactions that would give a traveler insight of Ethiopian village life.Contributing to community sustainability while creating memories for a lifetime!

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

P.O.Box: SIMCOT51, Tel: +251-588-170-014, Fax: +251-581-170-870

Website: DiscoverSimien.com Like our Facebook page: Discover Simien Email: berhanug2003@yahoo.com You can also contribute through: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Debark Branch Account Number: 1000136128632 Swift Code: CBETETAA Account Name: Simien Mountains Community Tourism Charity Association

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Ethiopia 3600: Facilities and Accommodations

Swanky at Gatsby The roaring 20s is making its way to Addis Ababa nightlife, with the newly opened Gatsby Lounge. A time representing the era of ladies and gentlemen, economic boom and cultural artistic growth, this lounge is bringing the vibe of the golden 20s to the 21st century of Ethiopia.

By Hanna Haile Eminence Staff

“The era of ladies and gentleman” is the motto of the Gatsby Lounge in Bel Amour building near Millennium Hall. This new lounge officially waltzed its way into the nightlife scene of Addis on December 12th, 2015.FassilGebretsadik, Ethiopian owner from Shashamane, opened this facility inspired by the Roaring Twenties of glitz and glamour. He believes the thriving Ethiopian economy resembles that of the United States in the 1920s. With Ethiopia’s booming economy being deemed one of the fastest growing in the world, the capital’s night life is experiencing growth with the Gatsby Lounge as the new addition to the mix.

Walking up the Bel Amour building to the second floor, velvet drapes lead you into the realm of the 1920s. You enter into a corridor that sets the mood as to what is waiting ahead. Golden walls of the walkway felt complete with a dark Baroque style mirror hanging on the wall and a table with a joker mask painted gold setting an ambiance of fun and glamour.

Just a few steps ahead is the main lounging area. Upon entering, the first thing you see is a black and white snap shot of a group of Ethiopians decked out in 1920s style. It almost feels as if one is intruding on a private moment among close friends. Their infectious smiles and the still shot holds a promise of a good time. The space itself is not big or lavish as to one would expect the 1920s ambiance to look like. But the space is well utilized, tactfully partitioning the lounge into four different sections.

The left side of the room is lined with yellow and blue sofas decorated with checkered pillows that are accompanied by golden tables all made locally. The center of the room has high wooden chairs and is 14

Aida Muluneh

Gatsby stands out from the array of new spots emerging in the city from a theme unique to Ethiopia. Fassil points out that he not only named the place Gatsby to capture the term “cool and spunky” but also draws inspiration from the film The Great Gatsby. “What makes us different is that the consistent delivery of the concept,” remarks Fassil.

CAPITAL

The bar area of Gatsby where you can drink in your hands while the lights set the mood. (Top) Lounging area where one can enjoy a conversation while drinking from a selection of whisky.

(Bottom)

credit;enjoy Aida Muluneh a cold

separated from the bar area with black string curtains. The golden bar stretches across the whole right side of the room and the wall behind it is decorated in spirals with a lighting system to adjust the mood.

The vision of the lounge was a concept developed by Assegid Gessese of Y and G Communications who has worked for 15-20 years in the business of communications. It took six months to create the vision, execute the plan and open the facility. This themed lounge is special in the way it carries out the concept throughout the lounge-- from its name to the ambiance and décor.

With the direction of Assegid, the lounge tries to embody the 1920s with its patterns and décor, but it is the photos hanging around the lounge that take the Gatsby theme the extra mile. These striking photos capture moments of bliss, laughter and portraits of models in flapper dresses. The images were taken by young photographer Mekbib Tadesse The Eminence Jan Issue 15

and are found throughout the lounge. The photo shoot was set up with Ethiopian models styled by Yohannes Sisters Fashion House. Lavish women wear heavy lipsticks and are draped in sparkles and feathers, while the men in the pictures are dressed in fitted suits holding cigars. Assegid states that these images are placed all over the lounge to help project images of the era, but with Ethiopian faces to bring roaring twenties to Addis.

These black and white photos are the highlight of the lounge giving it extra pizzazz.

On the opening of Gatsby, it was as if the staff of the lounge had jumped out of the pictures and into the scene. The waitresses dressed in matching gold sparkling dresses with white pearls draped around their necks and deep red lipstick on. They roamed the room taking orders.

L SPA

Behind the 50 meter bar was the bartender, Temesgen Tesfaye, stood slick with his tilted fedora hat, vest with cuffed trousers and white socks that matched his black shoes. He recalls, “From the soft openings of Gatsby the drinks most sold at the lounge are Johnny Walker Black Label as well as Smirnoff Vodka, while cocktails like Mojitos, Cosmopolitans, Long Island Ice teas and Sex on the Beach were among the popular choices.” On the opening of the lounge, beer and bottle service were the only available options.

But Fassil’s vision is for drinks of a wide variety to be served at the lounge. He shares his deep passion for wine and whiskey. Which is why Gatsby Lounge prides itself on the selections of whiskeys & bourbons, like Becherovka, Hennessy, Courvoisier, Glen Silver and other varieties ondisplay. Fassil states that his favorite part of the lounge is the bar because it is stacked with such diversity, but also adheres to his vision of what he hopes this is the reputation his lounge will build.

credit; Aida Muluneh

There is limited food like burgers, meatballs and tibs in the facility. This lounge operates with six staff including a bartender, DJ, waitresses and one chef. But, the Gatsby says it is willing to open its kitchen to visiting when a private event is hosted.

Aida Muluneh

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

With the DJ playing a mix of eras, Merav Hazan, a tourist from Israel shared she loved the jazz influenced music streaming throughout the lounge. She also mentioned the lighting to be her favorite feature of the design.

Throughout the room, conversations were brewing and glasses were clicking, making itthe start of a good night.

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Ethiopia 3600: Travel and Culture

A Peak Out MENELIK Menelik’s Window Blistering cold while the sun is shining bright; a wind attempting to wipe you out on the ground; sheep keeper kids with their handmade hats looking at you like you are a strange creature. These are the surroundings of Tarma Ber, a town located just 160 kilometers from Addis Ababa and nearly 40 kilometers from Debre Birhan in the Amhara region.

By Henok Solomon Eminence Staff

I

t was 7 o’clock in the morning when The Eminence began the trip from Addis Ababa to Tarma Ber. When traveling to the area, wearing thick jackets, scarves, gloves and winter hats for the cold is a necessity. If you are from Addis this may be a bit confusing because one might not expect such a huge weather change just 160 kms away from the capital city. But despite this, one gets the sense that they are escaping Addis as the view out the window transforms from buildings and crowded lines to green farms and mountain views in the distance. Humid and polluted air changes to clean and crisp wind that dominates the skies.

After an hour and a half of driving, the first town you arrive in is Debre Birhan. This is where travelers typically choose to grab breakfast or have a lunch

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break, since it is the biggest town you pass along your way. This makes it easy to find hotels, food and other services in the area. Debre Birhan was founded

by Emperor Zara Yakob in 1456. It is located120 km North East of Addis Ababa on the paved high way to Dessie. The town was once the capital of Ethiopia and today it is the administrative center of the Simien Shewa zone of the Amhara region.

After a break in Debre Birhan, the trip continued to Tarma Ber. While traveling the last 42 kms to our destination, we were engulfed in the true definition of Ethiopia’s diverse landscapes and nature. On both sides of the road are huge farmlands covered mostly with barley and Teff, before arriving in Tarma Ber, which is an area known for its abundance of gelada baboons.

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

WINDOW

The altitude of the town is located 3324 meters above sea level.

This area is known for its breathtaking landscapes including Menelik’s Window because is said that Menelik II founded this area that oversees a majestic panoramic view. It is an area of treacherous vertical cliffs covered with green bushes and trees.

The Eminence tried referring to The Ministry of Culture and Tourism about the historic background of this place, but no written or oral documentation is on record. But legend states that before Menelik II took his throne in 1889 he used the area as his hiding place fearful to lose his life by the regime that was ruling at the time. It is also said by locals of the area that Menelik II used to kill enemies and those who went against his orders by throwing them over the mountain. Even to this day, locals say that a sick animal is disposed in the same fashion of being pushed over the cliff to his death below.

This particular place is also a natural bridge from south to north, and without it constructing the road to Dessie would be nearly impossible.

The windy hills make the weather in the area freezing. The sheep keeper kids defend themselves from the cold with their handmade hats and traditional Ethiopian cloth called debelo.

Some sell the handmade hats around the entrance of Menelik’s Window for the visitors. Standing at the top, one witnesses chains of mountains with beautiful surrounding greenery, overwhelmed with high pressured winds.

Henok Solomon

Professor Taye is a lecturer at the Civil Service College in Addis Ababa who was born and raised around Tarma Ber. “I know this place existed in this area for a long time,” he states, “I am always excited about the area, but it is not kept properly and visitors don’t get enough information about the place because there is nobody to provide it.”

