To the delight of unionists in this country, Ethiopian nationalism seems on a resurgence. Even the Revolutionary Democrats, who are known to have a rather different interpretation of Ethiopianess, have begun promoting the glorious past few thousand years of Ethiopia, judging from series of broadcasts on the state owned electronic media, if not recent assertions by their leader.
 

The pick of this new found mood was more evident this past week, when the country wasawash with celebrating the beginning of its Third Millennium. As the explosive fireworks, blinding lights and deafening screams have subsided, reflection on the momentous events reveals a promising mood. The celebrations that brought the Second Millennium to a close and ushered in the next 1,000 years in the Ethiopian calendar not only fulfilled the countless hopes of a good time, but also reflected some deeper positive trends for Ethiopia's future.

Unprecedented numbers of people flocked to public places for revelry last Tuesday night as streets, nightclubs and halls of all types overflowed with fervour. While the sheer volume of carousing in itself is a tremendous feat for any country, let alone one with its fair share of economic setbacks and political uncertainties, the most impressive aspect lies in the composition of the public seen dancing in droves.
 

The Millennium celebrations, as any event that reaches the proportions experienced, met their fair share of criticisms from a variety of angles. In a country of 81 million people and as proudly and controversially diverse as Ethiopia, not everyone would simply take the rosy picture painted by organisers at face value.

One of the most commonly heard judgements was that the Millennium was simply an opportunity for the ruling party to propagate its alleged greatness and successes. Some claimed that the Revolutionary Democrats were attempting to hijack the memory of the last 1,000 years and manoeuvre into the position of the time period's greatest. Incessant ETV programmes on the progress made in the past 16 years and the campaign to ensure that all Millennium symbolism would be monopolised by the federally endorsed flag aside, this scepticism is not what prevailed last week.
 

Thousands of people flocked to all corners of the capital and left their homes for public spots in the regions in a rather celebratory exercise. The enjoyment seemed to cross most, if not all, dividing lines that separate the nation on so many issues. People of all walks of life could be seen shoulder to shoulder wide mouthed gazing at the firework display at Meskel Square, dancing to the beats at the Millennium Concert Hall or producing the general merriment at Jan Meda.
 

Gladly, smiles broke down barriers and transcended divisions.
 

When such an event is powerful enough to bring this atmosphere in a similar manner to a country struggling to define itself, it should be seen in a positive light.
 

Addis Abeba, for example, just two years ago voted overwhelmingly (99pc) for an opposition alliance or against the incumbent, in whatever manner one prefers to look at it. Yet the city was ablaze with spirit last week as urbanites took full advantage of the opportunity to enjoy themselves. Whether they simply chose to ignore the political implications of their actions or were making a statement in favour of an Ethiopian Millennium devoid of any partisan affiliations is a question for deeper investigation.

It is obvious that the around 150,000 at Jan Meda, 20,000 at the national stadium and 17,000 at the Millennium Concert Hall could not all be supporters of the ruling party. Similarly, the Millennium logo was seen at all locations, even pasted to the notorious blue and white taxis that were so instrumental in opposition rallies two years ago.
 

What was seen last week was both unprecedented and incredible.
 

While Tewedros Kassahun (a.k.a. Tedi Afro), certainly not EPRDF's poster child, dazzled surprised guests in the national Stadium, although brief and with a mediocre sound system, at the same time, those willing to shell out 1,500 Br enjoyed the Black Eyed Peas in the MIDROC funded Concert Hall, made possible by Sheik Mohammed Al-Amoudi's company, no foe of the current government.
 

There was a unique sense of pride in the enjoyment felt by Ethiopia out of all locations on the globe. It was truly a moment of glory for a country with vast potential.
 

The challenge for all is to perpetuate this momentum; morph the moment into a movement forward.
 

It is indeed a huge challenge to channel the zeal thick in the air into any kind of tangible progress towards a better country; it goes past the Millennium Secretariat which must convince the public the party is not over because it seems very difficult to find a uniting factor in a country composed of so many differences.
 

