BY STAFF REPORTER
Every September (Meskerem) specially around the day that marks the finding of the true cross (Meskel Celebration) Adey Abeba (the yellow daisy) adorns the Ethiopian landscape. Greenery boasting valleys and mountains will be garnished with yellow flowers. Also a special bird called Yemeskel Wefe (A bird that appears around Meskel) follows suit.
The coincidence or of the two rare events conjures up in one’s mind an excerpt from the poem of the renowned Ethiopian poet Mengistu Lemma.
// Who knows
When September ensues
Adey and Meskel Wofe
Have an appointment
Prior set? //
Concerning the bird, there is a belief that this bird gets ample food in this month as flowers bloom sweeping the gloom and fruits grow profusely. It is the bird’s spawning season. It is not uncommon to see such birds laying their eggs in the respective nests they make on branches to procreate. For this reason most birds are seen developing and displaying motely and eye-catching hues to magnetize members of the opposite sex.
Unlike other times, the Meskel bird develops incomparable feathers at this chapter of the year. The Meskel Wofe is a black one having red legs and a bloodshot beak. The bird has similarity with the tiny bird referred to Dembit(Sparrow). It got the name the Meskel Wofe due to its peculiar feature of paying a visit in September. That is why there is a strong belief that this bird must not be killed or hunted as it is considered sacred.
Though its name is coined with September, the bird tarries till October and November. In November, together with other birds, it is seen hovering on Teff harvests. Then it backpedals as though hibernating.
What likens the flower with the bird is the overlapping of the visitation time of the two kindred souls—September.
Even if, at times, heavy rains hit the country in the dry seasons the seed of the flower never breaks to come out of the clay with green shoots and yellow flower cups it felicitates the sky with. It seems it is only the rainy season (Kiremt) that quenches its thirst. Such abundant water soaks the seed to the bone in a bid the seed breaks its shell. It is only in September premature leaves of Adey Abeba open up flower eyes to the sky. When Adey wilts and dies it shows no visible seeds. It turns but a chaff. The stem seems a vacuum tube. Surprisingly however, waiting for September it resurrects.
Sources indicate that Ethiopia that has over 870 bird species boasts 18 endemic bird types. Among the latter is found the Meskel Wofe, which in September enjoys abundant food that affords it to change its color. The background that foreshadows its beauty is the natural milieu— the majestic beauty of the flora and fauna at this juncture. Especially the yellow flowers embroidering the green mantle render the Ethiopia’s terrain an awe-inspiring beauty. When the flower wilts its seeds remain buried underneath.
Adey has a capacity to hibernate from 6 months to 2years. This period is referred to a period of dormancy. Adey needs the combined effect of moisture, air and enough warmth to fully sprout.
Even if it is to get enough water via irrigation, as opposed to other flowers, Adey digs its heels in till September sets in. Its stay is also brief.
In September the males exhibit bright color. But the female has either a brown or gray color. During gestation period the male is seen circled by female birds.
The Ethiopian Herald October 1/2022