These places have a lot of historic facts to be preserved. Historians and the government body can study the history and document it for the coming generation and the world who will come to visit the place and probably going to ask the back history. As a tourist destination, the area adds much value to the country’s tourism industry and it is a great destination to see.

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

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Interview: Afzal Parambil

“Looking at the economic growth, the population and the partnership for businesses, Ethiopia is definitely our strategic market...�

Emirates Country Manager for Ethiopia.

Sentayehu Bekele

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The Eminence Jan Issue 15

Sintayehu Bekele

Afzal Parambil

Expanding into the African Air Afzal Parambil is the new Emirates Country Manager for Ethiopia. He his BA in Economics and later an MBA from the University of Bolton in the UK. Though he has handled various regions, this is his first posting outside the United Arab Emirates. Before coming to Ethiopia, Mr. Parambil was based in Dubai with the Emirates Holiday division in the Middle East and African region. The Eminence reporter Henok Solomon sat with Mr. Parambil to discuss growing presence in Ethiopia and the continent, along with their plans for the African air.

Where were you posted before coming here, and how do you like your new post so far?

I started my work life with Emirates as a trainee and subsequently growing into different management roles in Emirates group. I have been with the Emirates group for the last 15 years. Before coming here I was based at the Head Office in Dubai. I also had an opportunity to look after Europe and other countries, which gave me the global perspective of the airline and tourism business. It is always good to experience at a country level where you will be able to see the business in total. That’s how I’ve been posted in Ethiopia. I have been to a lot of places and Africa is not a strange place for me, since I’ve been handling businesses related to Africa for the past 6 years. What attracted me the most is the weather to start with, you have an amazing weather.

Then I would also say that the economy is another factor which is really growing and makes every business entertaining. Safety and security come after that.

In terms of its drive in expanding into the African market, how strategic is its Addis Ababa station for The Emirates?

We have started our first flight to Addis in March 2006, so we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary in a couple of months.

We started with 3 flights connecting to Uganda, so there was not one independent flight to Ethiopia, it was a transit flight. That changed in 2012 as the business demand grew. So Addis Ababa becomes an independent route for us. We delinked Kampala and have become daily direct flights today. We operate at Air Bus 330 daily operation to Ethiopia carrying 300 passengers in average.

So you ask the question of how important and strategic is Ethiopia for us. East Africa in general is one of the first points we started operating: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.

We have double daily flights to Kenya and Tanzania. The same is true for Kampala and we have a daily flight to Addis Ababa.

Looking at the economic growth, the population and the partnership for businesses, Ethiopia is definitely our strategic market, so we can even develop it together with all other competitors.

For the first time Ethiopia is included in the airlines holiday guide. What does it mean for the country as a tourist destination?

As I told you my previous job was in the Emirates Holiday responsible for promoting leisure destination. In the past, Ethiopia has never been in our holiday guide book. Countries The Eminence Jan Issue 15

like Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa were the only countries available from Sub-Saharan Africa in the guide. For the first time Ethiopia is taking a page in the book and this guide book will go in every flight of Emirates. It is also available on every Emirates Station, which is 147, so this gives a massive exposure to the country. Why we do this is very simple, getting into this book by itself implies how much priority we give to the position of Ethiopia as a tourist destination. It is our responsibility to develop all segments of the market. We actually bring in a lot of customers from different parts of the UAE to come to Ethiopia and work. A lot of international hotels are being built in Addis Ababa so that encourages the foreign tourist. So moving forward we are quite sure that Ethiopia will be one of the leading leisure destinations for tourists.

As a destination how important is Addis Ababa for Emirates?

And where can it go from here?

As I said earlier, Ethiopia is a station where we started with a single daily flight and the path is a daily double flight and growing more based on the demand. Ethiopia is strategically very important for us. Today we connect Ethiopians, through Dubai to 147 destinations. In terms of connection we have a reasonable coverage. We have good business with Far East Europe and America because we also see a growth coming from all the regions; we cater to all the destinations. As we speak, we had 147 destinations in our network and the beauty of that is that we connect to most of those destinations from Ethiopia.

How is it doing in terms of profit?

Emirates’ business is profitable. In order for us to grow from a 3 flight per week to a daily flight it will only happen if the business is profitable and the business demand is growing.

Is there any plan to increase weekly flight frequency?

Emirates is smartly working on this. We constantly look for opportunities to grow; we constantly review our business model in terms of new opportunities, so we see a lot of new destinations adding. For example, in the last one year we added 7 new destinations to our network. That means 7 new destinations for Ethiopians to connect to and in USA ,which is one of our top destination from Ethiopia, we operate to 10 points. The last one was Orlando launched a couple of months back, so obviously you may see we are operating only a single flight. But, while growing our destination from Dubai to different destinations, customers get more choices of destinations. So as business grows, we review it and we will grow.

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Interview: Afzal Parambil

Some regional low cost carriers like Fly Dubai have joined the market. How difficult are they making things for you?

Emirates has a business model which has been successful and Dubai has a protocol for open sky policy; we encourage competition. Open sky policy means anybody can operate in Dubai and we also encourage international competition.

That is the business model which we are promoting. We are not reluctant to compete with others. There are certain unique propositions Emirates offers to its customers, which starts from the ground. When you go on board the first thing you see is all the staff in our planes are the national language speaker of the country. We have over 160 nationalities working in Dubai, for example in Ethiopia except for me everybody is Ethiopian. The other special thing we have is our entertainment. So for me the business model works its way and we try to improve our customer service and offering so that we can become competitive and successful in our business. Our focus is always customer service delivery. If your customer is always satisfied you will grow your business.

Does the airline have a plan to add another hub in addition to Dubai?

Not that I know of. Our hub is Dubai. As you know, geographically it is one of the most successful hubs. Dubai compliments Emirates and Emirates compliments Dubai.

I heard Emirates is going to be the airline with the longest uninterrupted flight, can you tell me about it?

Wow, that is exciting for me. Yes, we are launching the longest uninterrupted flight which is 17 hours and 35 minutes and it is going to be from Dubai to Panama City. We are launching it on early February 2016. That flight is already in the system so that will be the longest flight even for Boeing and it is 20

exciting.

What does your operational capacity look like?

Emirates has 249 operating aircrafts and it is the largest operator of Boeing 777 and the largest operator of Airbus380.

In all our Airbus380s we have three class configurations: economy class, business class and first class, making sure that all of our segments are looked after. The latest one launched very recently is with two class configurations with business class and economy. The economy class will be with 591 seats, again another new step for us.

There are talks of creating a super African airline with the merger of air lines like South African Air Lines, Kenya airways and Ethiopian, how do you think this will shape the competition for the African air, if it did come through?

Emirates always operated as an independent airline because our business model has been very successful. We do have certain partnerships, but as our business model we operate independently and we have no plans for an alliance.

Emirates is one of the gulf-based phenomenas in the air travel sector in the last couple of decades. What is the main reason behind this astronomical growth? Is it oil and other subsidies by the governments in these oil rich countries?

Emirates is geographically located in Dubai. That makes Emirates very unique in terms of connecting it to the world.

Its hub is in Dubai and with regard to the question of subsidy, it is just our business model that made us successful. As I said Dubai is also a hub connecting the world to different part of geographical scattered locations and of course our service to the public

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

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Arts: Lifestyle & Fashion Credit Ganzalo Guarjardo

GABiLUTION I

Ganzalo Guarjardo

By Hanna Haile Eminence Staff

The gabi has come a long way from being just a traditional blanket for adults or even from that sheet of clothing young lovers hide under while they lock lips. The cottonbased material is one of those traditional Ethiopian commodities that you find in all households.

Rich or poor, a family owns a gabi.

It is a necessity of the Ethiopian lifestyle.

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t is the melse of the eldest daughter’s wedding. She had married her college sweetheart. Surrounded by family and friends, they are handed presents to help them start a life as husband and wife. Among pots and pans, gift cards and juicers, the mother of the bride presents the last gift-- a gabi. She wraps her daughter in a typical white Tigrean gabi with small dark green crosses at the edges, and her new son- in-law in a much bigger white gabi with light blue and gold patterns weaved at the borders.

The mother tells them she hopes that these gabies will keep them warm in cold nights and that their marriage lasts a lifetime.

The gabi has stayed woven into the Ethiopian lifestyle for generations. Today, if one walks through the stores of the Shiro Meda, it is filled with traditional white gabies with standard designs at the edges. But the possibilities of what a gabi could be have taken a fashionable turn.

Gabies of many different sizes; gabies that have traded in the traditional white cloth for more vibrantly colorful options; and even skirts and shirts made in gabi material that walk around with you all day.

Abeba Asfaw Nerayo and Amelsa Yazew are the new faces of this inspired transformation of the gabi. Abeba started playing with design since she was just a young girl. She was the type of child who was never satisfied with the mundane and would always cut up the new clothes that were bought for her. Even after getting scorned by her mother, she would still sew a pocket here or remove a button there, hoping

to create something unique to wear.

