#taitu

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Ernesto Chahoud presents TAITU - Soul-fuelled Stompers from 1960s - 1970s Ethiopia

Dona curled against Taitu’s winter coat, her cheek resting its on supple brown leather. She’d been certain she didn’t have any more tears left to give, but as soon as the woman’s arms wrapped around her, they fell. Dona’s shoulders shook with the force of her sobs, relying entirely on the other woman to keep her upright as the full impact of her evening bore itself down.

Addis Ababa, the capital of the thirteen months of sunshine country Ethiopia, has ample destinations that attract millions of tourists every year. As a person born and raised in Addis Ababa, I get bombarded with questions from a lot of my friends that live abroad. Whenever any one of them visit I see how overwhelmed they are trying to figure out where to go and what to see in their short visit. I love helping out people who want to explore and get an authentic feel of the city. I have listed out five of my top not-to-be missed spots in Addis based on the feedback a lot of my friends have given me.

Merkato

The largest open market in Africa where you can buy everything this country has to offer. From clothing, cookware to souvenirs you can find it all at a bargain. Located in the district of Addis Ketema, Merkato comprises of several kilometers of land that is dedicated to both wholesale and retail activity. It is claimed to have over 150 stores and four massive shopping centers. It is truly unique to experience the human interaction and shopping dynamics in the heart of the city’s commercial scenery.

Empress Taitu Bitul of Ethiopia (1851 – February 11, 1918)

Empress Taitu was the loyal wife of Emperor Menelik II. She was considered a brilliant military strategist, a commander and an advisor to her husband. Taitu’s relationship with Emperor Menelik was one of mutual respect, independence, trust and reciprocity. Taitu played a key role in halting European’s plot to colonize Ethiopia when she advised her husband to reject the Treaty of Wuchale (May 2, 1889) between Italy and Ethiopia.

The Italian translation of article 17 of the treaty would have made Ethiopia Italy’s protectorate. In contrast, the Amharic version recognized the sovereignty of Ethiopia and its relationship with Italy as just a diplomatic partnership.

Taitu’s advice lead to Menelik tearing up the Wuchale Treaty, which then lead to Italy waging war in what became know as the First Italo–Ethiopian War or the 1896 Battle of Adwa. Taitu reportedly marched north with the Emperor and the Imperial Army, commanding a force of cannoneers.

According to the research of Profesor Ayele Bekerie, Taitu’s strategy helped Ethiopia soundly defeat Italy during the Battle of Mekelle.

“At the Battle of Mekelle, she advised Ras Mekonen to cut off the water supply to the Italians in order to disgorge them from their entrenched and heavily fortified positions at Endeyesus Hill on the eastern part of Mekelle City. Taitu was also the receiver and analyzer of intelligence information collected by spies, such as Basha Awalom Haregot and Gebre Igziabher. Historians characterize the intelligence data obtained by Awalom and Gebre Igzabher as crucial importance to the Ethiopian victory at the battle.”