Kahadi

Kahadi: meaning one who have betrayed something of thier own for something else that neither is theirs nor can ever be (seem) like theirs. So why is it that when I think of some of my people or can I say some Ethiopians that the word 'Kahadi' comes to mind? Ummmm .. . . As my friend J would say, "I seriously don't get it" So here is the story (my experience/my view): Ethiopians are the most proud people I know, my people, we are so proud yet it is not clear of what we are so proud of that at times we forget where we are in the world. Come to think of it, we are one of the poorest country in the world. At the tail of the world’s economy we, Ethiopians are one of the most proud people i have encountered. I agree we are rich in culture, tradition, historical sites, unique language, delicious food, and tightness with the lord and of course our different ethnic groups and costumes. But what is that makes us so proud that sometimes we tend to separate ourselves from the rest of the African countries. Why is it at times (i.e; always) we don't consider ourselves as Africans? In fact some of my friends and relatives get offended when I refer to them as 'an African'. The usual response is "I am Ethiopian, not African." and since it is a dead-end kind of conversation, I let it go and move on to my next annoying question.
Some give me the excuse of not ever being colonized, some give me the excuse of the Amharic alphabet, and some of course tell me that Ethiopians are more beautiful than any other African descendent, so that sets us apart from the other African countries as well as any black people in the world and therefore are special, should be treated special and will always be special. (Google ‘black Brazilians’= and click on image: just saying!)

I laughed, will laugh so hard and 'stupidly'. Knowing that some of my friends and family would be upset that I am writing about this, I am taking the risk to accept nasty emails and annoying phone calls. Make my weekend! I am not going to deny that I, like anyone from anywhere also am proud to be from I am from, I am proud to be an Ethiopian, but not because I think that I am better than anone that are of African decent but because I am an African, the richest continent in the world (resource wise), from a country of the Sebastopol (Emperor Tewodros II), Lalibela, Axum, a country of so much history, a country of beautiful culture but more than anything, because it is a country that GOD spoke of so much in the Bible. But by no means am I saying that because of all these I should be treated special or given special attention or privileges than any of my black people.

Colonization: Thank God we were colonized for 5 Years by Italy; they paved roads in Tigray and other places. So though it is only for five years, sorry to break the news to you but Ethiopia was colonized! As George W. Bush would say "Google it!" Hint: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_East_Africa

Amharic Alphabet: I can never find anything on this, honestly I really don't think Ethiopia is the only country that has its own alphabet, because it is similar to Tigrigna 'Geez' which is also used in Eritrea.

Beauty: "Ethiopians are more beautiful": when "more beautiful" comes into discussion, I like the fact that no one is being called "ugly" so with appreciation, I ask: who is it that decides that we Ethiopians are more beautiful? And what is beautiful? Who defines it? What is the category? Is it the fair skin? The silky volume hair? Because for me beauty is the beautiful round 'pedonkdonk' booty, the voluptuous hips, the nappy thick hair, the plump lips the dark chocolate skin (Dark Chocolate is healthier).
Beauty that fades away shouldn't be the interest, thanks to L’Oreal, MAC and Revlon, and thank you Jesus for Plastic surgery; I can do, be whatever to be like somebody or some bodies something I want. But instead of going through all that, Hello Adobe Photoshop! (:)) So, back to beauty, Most that are considered beautiful in the rest of the world are tall and slim, yet most of us Ethiopians are short: averaging about 5'4) Is it because most are slimmer? Well, may be that because now a days slimmer is more attractive but for me without any meat, bone ain't that delicious. (thank God I have some meat on me)

What is beautiful? Who is beautiful? How is beautiful defined?

My Understanding: well amazing history and historical places is everywhere, Like the Blue Nile there is Victoria Lake, like Lalibela there is the Pyramids, every country has its beautiful culture; no citizen would say they don't like their culture. It is something they saw growing up therefore they find their culture very attractive and consider it to be amazing, like Sebastopol. there are several countries with heroes, Nelson Mandela: South Africa, Kwame Nkrumah: Ghana, Mansa Musa: Sudan, Jomo Kenyatta: Kenya, Khama III: Botswana and the list goes on. Every country has its own uniqueness.

So my dearest how is that we must feel more beautiful, more proud than any other country in Africa or even in the world? Yes we are the most amazing people for ourselves but have we really checked how we are viewed in/by the world? How do other countries feel about our claim to being 'special'? Or are we just special and ‘arrogant’ to/for ourselves?