Years later, after living in Virginia as a computer programmer with her husband and two kids, Abeba’s love for uniqueness led her to create gabies with a new flare after her return to Ethiopia.

Abeba introduced the traditional white gabies to colors as bright as rainbows, which she says is her signature creation.

“I did not create gabi,” Abeba quickly admits, “That has existed for hundreds of years, but I think I have to be the very first person to color them bright like that.”

All this happened 11 years ago. As her clientele grew, she opened a shop in Bole Medhanialem called Shemma Designs in 2009. Shemma Designs hosts original works of Abeba where you can find t-shirts, dresses, tunics and scarves designed with sleeves that Abeba lovingly calls cossy.

Ganzalo Guarjardo

Eager customers attend the grand opening of Little Gabies at Snap Plaza in Bole. Tunics and gabies hang along with other items such as ribbons and baby shoes.

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Sentay ehu Be

kele

Creations from Abeba’s collection at Shemma Designs include colored gabies, duvets and other things made of the soft cotton material

cultivated without fertilizer in Ethiopia to ensure safety of the gabi for children. But it is also definitely not the only thing being sold at the Little Gabies store at Snap Plaza in Bole. Amelsa has also created other baby related items like walking shoes, ribbons and other materials for mothers and women.

Even though a gabi is found in most Ethiopian households, many don’t realize they feel an emotional attachment towards it until you ask. It is then that one understands the gabi plays a big part in most important life events creating a sentimental relationship. A gabi goes beyond the practicality of the material.

Sentayeh

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Bek ele

“The only thing I inherited from my parents after they passed away was their gabi,” Abeba shares, “I didn’t know that I was so attached to it, but it gave me such comfort, especially my mother’s gabi.”

She also goes beyond clothing selling duvets, table cloths, gabies for children and virtually anything you can make with cotton. From all the items being sold in her shop, Abeba excitedly shares that her biggest seller is her multicolored double gabies that are patched together with thread or embroidery.

Amelsa’s journey into the gabi business also started as a personal one. When Amelsa had her first child Caleb, a blanket was a necessary item to care for him. Though she bought blankets from different parts of the world, she found that she always turned to the gabi to wrap her child in. Amelsa’s family experience took her on a path where she discovered that there might be a world market in need of gabies. Amelsa debut her product line, Little Gabies, by entering in a New York trade show called Play Time in 2013. This was where Amelsa found buyers to export. And now because of the high demand, Little Gabies opened a store just a month ago in Addis Ababa with infant and child sized gabies fashionably dominating the shelves.

Amelsa uses thread from Germany and cotton being The Eminence Jan Issue 15

Amelsa also understands the attachment that comes with a gabi because of her son. She works to create that same feeling with Little Gabies for the new generation of Ethiopians and children in different parts of the world.

The challenges when starting up were the same for both women. Among some that Amelsa and Abeba mentioned were the ways traditional weavers in the industry would work in comparison to the new spin they have on this old craft.

Amelsa used this challenge to train local weavers and provide a space for them to do their work. Abeba’s approach was to keep the weavers at the place they felt most comfortable, while giving them instructions and consistently checking on them. Despite this, Abeba admits that she hesitates taking orders from clients because sometimes she is afraid that the product might not turn out the way her clients envisioned.

“I know making everything traditionally takes a lot of time,” says Abeba, “I know that I will never satisfy the kind of market of Wal-Mart and Target and I am fine with that.” She has love for some of the traditional ways that she believes in perserving and is adamant about not creating a market that is mass-producing gabies.

Instead, she opts for people to own something of value that is handmade with care. “I want to keep this and grow slowly,” says Abeba with a voice of concern. Meanwhile, Amelsa declares that there is a market for gabies, but feels that the real future is in the material they are made from.

The gabi is truly a timeless material that Ethiopians are not eager to let go of. Abeba and Amelsa seem to be just getting started in creating a fashion trend that is continuing to transform something traditional into a lifestyle choice for the next generation

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Photo: Sentayehu Bekele Eminence Staff

Tihetina Taye Tutu’s Design Location: Wolo Sefer Inspiration: Her aunts who used to make wedding dresses around Piassa and her passion of design.

Interesting fact: Tihetina graduated at the top of her class at Cathedral Design School, but it was working for Menbi’s Design that inspired her to start her own business.

Design Featured: Casual and loose fitting top you can wear every day that is great for warm weather.

Tihetina’s message for rising designers:

Listen to yourself, chase your dream and devote yourself to it!

Model: Dukaye Amare

Credit: Hermias Meles Model Dukaye Amare

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The Eminence Jan Issue 15

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WHO WANTS WAFFLES, PANCAKES OR LASAGNE…? BTW THEY ARE MADE OF TEFF! Around the area commonly referred to as Bole Medhanialem, next to the MOENCO compound, is Merxy Teff Testing Kitchen, a new dining facility opened by Mihret Tadesse.

Mihret was first inspired to get involved with teff after hearing an interview of a foreigner talking about the super grain and how it is becoming a worldwide phenomenon that is spreading into the daily diets of celebrities. This was the driving force that motivated her to become fully involved in the teff business.

The super grain has attracted so much international attention for its nutritious health benefits, capacity to control blood sugar levels and mineral content like protein, calcium and iron.

Understanding this, Mihret felt teff had more potential than its traditional form and wanted to use innovative methods that were extraordinarily outside of the box.

After a year of brainstorming and working with experts, she started her business in April 2015, putting her self-created products on the market. To give more life and visibility to her vision, she opened Merxy Teff Testing Kitchen. It is a place that is nothing but unique: serving exclusively Teff-based international and local cuisines that gives Mihret the space to experiment with her ideas and recipes.

Merxy Teff Testing Kitchen is one of a kind because though it appears to be a restaurant, it is actually more of a testing kitchen to bring new ideas to the Ethiopian food industry.

With the capacity to accommodate 30 people, the kitchen is designed as an open space to show clients how Mihret’s food can be prepared and served. They are able to try some of her The Eminence Jan Issue 15

delicious recipes and go home with Merxy’s tasty products in the form of dry teff baking mix for preparing waffles and pancakes. The kitchen also provides catering services.

The food prepared is quite a treat! From French toast to pizza doe to lasagne, the kitchen is creating imaginative products that are putting a new spin on the possibilities of what teff can be.

A signature item worth trying is the waffles, which are savoury and delicious. The teff-based powder mix includes some secret ingredients imported from abroad to give the waffles a crunchy wafer taste that melts in your mouth. The Chechebsa is also like nothing you’ve ever tasted before; a bit of heaven in your mouth with every bite feeling like the first. Another item that has been attracting many customers is her pancake mix. It can be bought at markets across the city like Bambis, Shoa, Safeway and Novis in 250 and 450 gram packaging.

In addition to the obvious market base of foreigners, whose cuisines are prepared using Teff, Merxy is garnering a growing number of local customers and is also having their products served in restaurants. As of now, her samples have acquired global excitement, especially in Canada and America, and with FDA packaging approval it is now preparing to ship its goodies abroad. Merxy plans to establish an industrial unit with state of the art Swiss technology on the land acquired in Debre Birhan.

In taking an old ingredient to Ethiopia that has traditionally been served in just one way and fusing it with creative ideas and foreign recipes, Merxy Teff Testing Kitchen is taking teff to the next level, giving it new life

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Arts: Thousand Words

Behind the Spectacle Fekat Circus Practice Photo brought to you by Fekat

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The Eminence Jan Issue 15

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

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Arts: Art & Literature

The Mysterious Book of Enoch

Ancient scholars of Ethiopia not only preserved architectural heritages throughout the generations, but also its affluent literary works. The oldest literacy treasures serve as a witness to the country’s earliest civilizations. This made Ethiopia one of the resourceful countries owning historical and cultural manuscripts as well as antique tangible and intangible heritages. Aside from being part of the people’s identity these heritages are the results the golden achievements of scholars.

By Frehiwot Gebriwold Eminence Staff

B

ased on a study conducted by researchers, it is believed that there are nearly 250,000-500,000 parchment crafted books written in Geez and Arabic languages.

Most of these literacy heritages were taken by the British, French and Italians during the colonization period. Though many are now kept in museums and libraries, the rest are located in different Ethiopian monasteries, churches, mosques as well as palaces.

These literary works reflect ideas such as law, architecture, traditional medicine, leadership, ethics, religious and secular philosophy. One of the books is the Book of Enoch.

The book is unique in that it contains many insights. It is now located and kept safe by the National Library and Archive Agency. With this valuable piece of history in hand, the agency took it as an opportunity to register this historical literary text with UNESCO as one of the tangible Ethiopia’s heritages.

It is believed that the Book of Enoch was written in the Geez language by Prophet Enoch in the 4th Century BC. Prophet Enoch is the 7th generation of Adam and is known for his great explanation of justice. The original book, which contains the entire chapters of the text, is found in Haik Estifanos Monastery in Lake Tana, while the National Library and Archive Agency in Addis Ababa has the microfilm copy of it.

