By Kidist Tesfaye

The Variety Combination

Twenty-one years later, I feel as if I have finally made it home. Home to the motherland where I was born. Home to the people and the stories I yearned to hear about while growing up as a little girl in Minnesota. Home to the roots of my identity. I’ve always had a positive perspective on the beauty of my country. I spent a lot of my life defending and vocalizing my Ethiopian identity and now I am here witnessing and claiming it with my own eyes. The beauty of Ethiopia is beyond the rich history and the yet has a benevolent sense of togetherness. I came to Ethiopia with little, to no experience about the realities and was eager to start my journey with an open mind and an open heart. It has now been a little over a month since my journey has begun and everything has been phenomenal. There is something about Ethiopia that is very unique and captivating. Something I can’t completely explain in written words. As I have been attempting to wrap my head around everything I’m experiencing, I have finally come across a word that comparatively defines my experience. This word is, “beye’aynetu”.

“Beye’aynetu” is the name of a common dish you will find on the menu in many restaurants in Ethiopia. This dish consists of a big tray with an assortment of colorful and flavorsome Ethiopian food. I realized how popular this dish was during the tsom (fasting) period of the Orthodox Christian religion. Every time I would be out at restaurants, all I would hear is, “beye’aynetu”, “beye’aynetu”, “beye’aynetu”. Even people that were not Orthodox would order it because it is embedded in our culture to eat together and respect each other’s religious practices while sharing food. Friends would gather around one tray and eat the vegan/vegetarian food regardless of their differences. This, in itself, demonstrates the communialism and love shared with people in the country. There are many different types (“beye’aynetu”) of people with different backgrounds and they still do everything together with love are respect. I’ve even noticed how the mosques are right by the churches and people invite each other for their religious holidays and share what they have without hesitation. It’s just simply remarkable.

Beyond the food context of the word, “beye’aynetu”, I have realized it captures the realities of Ethiopia in a unique way. Ethiopia is a true mosaic, just like the dish itself. The combination and variety of cultures, languages, religions, holidays and traditions represent the variety of foods served together on one tray; so many different combinations of people and cultures live together.

On my first day of work, I didn’t know anyone and felt out of place; by the end of my first day, I had, had lunch with other employees who welcomed me into the office, I had coffee with random people I just met, and I left with five new contacts in my phone. That’s the type of beauty that I am experiencing. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. I have made amazing friends already and have been learning about the true Ethiopia – even walking down the street is a remarkable experience. Everything is “beye’aynetu”. The taxi drivers are lined up and chatting amongst each other while working. The small restaurant owners are up early making coffee. There are all types of entrepreneurs in Ethiopia…. again, “beye’aynetu“. Every morning I wake up to the soothing prayers of the Orthodox church a few blocks away from my house. Then I hear the peaceful prayers of the Mosque from a few blocks the other way on my way back from work. So my experience is “beye’aynetu”.

I am enjoying every second of my fellowship in Ethiopia. Everyday is completely different and I love it because I’m learning something new each time. Everything I have identified with has traced back to where I come from and I appreciate it more than I have ever before. I have found my true home and it feels amazing. It’s so effortless and has been easy to adapt here. The fellowship training was valuable in that I felt prepared to be here and I feel a strong sense of belonging and motivation to stay focused during my service in Ethiopia. This is just the beginning of something big for me. One month has only been a short period of time and I know I have only got a small taste of Ethiopia. I am looking forward to growing my understanding of my country while giving back and contributing to the growth of my country. To move forward and upward, one must look ahead. I am looking ahead by continuing to explore this combination of assortments….. “beye’aynetu”.

 
 
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Ethiopian Diaspora Fellowship the organization and the leadership.

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