But how can we be ashamed of being referred to as 'Africans'? When we are in Africa, and truly are Africans.

When someone sees me: they first see that I am a Black woman, they ask my name, I tell, they ask: "where are you from?”, “ I am from Eastern Africa, Ethiopia”

For me: I am Black, I am an African. I am a Woman, and then I am an Ethiopian.

Ebed:
Definition 2: A person who does things that are absurd

Are we being Kahadi to our Mama Africa?

*Dedicated to you J: "I seriously don't get it" either!

Ebed!

They call them Ebed: which means 'the mad one'. Though they are not mad nor do they look mad the society I proudly say I am a part of calls those who are mentally ill, 'the mad people'. Hmmm. . . It makes you wonder about Ethiopia, about its background and hospitality for people, the love for their neighbors and the people of religion and tradition, it makes you wonder as to why it is that the most vulnerable are hated, disgusted about and why most live in ignorance of the current reality? That at least 1 person is "Ebed" from one line of a family. But since no one is willing to show the dark, weak side of the family, it is usually tugged under the carpet, well under the ground would make more sense in this situation.

So who are the crazy people? Who are the coo-coo ones? The one who seriously have mental health problems or those who choose to pretend that there are no such things in Ethiopia yet it is just the devil?

On the street of Addis, you see many people that are affected by mental health problems. Most that seems to be suffering from depression, bipolar and schizophrenia. Some say that these individuals are dirty and crazy so they run away from them or look at them as if they chose to be ill. And some give the reason of why they are ill or 'ebed'. "I bet they took drugs" "I bet it is all that Khat they chew" and some would say; its karma or the devil that just got them. "Holy water is the medicine"
I surprisingly ask, "Holy water for depression?" "If you doubt like this, you are next, in fact I wonder about you right now" I laugh being so amazed and just so surprises, shocked, and just stunned, I don’t know whether to blame the individual, the culture, the religion or to blame those of us so called ‘educated’ chasing the dollar!.

I have not found a family in Ethiopia that has come into terms about their loved ones being mental ill and what that person needs is mental health specialist that can help him/her. What usually happens (what I saw) is a person in the family might be really ill. The first option is Holy water, then when that doesn't work, it is 'tenkway' (the psychic/fortune teller : more on this later) (if the family is into these things) they say "I will do anything for my child/brother or sister” (their justification), then when that doesn’t work it is the last resort, mental health hospital. Since the family denied it so much and didn't accept it as being an illness like any other kind the patient usually feels like he/she betrayed the family, put the family to shame, or feels like the black sheep. The patient takes the meds and gets better but the families constant sucking the lips and talking about this devil that has gotten in the house and how a priest should come and sprinkle holy water comments gets to the patient which makes the patient not accept the illness and slowly stop taking the medication. So when I ask when is it that the patient can ever accept their illness and lead a productive life? Is it A. When they move away from the family they need on their side incase of an episode? B. Is it when they can't hear what the family saying C. When they try to avoid the family by staying out, and staying out late? D. When they attempt or commit suicide? E. All of the above : You answer that question!

Mental health in Ethiopia is a serious issue. As Khat is legal, produced locally and distributed more than any other food item through out Ethiopia it is also to some degree the great contributor to mental illness: specifically schizophrenia. It heightens any mental illness the person had, therefore though it is not the cause; but it does exaggerate the illness to some degree.
Read1: http://www.delken.ec.europa.eu/en/publications/war%20trauma%20khat%20and%20psychosis%20vivo%20report.pdf

Read2:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC554104/

How bad is mental health issue in Ethiopia?
Read1: http://www.who.int/countries/eth/areas/mentalhealth/en/index.html

Read2: http://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/ethiopia_who_aims_report.pdf (trust me it is still the same)

New Development:
http://www.salini.it/index.php/english/content/show_news/40
(FYI: Population 83 Million, Hospitals 2: Each serving only 200 individuals at a time)


Poverty can make anyone depressed!

In Ethiopia people are neither taught nor encouraged to speak out their problems to solve them. It is usually kept as secrets, they call it “Gebena”. There are many individuals, mentally ill that have been hidden underground for years, and those away from family, there are those who are looked at as devils, shame and hated by their own mothers. When this is topped off on their already serious poverty and survival problems, people tend to loose their minds. (anyone would)

Let’s do something about raising awareness on this issue in Ethiopia. If we can't do it ourselves, let’s tell a friend, someone, anyone who can do something about it. Let’s not just sit and watch the most vulnerable being tortured by their own families ‘because they just didn’t know’