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the Bible and apocalypses, the research and emphasis that scholars have given it is not adequate. It would have been valuable if Ethiopia studied and researched the book with other foreign scholars who have given it immense attention.

Apart from its mysterious justification, the Book of Enoch gives a detailed explanation about theological education. For example, it talks about life after death; the meaning of the last judgment; what saints gain from the misery they face in this world; what the edges of the world look like; what Noah’s flood symbolizes; what will happen when the Messiah comes; who Enoch is, why he prays and whose prayers he takes to God; what role do angels play; how to measure years and so on.

Moreover, prophets and apostles wrote the use of the book and its elegance in detail. The reference for this can be found on Genesis 5: 18-25, Luke 3:37, Book of Syrah 19:47, Hebrew 11:5 and Judah 14. Upon the Synod’s decision made during their 3rd general meeting, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church incorporates Book of Enoch and other books of 81 Chapters in total and kept the Geez book so that it can be an asset to the country.

Research and study on the Book of Enoch is widely spread in the western world. Intense attention is given to the book by researchers in America, Europe and Israel. About 60 scholars gather up every two years to discuss the Book. For the sake of this research and study, most foreign scholars study Geez. Studies show that though the research on the Book is expanding in foreign countries, it is not getting the attention it deserves in Ethiopia.

It has been about 200 years since foreign researchers got the entire book. The literary works of older philosophers had been studied all over the world, but the Book of Enoch is a bit different in that it did not get as much attention. However, its explanation and general content was not studied much. The theme of the book and its mysterious explanations describes how Prophet Enoch was one of the intellectual people of his time by his way of explaining many topics in a subtle way.

The book is one of the oldest literally heritages that transfers very useful information to all human beings. This literary heritage makes the country proud as it is one of the 12 literary heritages that have registered with UNESCO.

Apart from reading short verses, even Ethiopian scholars had not read the entire book or conducted research on it. It was a Scottish man named James Burse who conducted research on Abay by the end of the 18th C, changing the situation. On his way back, James took three parchment pieces from the Book and started to do research. The other person who played a vital role on the study of the book was August Dilliman from Germany.

Many scholars conclude that the Book of Enoch is the source for all literary works for many reasons. Priest Daniel Assefa, a PHD student in Addis Ababa University on his research for the accomplishment of Physiology, stated that the book is a very big assignment for scholars who are researching on the matter. Since the Book of Enoch has so many knowledge all the scholars agree that it takes deep research and study to know more about it and its messages

It was after Dilliman that most scholars started researching deeper and asking questions about the Book, such as when and where it was written, its purpose and the message the book contained. Though the book is a foundation for the study of ancient languages, Judaism, the New Testament of

Special thanks to Hailemichael Getahun, Ancient Literary Heritage Expert

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Arts: Art and Literature SELAMAWI THROUGH ART AND CULTURE Selam Festival is bringing the biggest music event of the year to Ethiopia with a weekend packed with concerts, art and culture.

By Henok Solomon Eminence Staff

S

elam Festival is an annual event aiming to promote art, create a platform for the new faces of the music industry and build opportunities for cultural exchange in Ethiopia.

The event was started by Teshome Wendimu, the founder of the Swedish NGO, Selam, based in Stockholm. The NGO organizes and facilitates social exchange platforms in different parts of the world focusing on music, art and culture. It also works to build music infrastructure, provide musical trainings for art lovers and facilitate experiencesharing programs between musicians and professionals in different countries.

For the past four years, the Ethiopian branch of the company, Selam Ethiopia, has 30

organized the festival in different venues across Addis Ababa in collaboration with supporting companies like Yiskal Entertainment. But, for the first time this year, they are taking the festival into their own hands and self-organizing the 5th annual celebration at Ghion Hotel on January 9th and 10th.

Selam Ethiopia, famous for its music festival, is working on 12 music related projects with different individuals and groups in Ethiopia including the Ethiopian Musicians Association. They provide the association with technical and material assistance to fill the capacity gap of musicians and other things lacking in the music industry. They have also opened a school that gives trainings to blind musicians recognizing that

Mia performing live during Selam Fest 2014

Mia

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clothing. Selam also coordinates seminars hosted by experienced professionals discussing the impact of Ethiopia’s music sector on the country’s economy along with experience sharing by music professionals from London and Sweden.

There will also a program called ‘Music is the Way’ that will be training youth and certifying them in professional music production and vocal training. Typically during these types of festivals, foreign professionals are brought to the country to assemble and execute these events.

In response, practical workshops are conducted for the youth on stage sound and lighting, so they could gain skills and hire people locally. They are aiming to create the next sound engineers and lighting and stage professionals. Another skill and experience sharing program is Fourth Power Media that will be held for art journalists, which will include a panel discussion on art and culture.

“When we say Selam Festival is a platform for culture and art, we are very careful about how we are transmitting the right culture to audiences of other countries, starting from the stage design to the music,” said Aron Senay, the communication and media manager of Selam Festival.

disabled artists who have little access to music facilities.

Sisay Mengiste is the organizer of Selam Festival in Ethiopia. According to him, the main goal of the festival is to increase the culture of festival participation in the Ethiopian society, while creating an opportunity for local and international artists to work together. “When we support infrastructures and make international and local artists work together, we are creating a cultural experience exchange between them,” says Sisay, “That is what we work for.”

Though the festival’s biggest attraction is the music concerts, there are cultural bazaars that showcase cultural foods and

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The festival brings big international artists every year like Alpha Blundi from Cote D’lvoire. This year Yasiin Bey also known as Mos Def from New York City will be performing. The local artists participating include the legendary Mahamud Ahmed and Alemayehu Eshete who are also expected to hit the stage.

“The main advantage of involving international artists is that they come along with big promoters and producers, which gives a chance for local artists to be exposed,’’ said Sisay. In last year’s festival, two groups by the name of Sara.b and Quanqua from Kenya and Ethiopia were chosen to perform on worldwide tours.

The company conducted a study to assess the demographic of the festival’s audience, concluding that 60-70% of the attendees are tourists and expatriates.

This indicates that if this trend continues, Selam Fest could be a good attraction to

draw in tourist attention to the country.

Since the first festival in 2010, the size of the crowd, income generated and awareness about festivals created by Selam Festival has been growing year after year. The growth of interest in the society encouraged the organizers to give back more to the audience by making the festival bigger than ever.

For instance, last year the number of stages grew to two stages and again this year it will increase to three. Other exciting events include additional live performances and DJ sets. Last year there was only kid’s corner, but to make this year’s event suitable for every age group, Selam Fest is collaborating with Ethiopia Skates and there will be a skate corner.

Famous mandolin player Ayele Mamo hitting the stage at Selam Fest 2015

Another addition to this year’s event is that organizers will be involving the audience of the festival by throwing competitions on social media. Also, Selam Ethiopia is working with charity organizations like ‘Mekedonia’ by selling wristbands that can be a memory of the festival to the spectators and will give back some percent of the selling income to the charity organization. For this year’s festival there will also be an after party in the African Jazz Village in partnership with Mulatu Astatike.

In the future the organizers plan to make Selam festival one of the biggest music events in Africa and one of the biggest tourist attractions in Ethiopia. This year Selam Festival is going to be a huge cultural exchange and entertainment festival for all age groups and a platform where you see your favorite international artists while learning their culture.

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Society: Social Landscape

FEKARCTUS ic with

ag Creating M

By Hanna Haile Eminence Staff

CI

The Addis Ababa Circus was brought to Ethiopia in the 1990s.

It was introduced by Andy Goldman, an American expatriate working for the National Association for the Care of Ethiopian Jews, and Marc LaChance, a French-Canadian working for the International Community School. Circus Addis Ababa was Ethiopia’s first circus troupe. It was initially designed to be an after school program, but became so much more than that-- bringing social change, cultural development and empowerment to youth.

“I come here every day,” says 15 year old Bayew Kiflu. As he shared his story from the Fekat Circus, Bayew was smiling and fidgeting in his seat as if the energy bubbling within him was about to burst. It had been 3 years since he became a member of Fekat, yet it only took him a few months to join the advanced class.

Fekat Circus was a social circus founded in 2004 by 12 young Ethiopians in Semien Mazegaja. Dereje Dange, president of Fekat Circus, recalls the group being formed from the frustration of not having any entertainment or engagement for young people in the community. From the beginning, Dereje recalls that they did not have to find or recruit anyone to come. “We just put some music on and people came,” he 32

recalls. Even after eight years of doing this work and moving their group from Semen Mazegaja to Piassa, they still follow the same method to engage children and youth.

“I don’t like to put a label on children,” states Giorgia Guinta, who has been a Fekat Board Member for the past eight years.

“The doors are open to anyone, but usually its children from low income families that come and join us.”

The doors of Fekat Circus are open every day. Like Bayew, three young members of Fekat share that they have been coming to the center for three to four years, arguing over which other members have stayed the longest. The three young girls seem to lose track of the years and move on to deciding matching hairstyles for their upcoming show.