To build the framework to move Ethiopia ahead amidst the languages, dresses, music, foods and cultural diversity in general is no easy task. These are the very issues of political contentions in Ethiopia of perhaps the past few thousand years, and surly over the past century. To some, these differences are causes for alarm for they fear potential disintegration, while to others these are not only sources of beauty but also strength. The latter represents the official view of the political establishment since the early 1990s.
 

The coming into power of the Revolutionary Democrats during this time has indeed unseated the century old political view of Ethiopia as a unitary state, with its people being one in all aspects. Shaking the most conventional political beliefs is not distinctive to them in Ethiopian history, though.
 

Historical biases aside, if not very limited literature, similar development was recorded in history just about the same time 1,000 years ago. A legendary woman warrior, Yodit, unseated the most powerful Axumite Empire, and paved the way for the establishment of the Zagwe Dynasty, a rule that remained until 1270.
 

The concept of Ethiopianess has been continuously evolving since then. Over the thousands of years, Ethiopia remained a nation where the winners take it all, and the losers accept their submission until such time they recover from their defeats. Not surprisingly, hardly was there space for those who have come to be defeated in bloody wars and battles.
 

Amidst these battles of the sword, and little of ideas, two themes have prominently guided much of the discourse amongst various and conflicting groups of the Ethiopian political landscape over the recent centuries, in particular.
 

On the one side, some advocate building a unified Ethiopia devoid of inward differences and de-emphasising the outward manifestations of these cultural showings mainly expressed through languages. On the other side of the coin are those who believe in a federal system whereby the varied traditions are celebrated and little attempt is made to break down distinctions between the various peoples. They in fact cherish them.
 

The past 16 years were a period of institutionalising this federalist outlook while the years preceding this could more aptly be characterised by unifying themes. While these philosophies differ, there is no contradiction in them cohabitating through open discourse. That is what this country and its people have been deprived of so far. In fact, through conversations they will probably mould into an outcome of compromise; an aspiration of democracy.

The venue for these philosophies to converse has not existed in the recent past. It is only last week that a mood to accommodate the advocates of each was brought forward. This is the Millennium spirit that should be built upon. This appears to be the way ahead. And last week provides a glimmer of what type of spirit will be required to begin.
 

Whether deserved or not, the hopefulness that could be felt leading up to September 11 was the positive precursor needed to create the inclusive mood last week. The question now is how to turn this spirit directed towards the Millennium to the betterment of Ethiopia in general.

Beyond the grand divisions over the interpretations of what is being an Ethiopian, one of the most troubling aspects of Ethiopian society is the feeling of helplessness in striving for a better future. Many people are unmotivated to advance their positions for the sentiment that such labours could bear no fruit. The incentive for personal industriousness is lacking. This is a structural flaw in the way society is organised.

The line of resentment towards others who are perceived to have more opportunities or the feeling that mobility is untouchable, while possibly overblown, is not easy to discard outright. This is a dangerous outlook that is terribly difficult to reverse; but it ought to be changed.
 

The only motivation for one to push on harder is the promise of reward, tangible or intangible. The return for toiling toward a goal is a necessary precursor to such effort. Watching those around you with the target in hand, earned through connection or affiliation is quite a demoralising feeling. Many people harbour an overwhelming attitude of this and it can be changed.

The possibility of mobility is the greatest incentive for one to work hard. Social and economic lines are made to be broken through those willing to try. The type of society where this is possible must be established.

The system of social and economic justice may be easy to construct on paper. Certainly, current philosophies guiding the judicial processes and businesses are by no means perfect. Manipulating these to bring them closer into line with an equality of opportunity outlook is a good first step.
 

When the de jure realm is corrected in its many deficiencies the de facto reality may come closer to the desired outcome. When a rule of law is established blind to backgrounds and circumstances, the mindset of society may become closer to that of believing in the rewards of effort.
 

The type of consensus building required to bring these changes is present in some form in this moment of the new Millennium. It seems it is now or never to perpetuate it.