Ethiostudy
Formed in September 2000, by active ESAi members and execs, the study group is a free association of young Ethiopians who are eager to learn about the historical, cultural, economical, environmental, political-aspect of our country.
Format
The group meets every other Saturday from 4:30-6:30PM at Sankofa Video and Bookstore Located at 2714 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20001
Two presentations at each meeting:
1) 10 minute historical presentations (optional)
2) 20-30 minute main presentation followed by moderated discussion
Ethiostudy Timeline
Ethiostudy Coordinator: Hiruy Abdu assisted by Nolawi Tadesse and Meseret Taye
October 21, 2000
Atse Tewodros on Reform by Hiruy Abdu
November 4, 2000
at UMD- Presented by Kiber Temesgen “Noah Samara”
November 18, 2000
at ECC-Presented by Aida Muluneh “Ethiopians in Cube”
December 2, 2000
at Sankofa- Presenters- Dr Getachew Metaferia and his wife Dr Maigenet Shifferraw- he co-authored “The Ethiopian revolution of 1974 and the exodus of Ethiopia”s trained human resources” to talk on this subject matter
January 13, 2001
at Sankofa- presenters- Wubeshet and Meklet on Education in Ethiopia
February 10, 2001
at Sankofa- ECC presentation on a “historical aspect of Ethiopia and also a reportback by those who just came back from Ethiopia”
March 25, 2001
at Sankofa- Organizing meeting for the summit
April 7, 2001
Post-summit meeting
April 21, 2001
postponed the Nega Mezlekia book discussion. Discussions on what actions to take in regards to fellow students in Ethiopia
June 23, 2001
Meeting about how to keep Ethiostudy strong (brainstorming)
July 21, 2001
at Sankofa- presenters Seble Seyoum and Seble Wube about “Harar”
July/August 2001
Aids Action Committee formed
August 4, 2001
Presenter Rakeb Abate on “Homelessness, Mental Illness and influence of Yilugnta in Ethiopians in Diaspora”
August 18th
Seble Wube about Tesfaye Lemma and his new book, and Weket beamerika”
September 1, 2001
“Ethiopian Women in Power” by Meseret Taye
September 22, 2001
Ethiostudy 1 Year Anniversary “hiking Trip/Ethiostudy session at Great Falls National Park (topics: Aids Action Committee Update)
Ethiostudy Coordinator- Meseret Taye, assisted by Markos Tadesse and Hiruy Abdu
October 6, 2001
” Guest Presenter “Daniel Mebratu” successful entrepreneur operating in Ethiopia. Some of his ventures include designing and building Elevators, providing traffic light systems in the city and currently he is working on implementing an assembly line to produce personal computers
October 20, 2001
Swearing in ceremony of new ESAI execs
November 3, 2001
“Globalization and its effect on Ethiopia” By Markos Tadesse
November 17, 2001
“Brain Drain” by Behailu Zerihun
November 30, 2001
Planning meeting for ESAi fundraiser
December 15, 2001
Featuring Tesfaye Lemma ( known composer, music and poem writer of Ethiopia) and his New book and life story (with video presentation)
January 12, 2002
Mr SHifferraw Enkubahri- the title of the discussion is “the Ethiocentric view of Africa and the world.” Who is writing Ethiopian History and how do we interpret the writings of historians. (significance of Pagume)
January 19, 2002
Trip to Walter Art Gallery to See Ethiopian Collection- tour w/curator
January 26, 2002
Video Presentation
February 9, 2002
“the Effects of Globalization on Ethiopia: Part II” by Markos Tadesse and Tadesse Belachew
March 9, 2002
ethiostudy postponed for “The Maroons of North and South America, The Caribbean, and Africa” Presented by Sankofa
March 16, 2002
The presenter for this week is Yared Mussie from Norfolk, VA. His presentation is entitled “Ethiopia and Development”. Book Club formed on the same day- Book Selected for the first month “Survival and Modernization: A philosophical Discourse” By Messay Kebede
March 22-24, 2002
Second Annual ESAi Summit
March 22, 2002
“Y”Esai” Volume 1: Official ESAi Journal Released
April 6, 2002
“Sexism and/or the oppression of women in Ethiopian history and culture: Western imposed? Does it exist, and if so to what degree?”
April 18, 2002
first live chat on “Sexisim” on ESAi from Ethiopia
April 20, 2002
“Reading Ethiopian history and how students go about getting the most knowledge out of the available resources” by Hiruy Abdu
April 20, 2002
Ethiostudy members attend Rally against War, Racism, and Globalization.