A circus becomes a social circus when it uses performance art and Circus Theater as a tool for social change. “Fekat circus is a social circus, providing marginalized youth an opportunity to work and be engaged,” states Sabrina Pezzei, the communication officer for Fekat, “They give them an opportunity to get a job, to have a future and live with their passion.”

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She reiterates this because certain marginalized groups have a difficult time with mainstream education and this is something that supports them. Not only is Fekat teaching children through art, but it is playing an important role in providing them with emotional support that builds up their motivation, self-confidence and life skills. Like many circuses around the world, it also gives youth a place to call home.

Jakob Rosseel from Belgium came to film Fekat Circus, but is also a circus teacher in his home town. He says that circus is more than just training to become a performer.

To Jakob, who had a lot of problems in school because of his dyslexia, the circus gave him a path to find his true calling as an artist, and he is now working as a filmmaker and photographer. “Without the circus I wouldn’t be who I am now,” shares Jakob, “Circus is a language; it’s magic.”

Beyond the students being able to express themselves and garner self-confidence, the circus also teaches street children and young offenders important values such as respect and discipline. This has motivated Fekat to work with youth groups like Re-track, Don Bosco and Remand Home.

The Smile’s Medicine Project at the Black Lion Referral Hospital is one of Fekat’s many projects. It was inspired by a trip the group took in 2008 to Nairobi to meet Sarakasi Trust, another social circus in Africa engaging in projects to change their community. After witnessing the social impact a circus could have, Fekat immediately got their license to become a sports group. They began a month long hospital clowning training given by Italian

professionals who are experts in art therapy. The ongoing project officially started in 2009 and has reached about 75% of the children that go through the pediatric ward.

It is not just entertainment, but therapy for the children who have to be hospitalized for treatment. Whether the children can walk or are bed ridden, the clowns are ready to engage them.

The Clown Doctors go to see the children every day wearing specially decorated doctor coats. “New children get a little apprehensive like we are there to administer medicine with needles,” says Shimmeles Getachew the Smile’s Medicine Project Manager, “But it just takes a moment for the children to get used to us, then it’s all smiles.” Shimmeles shares that his favorite moments are when the whole corridor is laughing non-stop, children as well as parents. It is these types of projects that bring Fekat together and connect them to the community.

“There is no competition in circus,” Shimmeles reiterates, “You are always asking each other to watch what you are doing so that a person can help you improve.” He feels this encouragement helps create a supportive environment among students and trainers. This is evident as soon as you walk into the Fekat Circus training centre. The energy is very positive with smiling faces greeting anyone who walks into the door, no matter who they are. Bayew recalls that it was this environment and the relationships he built that kept him coming back.

Adriano Marzi

Hospital Clowning crew are greeted once again with smiles at the Black Lion Referral Hospital inside the Pediatric Ward.

Adriano Marzi

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Society: Social Landscape

Performers from Fekat circus performing at The First African Circus Art’s Festival, at the Oromo Cultural Centre on November 27, 2015

Credit: Geo Kalef

Giorgia states that professional Ethiopian circus members are wanted internationally. “Ethiopians are very precise and technical,” she explains. Even though circus is not taken seriously enough in the country, Ethiopian circus groups have gone on paid tours to perform around the globe.

Though many of these performers chose not to come back to Ethiopia, Fekat is a great exception.

Fekat Circus just hosted the First African Circus Festival that came to an end on December 2nd. They had brought together eight circus groups from seven different countries in Africa with the objective to promote circus as an agent of social change and the development of the local community.

The circuses that were present were picked based on four categories.

In 2009, Dereje recalls getting an opportunity to go to Germany for 6 months with other young Ethiopians. While some of his fellow artists stayed seeking asylum, Dereje came back. Fekat just went on their 7th trip to Europe, in which 14 of the 13 returned to Ethiopia.

For groups to participate they had to be an active African circus that delivers quality performances and works on grassroots social projects. Selected groups came from South Africa, Madagascar, Zambia, Egypt, Kenya and Senegal. It was a powerful event that brought African circus artists together, who before this show only performed in Western countries. It was a massive event for Fekat to create and host.

But, Dereje without an ounce of doubt stated with confidence, “I had no doubt it [Fekat] would get this big”

“We have something special here,” he explains. Getting paid locally is also an act of having the work of these artists recognized, shares Girogia. She says this pushes them to stay and do what they love in their country of origin.

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The Eminence Jan Issue 15

Society: Business

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Society: History and Diplomacy

Historical Roots of the

Ethiopian Calendar

By Brook Abdu Eminence Contributor

While the rest of the world, especially those in the west, warm up to celebrate the New Year approaching January 1st, 2016 of the Gregorian calendar (G.C.), Ethiopia has already celebrated its New Year (September 11th, 2015 G.C.), and the country is well into its fifth month of the 2008 Ethiopian calendar (E.C.).

It could be puzzling that Ethiopia is still in 2008 while 2016 has just arrived in other parts of the world.

This is because the Gregorian calendar is ahead of the Ethiopian calendar by seven to eight years (depending whether it is a leap year). It is amazing to see that there is little confusion between the two calendars among educated Ethiopians.

When they speak Amharic it is 2008 and when then they speak English it is 2016.

The reason for the difference between the two calendars can be traced back to 500 AD, when the Roman Pope Gregory XIII amended the existing calendar by seven years. The Julian calendar, which

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came before the Gregorian calendar and is the source of the Ethiopian calendar, divided the 365 days and six hours of the year into 12 months with two months having 30 days, one month having 28/29 days and seven months with 31 days.

But this was not acceptable to the Roman Church as it has taken extra 11 min and 14 seconds in the calculation resulting in 10 extra days in the calendar. It has also resulted in making the mid of Spring, which had to be on March 21st on March 15 at that time, according to Professor Getachew Haile’s Bahire Hassab, Our Calendar Heritage along with Historical Memorandum published in Addis Ababa in 2006 E.C. (2013 G.C.).

Pope Gregory initiated the change as he thought the birth of Jesus was seven years ahead of the start of the Julian calendar, which is 5500 years since Adam and Eve committed the original sin. But the Ethiopian Calendar is also claimed to be based on the biblical history of the birth of Jesus, although the start

of the calendar is not Christmas.

The calendar’s base on creation day that counted the 5500 years until the birth of Jesus also indicates the biblical source of the calendar.

Although this change was made, those that had already adopted the Julian calendar rejected the new reform, Ethiopia being among them. “The Church did not accept the change then because of the care it has to the existing cultures and traditions and the belief in the attachment of its calendar to the Coptic Church,” explained Aba Selama Birhane, a monk at the Kidanemihret Church on the way to Entoto.

In the Ethiopian calendar there are seven pillars called aewadat to mean cycles and they are used in the calculations of the calendar.

These cycles are called Awde Elet, day’s cycle of 24 hours; Awde Werih, month’s cycle of 30 days; Awde Amet, year’s cycle of 365 days; Awde Pagume, pagume’s cycle of the remaining days of the year summed up; Awde Abekte, epact’s cycle

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

which comes every 19 years when the sun and the moon appear together on one morning; Awde Tsehay, the sun’s cycle, which comes every 28 years making the Ethiopian September 11 on Wednesday and Awde Kemer, the period’s cycle which comes every 532 years.

Bahire Hassab is one of the names given to the Ethiopian Calendar system meaning “sea of thought” in Geez, the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church. It is also called Abushahir, named after the Egyptian deacon that compiled the calendar in Arabic for the first time according to the professor. Another name is meriha ewur, which translates to guide to the blind, meaning the uncovering of future events before they happening.

And in all the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the calendar is taught orally and the learners and teachers calculate the dates and days on which the holidays are celebrated and the yearly major lent start.

Though certain holidays are celebrated the same time every year, others change year to year like Timket. But, the others like Christmas and Easter always fall on a Sunday.

point of the Ethiopian and the Western Calendar, the number of the months and days in the year are also different. While all the months of the Ethiopian Calendar have an equal number of 30 days, the Western Calendar is inconsistent from month to month. In the European Calendar, September, April, June and November have 30 days and February has 28 days and 29 each leap year. The remaining have 31 days.

For the remaining days on the Ethiopian Calendar, a 13th month is added known as pagumen or quagume. It is the epagomenal month, which has five days and six every leap year. This thirteenth month is the inspiration behind the slogan ‘Thirteen months of Sunshine” that Ethiopia is known for in the tourism sector

In addition to the difference of starting

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Commentary : ETO This article was written by the Ethiopian Tourism Organization (ETO). The ETO has agreed to write regular commentary pieces that highlight current policy and strategic issues concerning the tourism sector. The organization can be reached at eto.org@gmail.com

GREAT ETHIOPIAN RUN 2015

I

g ethirun.or

t is well known that running is a passion for Ethiopians. This long practice started during the Roman Olympics and since then long distance champions have become a national character trait of the country.

