Reggae as a musical genre of resistance

(Bob Marley, Part II)  “Waiting In Vain” This light-hearted theme is again continued and built on by “Waiting In Vain,” a song that personally makes me feel like I’m lying on a... Read more »

Reggae as a musical genre of resistance

(Bob Marley, Part I) One year after the assassination attempt of Bob Nesta Marley, Exodus, a defining work of Bob Marley & The Wailers’ ca­reer, was released. Though popular world­wide for mainstream... Read more »

Why self-publishing is not a feasible option in Ethiopia?

Every rainy season in Ethiopia usually offers a better opportunity for the publishing and distribution of more books and the surge in reading. As schools close down for the long vacation and... Read more »

Friends Forever: How a beloved sitcom helped a struggling student overcome adversity”

“I’ll be there for you, ’cause you’re there for me too.” This is the iconic opening line of the famous sitcom TV series – Friends. I was a second-year university student struggling... Read more »

Misplaced mercy

While walking In his garden One morning fine Seeing a snake He felt fear Galloping down His spine. As a Camouflaging trick Attired a green silk While zigzagging in The grass thick... Read more »

The profound impact of ‘Perfect Days’

I often spend my leisure time watching movies at home. I grew up watching American films, and I can say my childhood is closely associated with them, as my mother was also... Read more »

 African fashion: An art form or a money-making machine?

The current boom in fashion and design in Africa is a relatively recent phenomenon, perhaps dating back to the early years of this century. Previously Africa has never been remarkable for its... Read more »

Addis’ recreational options luring residents to pour out into its new, shimmering streets

Addis Ababa’s working class, youths, and people from other works of life have long been tacitly denied the pleasure of recreation. For years, recreations were considered a luxury for the fair reason... Read more »

I knew why poets never die (In praise of classic poets)

Absorbed in An anthology of Classic poems On a quiet night With wings of Uptake & delight Unbeknownst to me My soul took flight To wonderland that Whets poetic appetite With musical... Read more »

 From two generations, a tale of two Ethiopian pianists

The piano as a music type or genre has a relatively long history in Ethiopia. If we take the first Ethiopian female pianist, Emahoy Tsegue-Mariam Gebrou, as a point of reference, we... Read more »