(Sounds of Mezmur and Menzuma fill the air simulteniously)
BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
Ethiopian Christians fasting has just passed its zenith or the middle of it. This season of fasting has been strongly influencing the lives and ways of people across the country. Beginning from the white costumes faithful wear to the diets and the mesmerizing “Begena” life styles have been altered. Now, Ethiopian Muslims are joining, making it official season of prayer. Like the Muslims have been wishing for their Christians brothers and sisters, “Enkuan adereshachihu”/ Have a Good fasting season, it is now Christians turn to follow suit. Christians are wishing even saying Ramadan Kerim/ “A blessed Ramadan” to their friends, neighbors and other Muslims they know.
This solidarity and togetherness is among the things Ethiopia boast off. It is among few countries that adopted Christianity and Islam without seeable conflict. In fact, it became the center of these two Abrahamic religious by contributing for the growth. While we know Axum and Lalibela Christian churches, there is also the oldest Mosque in Africa, Al Nejashi to prompting the history of Muslim refugees who escaped persecution in Mecca, including close relatives of Prophet Mohammed, during his lifetime. Bilal, who is the first Mu’azzin is also a face of Ethiopian Muslims as he is Ethiopian origin. Ustaz Hassen Taju once said, “It is Ethiopia that welcomed Muslim refugees, allowed to perform Quran without any pressure. This makes Ethiopia unique.”
So, people from these two different religions lived side by side in harmony for ages. Their togetherness is appreciated. Teddy Afro with this amazing song praised this togetherness and showed its role for country’s coexistence.
The mosque calls Azan and it is the day to break
I gotta go to Shemendefer to take the train
A guest from Adiss Ababa to Harar
She took my heart with her faraway
Shemendefer
Have you forgotten, this is Ethiopia?
A land Christains and muslims live lovingly
You with your own faith and me with mine,
We can live together, my home is enough.
Shemendefer
In this season of fasting, all able Muslims are expected to fast every day from dawn to sunset. Since the sighting of the moon herald full-month Ramadan fast, life style of Muslims changes. The times they eat, the diets, the costumes and many other things create a certain vibe everyone shares. They invite friends to Iftar (A supper following the sunset) preparing dates, cakes, sweets, soft drinks and other homemade foods. Prayer calls raise people from sleep.
The Nasheed and Menzuma attract the attention of people from other religions too. Anyone whose ears fall to Menzuma will be astonished by the beauty of the melodies, poeticness and depth of Menzuma. Menzuma is particularly popular and an important part of the traditional Islamic culture in Ethiopia.
The menzuma is usually performed by a solo artist preaching and teaching on various religious and similar topics. While many of them reflects upon divinity, power and will over people, the other preach kindness, generosity and truthfulness. Although it is accompanied by drum beating and clapping of hands, Menzuma tends to very nostalgic
sentiment and has nature of flagelation or lamentaion about wrong doings, judgement and creation. The lyrics of Menzuma are characterized by their use of repetition and rhythm, which create a powerful emotional effect on the listener. Abdurhaman Shifa “Mohamed Zeyenu” is one example for Menzuma’s captivating nature and its strong significance in preaching of Islam.
He attracts with his good deed
Helped the weak, preached forgiveness
And command us to give charity
Mohammed Zeynu, the prophet (2x)
Mustofa, Seid Ahmedu
It is a benefit to love you
Like the Sahabah loving eachother
Being thoughtful eachother
Help us to live this way till the end
Another Menzuma by Miftah Hussein includes strong message and his yearn for Ethiopia’s revival.
Our brothers and sisters migrated
We are left alone
Our division continued to grow
We longed for Habesha’s “bereka” to come
Habibi Habibi Habibi Habibi
call me to Medina
Let it be by your forgiveness
Think of us
Save us from every danger
For ours guilt we dispersed all over the world
*“bereka”- blessing
Tareken Allah/ Please have mercy with us Allah is famous Menzuma even known by Christians. It pleads for forgiveness, guidance and most of all spiritual support in this time of uncertainty, conflict and other disasters.
Oh Allah please have mercy with us
Oh Allah please have mercy with us
Be our father guide us
Oh Allah please make honor
There is no other they obey
You the wise, who uncover the hidden
Your name a mystery
Be think of us
Oh Allah please have mercy with us
It is from you we expect
You do what you please
Oh Allah please have mercy with us
It is you who doesn’t regret by your work
There is nothing you will be criticized
Please don’t forget us
Please have mercy with us
With your truth you guide people
You released us from guilt
You shaped us to good behavior
With Begena and Menzuma going side by side, Church and Mosque procession the prayers are for eternal salvation but it would also be critical in this time where many things such as the economy and politics are difficult. Teddy Afro in his other song described the coincidence of fasting season from two religions and elevated the happening to be a gesture of good times to come.
The Muslim and Christian fasting overlapped
Who knows if both faithfuls have appointment to see God?
The Ethiopian Herald March 31/2023