Abebe Bikila (1932-1973), an Ethiopian track and field athlete, was the first black African to win an Olympic medal and the first man ever to win two Olympic marathons.

Then there is the King of Running, Haile Gebresillassie, who set a number of world records throughout his career ranging from distances of two-miles to longer marathons.

Keninsa Bekele, Derartu Tulu and Turnesh Dibaba are also great Ethiopians worth mentioning. The influence of this long time tradition in Ethiopia is vast in establishing a market for running based tourism.

Addis Ababians have now grown accustomed to the annual event spending November marked a joyful month for Addis their time chanting, practicing, singing and Ababians. It was the Ethiopian Great Run, making new friends.

Remarkable growth with Ethiopian Legend Haile Gebresillassie has been observed and the number of joining the mass population on Addis participants of the Ethiopian Great Run Ababa’s asphalt roads for his last public run. continues to increase.

This year, nearly forty The Ethiopian Great Run was established thousand attended the event, generating nearly 15 years back and is now the largest running race in Africa, even attracting millions to the city’s economy in a single international professional runners to join weekend. the streets.

As we know, Ethiopian tourism is developing and growing along with the recreational activities the country has to offer. In this sense, the dynamic development and mass popularization of running tourism is booming. It is no longer based merely on organized sporting events in Ethiopia, but massive events like the Great Run, which bring together thousands of participants, their families, friends and tourists. More and more people of all ages want to actively spend their leisure time practicing in these types of street running events.

Running is one of these attractions that develop the country’s positive image as a tourist destination, which serves as a big opportunity for the sector. One of

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the major benefits of running tourism in Ethiopia is that it would increase the number of international tourists visiting the country. International runners would value the opportunity to participate in races in Ethiopia, training in high altitudes while enjoying the country’s various tourist attractions and natural endowments.

This in turn would also generate trips for leisure travel to other cultural and natural destinations, helping increase the tourism expenditure and the hard currency flow into the country.

Since the country is considered to be the land of origin to many runners, this is a big opportunity and ETO plans to branch out the Ethiopian Great Run creating different events for the running tourism market.

All in all, the Great Run contributes greatly to the image of our country. But, this rapidly growing business sector needs global promoting to truly become successful and reach its full potential. To see forty thousand people on the streets running and walking is just amazing; just imagine what is to come

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

Commentary : Dear Ethiopia

Falling for Addis

Originally from Ireland. James Fay has been living in Ethiopia since June. A graduate of University Collage Dublin, James is currently a student at the Enlightenment Art Academy in Addis Ababa.

By James Fay

H

ow we feel about a place can very much resemble the relationships we have with the people we encounter in our life journey. Be it past or present, there are those periods in life when we feel intense passion.

Sometimes we remain in love indefinitely. With others, we realize it was wishful thinking and the initial rushed experience of passion that gives way to mediocrity and disappointment. It is said by self-proclaimed dispensers of wisdom, that a slow burning love is a stronger and longer lasting love. If this is the case, then I think my relationship with Addis Ababa is looking solid for the foreseeable future.

Addis is currently my home, having moved here six months ago. I am from Ireland, a small island on the western edge of Europe. Sometimes the sun appears, but it’s fleeting! Its entire population is roughly the same as Addis. I remember as a child learning about the Rift Valley. I was fascinated by this tear in the earth’s crust and some 29 years later, I had a chance to see it.

I have been lucky in life to have set eyes on a good many cities in the world and very few have impressed me with the scale of building work and modernization as tackled

by Addis. This brings its many problems of course, which is a regular topic of conversation over all three rounds of jebena buna. Both Addis born and adopted residents love to bemoan the road conditions and traffic. How one hole after another is opened up for a future building, often next to projects which don’t look near to completion or are at a standstill. Although frustration is inevitable, better it takes time, than if this transformation never had the opportunity to arrive.

As someone new to Addis, I found people shouting ‘farangi’ at me as I walk to and from (yes some foreigners can’t afford a big white 4x4!) really weird and intimidating. One day I decided to count the amount of times someone heckled me on my thirty minute walk. The fifth self-appointed ouster of farangi, a middle aged man, proceeded to shout continuously at me from across the street “FARANGI, FARANGI, FARANGI”. I ignored it as best I could until he crossed the street to ask in a loud voice, “Why are you ignoring me and where are you going?” I walked on to a barrage of Amharic, which I’m pretty sure by his tone wasn’t an invitation to share a Walia!

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

The next day I left my home at 8:30am (that’s 2:30 in real time). It was a glorious Addis morning. With a smile on my face and determined to forget the hecklers, I walked down a steep set of steps. On my right, not 200 meters from my front gate, through a wooden fence engulfed by green leafy plants,I heard in a low and spooky whisper, “farangi”.

I burst out laughing. I’m very aware that I wasn’t born in Ethiopia and I don’t understand why someone takes it upon themselves to shout the obvious at me. Maybe it’s selfreassuring to maintain the divide.

As for calling me ‘China’, I’m about as Chinese as injera!

This constant was beginning to sour my feelings towards Addis, so in the past two months I’ve made a conscious effort to view it from the other person’s point of view.

This stranger, this white stranger, has suddenly appeared walking around and shopping in their community. As all white people appear to be wealthy and privileged – in films, in adverts and in their 4x4s – therefore I must be too. This is the false lens through which some people view me, yet I will not do the same to this city. I have met enough Addis residents to know there is generosity, welcoming spirit and fun in their hearts. I’ve begun to laugh it off when strangers shout at me on the street, for the very rude and pointless interaction it is.

So what else of my experience makes this city different? Well take to your feet in Addis, the car diminishes observation.

Walk with a curious mind and open heart. There is a kaleidoscope of colors all around, stationary and on the move. Soaring circling birds, keeping watch; a wedding in convoy, led by video; a donkey challenging a new Toyota; a white dress, compelled by prayer, winding up a cobbled path to church; wafting incense announcing jebena buna.

The city is like an Aladdin’s Cave. The loot consists of tradition versus modernity, rural versus urban, rich versus poor, fast versus slow, blue donkey versus everybody else on the road!

Unfortunately,Addis may be going through a rough patch in the looks department at the moment, which often affects love prospects. But as I slowly succumb to its charms,I realize it’s true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Love can flourish for Addis well before the face lift is complete.

And you know what Addis, I think I might be falling for you.

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Mandarin Page

埃塞俄比亚旗帜节的故事 Tasting Japan in Addis

By Haewon Asfaw Translated By: Jiaqi Xie

“咱们去吃寿司吧，” 座在我身边的表哥突然问道。我惊奇 的看了看窗外以确保我们还在埃塞的Kotebe，而不是在梦 里。“寿司？”我满怀疑问的答道，“日本人在这里开了间餐馆 么？”我有些惊讶。

“不，是个巴基斯坦人开的店。”他似乎很是了解并漫不经 心而不假思索切的回答我，“他们也有泰国餐。”他补充 道。

我坐在那里有些困惑，我试图想象着一个巴基斯坦厨师在埃 塞的某个餐馆里精心制做着那些寿司卷和泰国咖喱的情景。 这些在很多人眼里确实难以想象，就像我一样，但他真的存 在着。我们穿过喧闹的Bisrat Gabriel，沿着新建的公路 路一直走Kore，你就能看见这家四季餐厅。这里的老板阿卜 勒杜哈米德为每位食客精心的制作着美味的日本和泰国料 理。 每一个城市每天都有新的事物出现，餐馆的出现也像日常生 活一样普遍，但真正重要的是找到一个好的概念来吸引你的顾 客。当2010年哈米德来到埃塞俄比亚的时候他发现在埃塞俄比 亚想要开一个餐馆并不是很轻松，因为当地的物资并不丰富，但经过 详细的市场调查和研究后他发现，他可以直接从巴基斯坦进口所需 的食材原料，并且亚洲食物并没有占据很大的市场，甚至在 埃塞俄比亚的首都亚的斯都不能找到哪怕一家日本料理， 于是他决定发展这个潜力巨大的市场。

