CALL ME BY MY NAME: A small talk with Debteraw, Part II

Wolde Tewolde alias Obo Arada Shawl

February 23, 2007

On January 9, 2007, the above topic was posted on Debteraw.com. Comments and inquiries were forwarded to the writer of the topic as well as to the Editor of Debteraw’s Website. Some of the salient points were as follows: -

1. Please write more on Tsegeye’s
2. Why is Dbeteraw is in prison while other’s are in political power?
3. You are confusing us but still thank you
4. Who would replace Debteraw?
5. Did you say you talked to Debteraw this X-mass?

If you check with the previous talk with Debteraw, the connection was disrupted when the interviewer asked Debteraw about the solving
Ethiopia’s political dilemma. Debteraw responded as “ÅÅGMELAGO”  (¯ÓSLÔ). But then, our communication was disrupted. It was something like climbing a mountain. Until I get the full sense of it, I feel obligated to answer what the readers of Debteraw Website have asked me. Here lies my answer to your questions and curiosities. Thank you for asking.

 Please say or write more on Debteraw?

 There are so many things to write about Tsegeye Debteraw. Since the question is not specific, I assume the question emanated from a person who knew Debteraw in person or at least he knows there were two prominent personalities by that name. I will dwell on Debteraw’s political philosophy and methods of struggle.

Many Ethiopian educators prescribed an all panacea for Ethiopia based on what they learned in London, Paris, Moscow and America. Though not openly, but tacitly they ascribed the Ethiopian poverty due to the prevalence of Orthodox holidays. Debteraw was opposed to this line of thinking. He believed that both religion and politics were at work not only for poverty but also for progress. He argued that neither the Board Room, nor the Cathedral, nor the Central Planning nor the Monastery would alleviate poverty.

Physical geography as well as political geography was the two main culprits, Debteraw used to argue. He desperately wanted to struggle along these lines. That was why he wanted to contact a prominent Geographer, a well-known Artist and a famous Journalist.

“Laureate” Tsegaye was supposed to promote Ki’NET (Ÿ=’ƒ). Debteraw put his wages on his Mokshe (V¡g) for breaking the political barrier in Ethiopia.  He also hoped against hopes that Professor MWM (mesfin wolde mariam) would lead to kill the physical distance among Ethiopians. Debteraw worked hard to develop awareness and appreciation of Ki’NET for the purpose of breaking the political and physical barrier in the country. The Arts, according to Debteraw, “are the cultural fabric that hold the Ethiopian societies together and that give meanings to the very existence of Ethiopia.”  Ethiopia evolved as a nation and developed its own identity when its people began to celebrate their cultural and artistic heritage and learned how to express in their own languages.

The National Theatre of Haile Sellassie I and Hager Fikr Theatre were established to promote art on a higher level. They were meant to promote music, dance, theatre, food, clothing, the way Ethiopians celebrate marriage, the way they live and the whole package. It is a matter of finding the truth what the “laureate” Tsegaye have done to the progress of Arts in Ethiopia, especially Ha Hu (GG<) in six months and Enat Alem Tenu. The revolutionary arts have turned to be prostitution for arts. It is also important to watch out what the Hager Fikre in Diaspora is being carried out by NWM. I leave this aspect to the readers to find out by themselves.

We have to look elsewhere if one has to find out the true progressive promoters of Ethiopian cultural arts, The two outstanding personalities who contributed much to the promotion of Arts are Tesfaye Lemma and Tsegeye GM, alias Debteraw. They both wrote poems and short stories. Their role was to inspire Ethiopians to believe in themselves as well as in their country.

For Debteraw, he aspired to work on nation building and empower individual identity. He wanted to give new meaning to Ethiopian culture because culture is life. Ethiopian culture is the tradition, the values we have to build on and pass to our children. But at the same time, he did not forget that culture is dynamic and subject to change. The cultural change though should come voluntarily. “The Ethiopian culture has to be strong enough to feel that it has something to protect and something to offer”, Debteraw argued. With that clarity in mind, Ethiopians are able to accept people, give part of their culture and accept part of foreign culture. That was Debteraw’s vision for Ethiopia, a rich legacy to bequeath to Ethiopian Youth (›=I›¨K=) if not in the country, in the whole wide world.

Why is Debteraw is in prison while other’s are in political power?

During the 1960-70, Debteraw’s main objective was to replace the rule of Monarchy in Ethiopia by the Dictatorship of the Working class alias known as proletariat. For this he was labeled as a teacher who poisons school children. Showing light to Ethiopian children was considered as poisonous by the Haile Selassie’s ancien regime. Even after graduation, he was assigned to teach grade II level. When the military junta in lieu of the working class of Ethiopia took power, many intellectuals supported the take over by the DERG, but Debteraw insisted that the Provisional Military Administrative Council (PMAC) could only become a Fascist Dictatorship. “By any means”, Debteraw argued, “The PMAC would not be a Revolutionary council but a fake one, pure and simple”. What a visionary personality!!! For some of us it took seventeen years to grasp it. Menghistu hunted him down, but true to his name Debteraw was elusive and the Junta could not catch him.

The present government led by the TPLF was exposed by Debteraw as follows: – “´”Ëa” ¨Å vQ` ¯d” ¨Å }^^” (Zinjeron wede bahr asan wede terara). That is the way TPLF leadership operate, Debteraw wrote. Another infallible prediction by Debteraw!!! So you can see why Debteraw is in prison. Unless and otherwise there is justice based on the rule of law or Tabot, there will be no amnesty for him nor his life will be spared. Debteraw will only be happy or stop predicting/prophesizing if Ethiopian kept their health, happiness and freedom. Debteraw is the true scholar and role model for Democracy in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

You are confusing us but anyway thank you

I have been using to explain Debteraw’s concept of problem solving by deciphering letters and numbers. He was a humorist par excellence.

Some say that Debteraw is dead, but I have my doubts. The last time Debteraw was dying, I was a witness, to his reliving. For most of us dying is a milestone. For Debteraw, it is fresh material. But suppose for a moment that he is really dead this time, we have lost a great, great and great Ethiopian dreamer, self-invented and self-made Revolutionary that Ethiopia holds onto. Every one of us who knew him understands his revolutionary zeal and method of struggle are fresh with us and it is up to us to tell the next generation to follow him wherever and whenever he is.

Debteraw is also a political satirist. We should all remind now and then the whereabouts of every individual Ethiopian. SÓðõ ›G<”U SÑðõ (detention and disappearance) should not be an accepted norm. Obituaries must be our point of struggle. I know we do not care about killing animals and plants but should we not care about killing people. Think about this, is this confusing. Where is Debteraw? Ask that question until you get the full account. We don’t have to be accountants. It is a simple self-respect for human life.

Who would replace Debteraw?

There are tens of thousands if not millions who have common cause and common bond with those of Debteraw. Debteraw was not only a leader but he was also a follower. No one can lead unless he/she knows how to follow, that is the dictum of his Democracy.

Did you say you talked to Debteraw on this X-mass day?

Yes, I did. But I do not know whether I was connected to his soul or mind. That will be coming soon with the help of the Almighty, God.

Woldetewolde@yahoo.com