Sista Marydread
Report from London
I spent the
Millennium eve in London UK. Firstly I forwarded to Brixton to an
event organised by the Ethiopian World Federation in Brixton Town
Hall, where I had arranged to meet some idrens and also my daughter. The hall was decorated with photos depicting His Imperial
Majesty's reign and artwork depicting the Istory of Ithiopia.
The event started
with the singing of the Rastafari
Ethiopian World Federation Anthem, followed by the Our
Father prayer in English and Amharic. Various speakers then contributed with
information about the Millennium and the EWF. I&I joined together
in the Marcus
Garvey Ileverance Prayer and the Jamaican National Anthem was sung
in Amharic. After this Ras Seymour
led the audience in some chants accompanied by drumming. See photos
here.
There was then an
intermission when refreshments in the form of Ethiopian food (Injera,
various wat, bread & salad) and fruit salad were served. There was
water and fruit juice to drink.
This was to be
followed by Ethiopian dancing, still I and I idrens wanted to forward
to Trafalgar Square where the Ethiopian community were celebrating so
we did not see the rest of the programme.
Trafalgar Square was
packed with mostly Ethiopians, Rastafari idrens, and other interested
persons. A stage had been set up under Nelson's Column and various
acts performed while we were there and before we arrived. We missed
the presentation by the Orthodox Church which was on earlier in the
evening. The mood in the Square was jubilant and everybody was really
friendly and in high Irits. Midnight in Ethiopia coincided with 10pm
in the UK as we are still in BSM (summer time / daylight saving) After
the countdown to midnight the crowd went wild and were led in song
from the stage where dancers performed under the shelter of the
Ethiopian flag. All the Ethiopians in the crowd were singing. I was
informed that the words of the song were "Ethiopia our
country" and "Proud to be an
Ethiopian". It was incredible and I felt totally rejuvenated and
elated.
After wishing Happy
New Millennium to my idrens, I left with my sistren and her bredren as
I&I had a lengthy journey to reach home. It was strange to leave
the square and see the people outside were totally oblivious to what
we had just experienced. It was just another evening in Central London
to them. As we were making our way out of the square and on the way to the bus stop we exchanged greetings with
many Ethiopian people. They were very happy that we were sharing the
millennium with them. I still feel elated from the experience and pray
that as I&I go forward into the new millennium life will improve
for all of I&I especially those ones suffering in Ethiopia and
around the world.