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“亚迪斯是一个巨大的市场，它潜在的国际客户甚至比其他非 洲国家还要丰富。”哈米德说，“在埃塞俄比亚有着大量的 非盟政府组织机构，游客和各国的外交人员，我觉得应该有一个 地方提供给这些国际人士正宗的日本料理。” 说到哈米德，他拥有丰富的烹饪经验，在巴基斯坦他完成了 旅游与酒店管理的课程后便悉心研究烹饪，毕业后曾在多个五 星级酒店工作，积攒了10年的日本料理经验。拥有丰富经验和技 能的他，决定改变自己的生活方式，于是携手一家人搬到 了埃塞俄比亚进行辛勤的创业生活。 当你走近新的四季餐厅时，你会觉得外表上它只是一个传统的埃塞 俄比亚的两层别墅，但当你踏上楼梯走进餐厅，黄色的墙壁上挂着 日本的传统画作和装饰品，背景音乐轻声敲打起日本民间的鼓 乐，伴着这种气氛你会深感置身于地道的日本餐厅，并身心感受 这份不同的异域风情。 在这里就餐前，服务人员会为客人准备消毒过的热毛巾，让客人 可以擦脸和手从而让人们从旅途的劳顿中放松下来，这样的清洁礼仪 和埃塞俄比亚的餐前传统很是一样。接着餐厅会给客人呈上一 些免费的小菜和调料，像传统的寿司酱油，新鲜的胡萝卜和黄瓜 切片，以及绿芥末等。在这之后便是地道的日本主菜登场 了，其中有非常有名的加利福尼亚卷，美味的龙卷，酥软 可口的天妇罗大虾，新鲜的鲑鱼以及爽口而营养丰富的牛油果， 这些便成为了我们主菜的前奏曲。 寿司沾上极鲜的酱油和绿芥末，配上浓浓的热香茶，紫菜寿司卷 被精美的放置在黑色盘子中，味觉视觉都给予顾客美的享受。

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当然，天妇罗这类炸物也同样是日餐料理中不可忽略的重 要成员，金黄酥脆的天妇罗，配上新鲜的酱油和醋。美味 可口而清爽的鱼汤，配上新鲜的炒蔬菜。哦，当然还有红烧鸡 和“呲呲”作响的铁板烧，鲜嫩多汁的铁板牛排沾上甜而不腻 的照烧酱，所有的日本美味都可以在这里品尝一番。 而说到泰餐的加入则更是由于哈米德的一番细致入微的 观察而进入菜单的的。在四季菜单的初期定制过程中，哈 米德将最好的日本招牌菜都放入了菜单，以供客人们选 择。但慢慢地 他发现来餐馆进行就餐的人都有着丰富的旅 行和美食经验，而大部分人并不是为了单一的日本风味而来 到这里，于是他决定将自己全部手艺都拿出来，添加了泰 国菜的选项，让餐厅的风味进一步丰富起来。 “在我们泰餐的部分，泰式咖喱和春卷是最受欢迎两道 菜，”哈米德笑着说道，“很多顾客会提前打来电话并要求 我们帮他们留一些春卷，以防别人抢光，看得出有多受欢 迎了吧。”四季的泰餐美味而辛辣，但同样也有新鲜 和清爽的菜品。在泰餐的配菜里有辣椒，胡萝卜，肌 肉，卷心菜各种坚果，这些重要的元素组成了四季餐厅多 彩的泰国风味。 哈米德在埃塞经营亚洲餐厅同样面临着一些挑战，比如很多 新鲜的海鲜食材需要从外国进口。“其实在埃塞这样的内陆国家 经营寿司店并不容易。”哈米德告诉我们。他还告诉我们在他 这些年的经营经验中，人们似乎还不太能够接受生鱼片这类的生 鲜食材，所以米哈的决定储备一些冷冻的烟熏三文鱼作为突 破市场的美味。同时他还和坦桑尼亚的一家进口公司进行 合作让其供应给他海虾作为天妇罗等食材的原材。

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虽然有些食材可以从当地购买，但亚洲食品有其独特，更多 的原材料还是需要从国外进口。“食物这类的东西很难进口， 尤其是通过海关的检查要有很多程序，”哈米德告诉我 们。每两到三个月他都会抽出时间为下一批进口食材做一些 准备手续，以保证原材料的储备足够满足下两个月的供应量，让 菜单上的菜肴能及时的呈献给每一位客人。 四季餐厅最近的进口食材来自迪拜，同时他们也会从香港， 新加坡和泰国进口原料。其中包括大米，紫菜，芥末 和不同的亚洲香料，例如柠檬草，柠檬叶和咖喱粉等亚洲特 殊的调料和食材。 “埃塞俄比亚慢慢成为国际化的大城市，这也带动了当地的 商业和旅游，”哈米德说道，“四季餐厅很愿意提供给远 离家乡的人们更多的选择，我们让来自亚洲人们更方便的品尝 到自己家乡的味道，也为其他地方的人们提供在非洲品 尝亚洲食物的地方，这样他们不必在漂洋过海返回自己的 家乡或者去到欧洲或亚洲就能尝到地道的亚洲美味。” 埃塞俄比亚获得2015年最值得去的旅游目的地，而经济也 达到两位数的增长，哈米德认为埃塞俄比亚未来的前景不可 限量。“到目前为止，我们一直在为我们的客户们提供日 本和泰国菜，现在我们还在室外增加了印度和巴基斯坦 的美味，并且我们也增加了烧烤提供给大家品尝。”哈米 德自豪的说。 哈米德热爱他的事业，他每天都在愉快的做着自己喜欢 的事情，他告诉我们：“如果你没有激情和一颗热爱烹饪的 心，你是无法做出特别而受欢迎的美味的”

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Entertainment

THE

Movie

EMINENCE Pick of the Month

Book

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Winter—The Lunar Chronicles 4 Winter is the fourth and final book of the Lunar Chronicles series. Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar People for her grace and kindness. Winter despises her stepmother, Queen Lavana, and with the help of her allies she may have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Writer: Marissa Meyer Published: November 10, 2015

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A continuation of the saga created by George Lucas and set thirty years after the 1983 film Star Wars Episode VI- Return of the Jedi.

Director: J.J Abrams Writer: Lawrence Kesdan, J.J Abrams Stars: Harrison ford, mark Hamill, Carrie fisher Rated: PG-13 Duration: 136 min Genre: action, adventure, fantasy Release date December 18 2015(USA)

Berry Kemin Netsa Liwta

Music

Berry is a new artist who released her first studio album this month. She came up with a unique sound and deep lyrics that talk about society,religion and love. The whole album is produced by the famous music producer, Elias Melka, who along with Berry wrote most of the songs and melodies. The Eminence picked this album as the music album of the month.

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

RECIPE BOZENA SHIRO

Sudoku Ingredients: 1 cup red onions (chopped) 1 ½ Ibs. beef (reason ) 1 cup butter (spiced) 1 cup spiced pungent powdered peas or mildly spiced powdered peas ¼ tsp. ginger ½ tsp. false cardamom salt to taste 2 cups water How to fix Bozena Shiro Pea flour sauce Cook red onions in butter. Add 2 cups water and stimulate gently. When water boils, contribute meat and mix well. Add pea flour whereas exciting , to stop lumping. Add pea flour yet rousing , to prevent lumping. Add ginger and false cardamom and cook until butter grows up to the surface. Serve strong. Enough for 6 servings. Store in refrigerator.

TOURIST CORNER

Name: Diego Malvarez, Spain Age: 30 years Old I’ve been in Ethiopia for: 7 months I am in Ethiopia because: I am an engineer doing work here.

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

An Ethiopian concept or way of thinking that you don’t understand: A few days ago, I was walking in Kera where they slaughter bulls and process meat. A bull escaped from the compound and was running behind me, but I didn’t see it at all. People were screaming across the street to warn me, but I couldn’t understand what they were saying. Being curious, I turned around, but the bull was already right behind me. I had to run like an athlete to escape the bull and luckily I finally managed to escape.

Something that has been hard to find here but easy to find in your home country: A variety of seafood is the major thing that

you can not find here and there are certain fruits that are not easily accessible.

Something that has been easy to find here but hard to find in your home country: Injera is impossible to find in Spain and of course good coffee.

Your least favorite thing about Ethiopia: There are a lot of people without their basic needs and changing that is a very important thing to work on.

Your favorite Ethiopian cuisine: Tibs

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“Please let it be noted neither the editorial team nor the company is liable for any errors or mistakes on the sources of information. The list is in no specific order”.

Classified Best Halls in Addis Ababa Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Available Rooms: 12 Accommodates: From 30 - 500 People African Union (AU) Available Rooms: 40 Accommodates: From 35 -2, 500 People Sheraton Addis Hotel Available Rooms: 9 Accommodates: From 40 -450 People Hilton Addis Ababa Available Rooms: 8 Accommodates: From 20 -650 People Radission Blu Addis Ababa Available Rooms: 2 Accommodates: From 12 -120 People

Places for Retreat Kurifitu Resort & Spa Location: Bishoftu (Debrezeit) Things to do: Restaurant & Bar, Swimming, Kayaking, Spa, Rooms Kurifitu Resort & Spa Location: Bahir Dar Things to do: Restaurants, Rooms with Lake Tana View, Fireplace, Swimming, Spa Adulala Resort Location: Bishoftu (Debrezeit) Things to do: Restaurants & bar, Spa & Gym, Bungalows, Horse riding, fishing at Babo Gaya Lake & much more African Vacation Club Location: Langanoo Things to do: Restaurant & bar, Swimming, Kayaking, Spa, Rooms, Horse ridding, Game Zone and Different Beach Games Yaya Village Location: Sululeta Things to do: Restaurant & bar, Horse Riding, Rooms & High Attitude training Liesake Resort and Spa Location: Bishoftu (Debrezeit) Things to do: Restuarants, Rooms, Spa Avanti Blue Nile Hotel Location: Bahir Dar Things to do: Bar and Restaurant, Rooms with overall city view, massage

Immerse yourself in Ethiopian Music and Dance Fendika Location: Kazanchis Time: from 7:00 PM- Mid night 2000 Habesha Location: Bole Time: from 7:00 PM- Mid night

What to see in Addis Ababa?

