July 26, 2013 | Ayyaantuu News
Background
Public figure in general and artists in particular are expected to have a detail understanding of the social value and political system where they are acting. They are also expected to know the past historical experiences of the society in a given country country. These issues need more consideration if the society is multilingual and multiethnic. This is because the society do have different experiences in the politics of the country and the message of the public figure through different ways, in speech, writing, in poem, in songs, films etc. can strengthen or worsen the relation that exist between the ethnic or linguistic group. For this reason, the artists especially those who have public acceptance are expected to give due attention to the above things before they are going to work their artistic work and present it to the public. They need to listen to the feeling of the numerous ethnic groups.
Taking the above as background, in this article the new song of Tewodros Kasahun entitled ‘Tikur Sew’ is analyzed. The analysis specifically focused on describing the content of the song and its implication for Oromo, Kaffa, Wolayita and other people. How the people feel and respond to the song is also explained. Comments of different people from different ethnic are collected regarding the song and it will be part the analysis. By doing so, an attempt is made to reveal the hidden agenda behind the song
The album entitled ‘tikur Sew’ is the fourth album of Tedros Kasahun which was released in 2011. Relatively this singer have public acceptance mainly from the Habasha people. Using this acceptance, Tewodros should preach things that can strengthen social relationships among the different ethnic and linguistic group of the country. As I stated earlier, different linguistic group have different political experience in the history of the country. For instance, Oromo people suffered a lot in the past political administration and numerous people were killed and imprisoned for asking their right or for simply being an Oromo. Hence, they do not have good flash back about the administration. Singers like Tewodros should take great care while singing about the past. Besides Tewodros repeatedly heard while he is praising the past kings in his songs. This is disgusting to the Oromo people. He is thinking the renewal or revival of the landlords. Recently he is observed wearing a prince cloth in certain stage. Hence, the singer Tewodros Kasahun is repeatedly committing a mistake which is not expected from ’grade 4’ students. These article specifically focus on “tikur sew’of the the new album.
The Analysis of the Song
First, the issue should not be raised for a song. This is because there are people who have suffered greatly the so called king. Oromo people, for instance, do not have good memory about the king. There are people whose fathers and forefathers and mothers, grad mothers where killed by the king. It is said that the king, Menilik, waged genocide war on Oromo people. According to different source, More than 5 million people were killed by the king. Thousands lost their different parts of their body. What is most disgusting is that people were not killed by guns, hands, legs, tongue of male were cut and breasts of females were also cut. These made the Oromo people to remember the king with bad memory. Hence, praising the king through song means indirectly not caring for the wound of the Oromo people and others who suffered under the rule of that king or simply means inserting stick in their wound. This is also activating their wound and make sick of what happened a century ago.
The song also create hatred among the peoples of the country than strengthening their relation. That is why it is argued that the issue should not be raised for praise.
A singer like Tewodros Kassahun who is considered as a public figure having many funs is expected to care of such issue. What is in his song is largely heard by the public.
He is praising Menilik II saying ’TRikur Sew’ who killed Millions of Oromo in the end of 19thce and beginning of 20th century. By doing he want to cover the genocide made on Oromo people or He want to refresh the wound of Oromo people or enjoy on the death of million Oromo and ignoring the pain of the people. He seems to cover up the unjust and great harm done on Oromo People. This is in contrary to what he is always seem to preach ’love wins’. This slogan seems fake when we see his song which is communicating hate and undermining.
He is also initiating war against the different ethnic groups of the country by appreciating the wrong action performed on one ethic group by the other.
After he released the Album ’TRikur Sew’ there are different opposition and support to the singer on the songs specifically on ’TRikur Sew’. Some supported him saying the song praise the individuals who contributed much to in Ethiopian history. Others, seems on the middle road. For example, one individual said:
“—king Minilik is responsible for that success. You can’t talk about Adwa with out king Minilik. I know he has done terrible things to Oromo people, but he has done terrible things to all Ethiopia as much as good take the Amhara people in( I am not sure of the place). He made people cut the burst of the girls and their hands. It was despicable, but we can’t wipe out history no mater good or bad.”
This commenter seems to perceive, even though the king done harmful on Oromo and others, we can not ignore the history. He is recognizing the harmful action as the same time he is feeling the impossibility of ignoring historical fact.
