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Descending into Menilik’s Creepy Crypt
Less visited than Entoto, Menilik’s final resting place is a
little eerie
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The body of the Emperor who defeated the Italians in
the Battle of Adwa lies in a giant coffin under Bata
Mariam Bete Christian (literally Christian House or
Church) just off namesake Menilik II Avenue, on
Itegue Menen Road. Yet this church does not even
always get one tourist per day according to the
entries in its guestbook, yet it is more impressive,
in several ways, than, for instance, Kedist Selassie
Bete Christian (Holy Trinity Cathedral), which has a
regular stream of tourists throughout most days.
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Teddy Yo (full name Tewodros Assefa) |
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Teddy Yo, a young, vibrant rapper, has been making
the local magazine headlines for sometime now. The
rapper’s innovation in blending the Gurage melody
and beat with a contemporary hip-hop beat has been
appreciated by many. His trademark music, Guragetone
(including a track by that name), was a hit three
years ago, and he is now out with a new album. Very
soon he will be releasing more singles and later a
new project.
Teddy Yo (full name Tewodros Assefa) resides with
Eden, his wife of two years. He sometimes wears
inconspicuous clothes when he goes out that blend
into society and a baseball cap down low over his
eyes. He does this just so that he can get from
Point A to Point B without having a dozen
conversations along the way with fans and random
people who recognise him. He is the epitome of an
arada or an in-the-know Addis Abeban.
But after a one hour interview in a relaxed café, he
became a whole lot more. During the interview, he
talked about life, happiness and even history.
People love him, and he gets the encouragement to do
what he does from them, he said, but he had a bone
to pick with views held by some regarding Amharic
rap.
“Some people say rap is not good for our culture or
that it is not part of our tradition,” Teddy Yo
began.
He begged to differ. There is more in common with
Ethiopian tradition than some people think, he said.
For example, after kings of old, like Emperor
Tewodros, gathered their troops for battle, they
would basically freestyle rap to get the troops
ready for war in what is known as kererto and
shillella, he explained.
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