The Mediterranean Tragedy

“The tallest grasses surrounding Bilche valley, which was nearly similar with the savanna grasses, touched her skirt and the impact made a sound. Then Galshewa looked at the hole inside her front. At the same time the echo of the birds’ songs reached her ears.”

“The Red Terror began when Mengistu officially began his campaign with a speech in revolution square (formerly and currently Mesqel square) in the heart of Addis Ababa, which included the words “Death to counter revolutionaries! Death to the EPRP!” When he delivered these words, he produced three bottles of what appeared to be blood and smashed them to the ground to show what the revolution to receive arms from the Derg meant. Contrary to expectations, it is of note that these squads did not all side with the Derg or heed its call to track down ‘reactionaries’ and ‘anarchists’. Rather, many followed their own whim and law, in accordance with the political faction that controlled each kebele or factory.”

“The migrants had been drifting in the Mediterranean a day after setting off from their initial place when they spotted the commercial ship and crowded to the side, tipping the wooden fishing vessel. Borra and Adebo were among those who died.”

“All the guests from the other villages arrived to the ceremony in the afternoon with their cattle. A huge arch had been built days before at the place where the honoured man had lived. At the ceremony the cattle were herded through the arch and all people were dancing and singing, accompanied by a lot of gunshots from the warriors, of course.

From time to time a cow or a goat was killed in front of the arch. A cow was traditionally killed by a big stone, a goat by a big stick. The dead cattle would be put in front of the arch during the whole of the ceremony. In the evening the real party began, with dances around the fire, more gunshots and enough meat for all prepared on big camp fires.”