However, many opposed him. Different individuals show their opposition in various electronic and printed media. For example, one expressed his opposition on the internet saying
“Tewodros Kassahun is confused on what he his doing. He also wants to confuse the public at large. On one hand, he haired a motto constantly on the stage,” Love Wins.” On the other hand, he praised an individual who committed genocide against one ethnic group-Oromo. By doing so, he is making the Oromo people to refresh their wounds and making the other who committed the crime an hero. This could enlarge the gap that exists between the two. The widening of the gap can make the Oromos to revenge their 100 year scar. Thus, rather than creating bridge between people, he is advocating hatred. Rather than, compromising the existing gap, he is widening it. His song can initiate one group to wage war on the other. In words of mouth, he claims “love won”, practical he is panting the seeds of hatred among people. It seems he is flattering the public with words. In support to this, an individual said “Tedy Afro betrayed us for wealth and fame”
Another individuals has the following to say about the song :
“Nothing is new!!! Teddy was/is/ Dedeb and will always be Dedeb. We Ethiopians are great people. We love each other and we will keep doing so. Do not worry with Teddy’s song. This song is the bad. He has no source of income. He doesn’t have any business to run….. other than this. He sings it mistakenly because he is illiterate (uneducated). He knows nothing about our history because he never has been at school; he is a lay man and a layman’s mind is always black/dark/.”
This individual seems to trace lack a means to earn money and lack of knowledge of History made the singer to sing the song. Similarly, “Teddy you need to read more about our history “Ethiopian History I saw a knowledge of Ethiopian history gap and for next interview just jump the question” For this reason, another individual advised the singer saying “stop teaching us what you don’t know” Besides, it was commented that “Don’t tell us Ethiopian History. We know better than u do.”
The song ’TRikur Sew’ seems to show the attitude and hatred of the singer to Oromo people. Thus, Tewodros praise him for the bad action that the king done on Oromo people. In doing so, the singer do not look feel the wound and sorrow of the people. These make some one to say he did not like the people and respect the people. That is why, on the web different people say ”Teddy Afro is a little Menilik dog’ Different cartoons are on the web in which the whole body is of babbons or dog except the face. The face is of teddy Afro. Some also strongly call the Oromos and those who fill the wound of the Oromo to boy cot the album. In addition to parsing the evil action of that king, he is imitating Menilik in all possible way. For instance, on the clip of ’TRikur Sew’ the song as well as on TV interview of the Kassa Show in EBS he wore the cloths of a Prince. In addition, the letter for inauguration of his Album at Hilton Hotel is written mimicking the letter (message) sent for the people to fight Italians.
Besides, he seems always dream of the coming back of the past kings. In connection to this one individual commented:
“Where is your father’s photo? You filled your house with the pictures of those dead so called kings only. You are trying to bring back the old regime. The kings are dead with their bad and seytanawi[evil] works. You k now what, it was your father who made you who u are today. Unfortunately, you stop listening to your self and start to listen to other people’s idea” Another individual commented as “Teddy I think you are missing feudalism”
Another commenter generally described the singer saying “Talented lyricist. Bad singer. And ideologically corrupted individual. Tedy Afro such a opportunist person. He can come up with good lyrics but his universal knowledge is worst than people in the Omo valley.”
One described the impact of the song saying :
“Okay teddy, of course, Menilik might be a hero for you, but when my father heard the name of Menilik, I swear to mom he always get sick for a couple of days. We will never forget what he has done to oromos people.”
Another added ” tedddy, I have a simple question for you. Do you know how many Oromo’s moms and young girls breast had been cut in Menilik time?? How many Oromo’s men was killed?? i
Teddy Afro is too much of an Amara nationalist and too much of an Orthodox Christian. Obviuosly biased against anybody who is not Amara and Orthodox Christian. He would not acknowledge any crimes committed against Ethiopians in the names of the kings.
Minilik is coward who mutilate women and kill children cold bloodily!! He should be remembered for his cruel did. Ted’s honoring this man shows his disrespect for the Oromo’s, walayitas, sidamas…..who experienced the hidden genocide of 19 century!! Shame on you Teddy!!
To Sum UP:
There are different poisons hidden behind the song Tikur Sew. Through this song, he praise Menilik who killed millons of Oromo. He shows also the disrespect and hatraed he have towards Oromo people. This is what many of Oromo People feel about the song.
What you say about the song? Please comment!!
Emoolee Yaa Garbaa Cisaa
Oromiyaa Maltu Gadi Dhisaa?
Note: Tikur Sew is below:
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