FAINT & FADING


FAINT & FADING

A shoe cobbler in the Cherqos area clenches tightly at the needle, keeping the dying trade afloat. The ragged tent protecting the vendor from the scorching sun above will soon be a relic if the City administration's beautification campaign is fully realised. Addis Abeba has represented a centre of commerce and culture for the multitude that flock every year from all corners of Ethiopia in its 137-year history. With the informal sector accounting for nearly half of the capital's employed and constantly galloping inflation rates, the timeliness of the spirited campaign to clean the city has raised eyebrows.  


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ETHEREAL SOLACE

The recently unveiled statue of the late singer  Ali Birra glistens in the foggy weather around the Haile Garment area. Art in all its forms has been intimately weaved into the tapestry of Ethiopian history since the advent of Axumite civilisation. Be it paintings etched into the walls of churches across the country or the endemic pentatonic musical scale, art has provided an escape in times of war, drought and strife. As Ethiopia ventures into a new year haunted by inflation, conflicts and uns...


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PRICKLY FIGS

Bundles of sticks and figs are sold for 40 Br around the Gofa area, as urbanites prepare for Mesqel celebrations. Soaring prices of everyday amenities in the capital as conflict resurges in Ethiopia's north has Addis Abeba residents haggling fervently in this holiday season. As the price of a quintal of teff stabilised above 10,000 Br mark this year and a kilogram of onions soared past 100 Br, city dwellers have been counting pennies trying to stretch their holiday budget. The capital's trade bu...


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BEATIFIC SPARKS

Mesqel Square fills with smoke as thousands gather to mark the eve of the eponymous holiday by lighting ritual bonfires. Followers of the Orthodox Tewahdo Church celebrate the day each year that marks the rediscovery of the "True Cross" in the 4th century. The evening is set against a backdrop of hymns by choirs armed with unique Ethiopian church instruments. Mesqel celebrations take place two weeks into the Ethiopian New Year weaving into the early months a festive spirit rarely seen throughout...


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