Beautiful Scenic and Wildlife in Ethiopia

Ethiopian Korean War Veterans Association Location: Afincho Ber Yeka Guest House (Guest House) Total Rooms: 14 Location: British Embassy across the street from the Bio-Diversity Institute

The largest open market in Africa Location: Merkato The gold jewelry market Location: Piassa

Addis Guest House (Guest House) Total Rooms: 12 Location: Bole road 5 minutes from Bole International Airport

Holy Trinity Cathedral Location: Arat Kilo National Museum Location: Amist Kilo Ethnological Museum Location: Sidist Kilo Park (Anebesa Gebi) Location: Sidist Kilo Ethiopian traditional clothes and jewelry market Location: Shiro Meda Panoramic view of Addis from Entoto Location: Entoto

Hangout Spots Edna Mall/ Bob and Bongos Things to do: Watch box office movies, Skating, basket ball, cafés, 7D movies Lafto Mall Things to do: Read your favorite books & enjoy hot drinks Balageru Coffee Things to do: Read your favorite books & enjoy hot drinks Bilos Café Things to do: Some of the best pastries in town Yogurt Inn Things to do: Free Wi-fi while enjoying tasty flavored yogurts

Night Life in Addis Gaslight Night Club Location: Sheraton Addis Club Illusion Location: Next to Ambassador Theater Black Rose Location: On Boston Building Champion Bar Location: On Boston Building Liquid Lounge Location: Next to Intercontinental Addis Hotel Club H2O Location: On Yolly Building, “Chichiniya” Suba Lounge Location: Wollo Sefer on Ethio-China road Gravity Lounge Location: Next to Bole Medihanialem Church Fendika Club

Simien Mountains National Park Location: Semien Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region Some of the animals that can be found: Gelada baboon, Simien fox & Walia Ibex Nechisar National Park Location: SNNPR Some of the animals that can be found: Burchell’s Zebra, Grant’s gazelle, Guenther’s Dik-dik, Anubis Baboon & Grey Duiker.

Awash National Park Location: Southern part of Afar Region and northeastern of Oromia Region Some of the animals that can be found: Beisa oryx, Hamadryas Swaync’s Hartebeet Omo National Park Location: SNNPR Some of the animals that can be found: Burchell’s Zebra, Gerenuk & Kudu Mago National Park Location: SNNPR Some of the animals that can be found: buffalo, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, hartebeest, leopard, lion and zebra

Bale Mountains National Park Location: Oromia Region Some of the animals that can be found: Topi, Lelwel Hartebeest, Bustards, Hornbills, Weavers & Starlings Gambella National Park Location: Gambella Region Some of the animals that can be found: Nile Lechwe,White-Eared Kob, Roan Antelope, and Whale-headed Stork

International Cuisines in Addis Al Mendi Location: Meskel Flower Specialty: Arabian Restaurants Four Seasons Location: Bisrat Gabriel Specialty: Japanese, Thai and Indian Caribo Resturants Location: Mekinisa Specialty: Caribbean and African cuisine Castelli Location: Piassa Specialty: Italian Restaurant Chez Fasil Restaurant and Bar Location: Meskel Flower Specialty: Specialized in Nouvelle & Fusion Cuisine German Restaurant Location: Near Japan Embassy Specialty: German food and beer Kuriftu Diplomat Restaurant Location: On Boston Building Specialty: “The ultimate global cuisine” Hahn Khuh Restaurant Location: Atlas Specialty: Korean Aladdin Location: Near Japan Embassy Specialty: Middle Eastern A

Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park Location: Oromia Region Some of the animals that can be found: Great White Pelicans and Flamingo Yangudi Rassa National Park Location: Afar Region Some of the animals that can be found: Beisa Oryx, Dorcas gazelle, gerenuk and Gravy’s zebra

Your Home Away from Home for Your Extended Stay

Some of the best Coffee house

Beer Garden Inn (Guest House) Total Rooms: 21 Location: Bole Medhanialem Road near Edna mall

Tomoca Coffee Abissiynia Coffee Alem Bunna

GT Guest House (Guest House) Total Rooms: 13 Location: Kirkos kifle ketema, 200m in from Dashen Bank on Sierra Leone Street

Location: Kasanchis

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The Eminence Jan Issue 15

Classified

FIRE BRIGADE

PHONE SERVICE Toll Free Information Service Federal Police Commission National Operator Fault Report Dial Up Internet Pre Paid Mobile Service/Bill Inquiry/Lost Mobile Registration/ Number Change Information Broad Band Customer Service PSTN Service Voice Mail

997 916 998 994 900 994 980 980 908

COURRIER SERVICE DHL EMS(Ethiopia) Federal Express TNT Skypok UPS Trans Express Ethiopia

011 662 16 00 011 515 20 72 011 618 63 83 011 551 41 54 011 662 13 09 011 551 41 54

UN

United Nations Development Program 011 663 35 82 United Nations Children Education 011 518 40 00 Fund United Nations Economic Commis011 551 72 00 sion for Africa

BANK Abay Bank Addis International Bank Awash International Bank Bank of Abyssina Berhan International Bank Buna International Bank Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) Construction and Business Bank Cooperative Bank of Oromia Dashen Bank Debub Global Bank Development Bank of Ethiopia Enat Bank Lion International Bank Nib International Bank Oromia International Bank United Bank Wegagen Bank Zemen Bank

011 552 88 51 011 557 0502 011 557 00 00 011 551 41 30 011 618 57 32 011 158 08 67 011 122 87 55 011 551 23 00 011 552 27 59 011 467 18 03 011 467 40 87 011 551 11 88 011 550 49 48 011 662 60 00 011 550 32 88 011 557 21 13 011 465 52 22 011 552 38 00 011 550 11 11

AIRLINES British Midland (BMI) Egypt Air Ethiopian Airlines Emirates Kenya Airways K.L.M Royal Dutch Lufthansa Saudi Airline Yemen Airways

011 665 04 94 011 156 44 93 011 665 66 66 011 518 18 18 011 551 42 58 011 552 55 41 011 551 56 66 011 663 81 37 011 551 50 76

Station Menilik II square Station Addisu Kera Station Mekanisa Station Nifas Silk Station Akaki Station Megenagna Station Bole

POLICE STATION Police Information Federal Police Commission AA Police Commission

991 916 011 157 21 21

PRIVATE HOSPITALS Addis Cardiac Hospital Addis Hiwot Hospital Bete Zata Hospital Landmark Hospital Hayat Hospital Kadisco Hospital

011 663 47 20 011 618 04 49 011 551 41 41 011 552 62 29 011 662 44 88 011 629 89 04

PUBLIC Black Lion (Tikur Anbessa) Hospital

011 551 12 11

LIBRARY Academy of Ethiopian Languages Addis Ababa Municipality Library Alliance Ethio-Française British Council Economic Commission for Africa library German Cultural Institute Italian Cultural Institute J.F Kennedy (A.A.U) National Libraries & Archives

ART GALLERY

Asni Gallery Ersas Art Studio Goshu Art Gallery Gigi’s Afro Asian Design& Fine Interiors Makush Gallery

TOUR AND TRAVEL

Eminence Social Entrepreneurs Koreb Tour Operators Kibran Tours Plc Rainbow Car Rental and Tour Services

011 551 59 26 011 155 01 11 011 155 02 13 011 155 00 22 011 551 72 00 011 155 28 88 011 111 34 27 011 111 04 33 011 551 62 47 011 123 32 44 0913 66 02 30 011 661 03 97 0912 20 43 37 011 552 68 48

Sudoku Answer

011 823 71 82 011 662 3179 011 662 62 14 011 371 79 40

PHARMACY Abader Pharmacy Bata Pharmacy Ethio German Pharmacy

011 662 43 97 011 655 21 34 0911 20 94 88

ONLINE CLASSIFIED 2 Merkato Latest Ethiopian Tenders and Bids Buy and Sell ( Ethiopia) Gulit Online Market Mekina Online Car Market Kaymu Whats Out Addis?

The Eminence Jan Issue 15

011 156 70 40 011 466 34 20 011 276 91 46 011 442 55 63 011 434 00 96 011 663 03 73 011 664 85 80

www.2merkatos/tenders buysellethio. com wwww.gulit. com www.mekina. ney et.kaymu.com Whatsoutaddis. com

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The Eminence Jan Issue 15

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Phone : +251 115 158278 / 507074 Fax : +251 115 151338 / 504948 P.O.Box: 18401, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Address: Kirkos sub-city, woreda 8, in front of Yordanos Hotel.

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