May 11, 2002
Part I- W/ro Aster Kassa “A woman who is helping Ethiopian Refugees in Kenya with other members of her church”, explained her project
Part II- “A study of the Medieval Ethiopian Life(13th-16th century) using archeological facts and research done in Ethiopia” presented by Brook Abdu
May 12, 2002
special tribute to Haile Gerima for helping ESAi and the Ethiopian community in general
May 26, 2002
three ESAi members (hiruy Abdu, Tensae and Fasika A. Woreta) honored at SEED (Society of Ethiopians Established in the Diaspora), along with long time ESAi advisor Ephraim Isaac
June 15, 2002
Top Ten things that Ethiopia needs for the 21st Century, presentation by Dr Gezhegne Bekele, senior international economist Time
July 3, 2002
Annual Ethiopian Soccer Tournament in DC ESAi “Generation of Action” Event at UMD-Collge Park-College info. Session for High School Students, Open Mic, and ESAi meeting-event covered by VOA w/interviews
ESAI/UFL- fundraiser and AIDS walk around stadium w/ESAi banner
“Y”Esai” (Volume 1) reprinted
July 20, 2002
“Brain Drain” by Behailu Zerihun
August 3, 2002
“Culture and Literature” by Hama Tuma (author of “African Absurdities, politically incorrect articles” (English), Amharic Poetry books “Habeshigna 1 and 2″, “Gitim yetawke”, an Amharic novel “Kedada Chereka”, Poetry in English “Of Spades and Ethiopians and Eating an American”, and a collection of short stories entitled “The Socialist Witchdoctor”.
August 10, 2002
“Oral History Project Workshop” by Hiruy Abdu- how to tell record our own history
August 31, 2002
“Thordros” Makdela Collection and Archaelogoy” by Brook Abdu
September 7, 2002
“AIDS Awareness in action” by Meniya Kiros
September 13, 2002
“Ethiobooks: Free rental” for Ethiostudy members, implemented by Ashenafi Waktola
September 21, 2002
SECOND ANNUAL ETHIOSTUDY HIKING TRIP at Shenandoah National Park- Presentations by Sammy Suraphel aka “Offtrack” on his recent trip to Ethiopia and observations as an American born Ethiopian
Ethiostudy Coordinators elected: Seble Seyoum, Markos Tadesse, and Behailu Zerihun assisted by Meseret Tesfaye
October 5, 2002
The “Gada” system of the Oromo People by Kassa Hailu: presentation “Introduction to languages of Ethiopia” by Hiruy Abdu
October 8, 2002
ESAi, AAC, and Meniya Kiros presents “DJ Kin”s HIV/AIDS Awareness High School Tour” video at Dukem Restaurant
October 12, 2002
Members attended Drought Forum- a fundraiser for famine victims of Afar
October 19, 2002
“A Story of Personal Discovery and Dedication” by Andrew Laurence (Video Presentation). Laso talked about Petition to return Obelisk and reopening Ethiopian museum in DC
November 21, 2002
ESAi Journal “YEsai” Volume 2 released
November 23, 2002
“No easy Walk” which talks about Ethiopia from 1900 to 1974 presented by Hiruy Abdu
November 30, 2002
Blen Art Show
December 6, 2002
Free concert organized by the Aids Action Committee and Meniya Kiros to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS at Ritz (performers GIGI and Getachew Kassa)
December 7, 2002
What: “Education Reforms in Developing Countries” by Meskerem Mulatu; moderated by Tensae Tadesse
January 4, 2003
“Ch”at/Khat and It”s effects on Ethiopia: The Pros and Cons” presented by Seble Seyoum
January 18, 2003
“State of Agriculture in Ethiopia” by Hiruy Abdu
February 1, 2003
“Development in Ethiopia” by Winta Teferi
February 22, 2003
Video presentation of a talk given by famous Indian writer Arundhati Roy as she Speaks Out on Iraq, U.S Foreign Policy, Palestine and Corporate Globalization
March 8, 2003
“Ethiopia and the Evolution of Foreign Relations” by former Ambassador Imru Zeleke
March 15, 2003
“A Day of Literature, Arts, AIDS Awareness and Activism” presented by Imani Harrington (AIDS and Social activist, playwright and performing artist)
March 22, 2003
Ethiostudy JEOPARDY. Topics included history, culture (geography, music, language, food”) etc.
May 2003
“Ethiopian Passages: Dialogues of the Diaspora” at Smithsonian Institute in Washington (One of ESAi”s own artist Aida Muluneh, Photographs featured).
April 12, 2003
“Green Revolution” presented/moderated by Winta Teferi and Wubshet Mehari with short film
April 19, 2003
“Mariam Church Mentoring Program” tutors and tutored, trip to Great Falls, VA Organized by Behailu Zerihun
April 26, 2003
Greener Ethiopia (NGO) presentation on the org and “Sustainable Development”
May 4, 2003
Ethiopian Passages: Dialogues in the Diaspora at Smithsonian Institute Featured
May 10, 2003
“How Ethiopian Students and professionals can volunteer in Ethiopia” by Dr Brook Hailu
June 14, 2003
“Role of Digital Technology for Development in Ethiopia (Africa)- Policy, Private Sector Initiatives and Diaspora” by Mr LIshan Adam, (PHD)
June 27, 2003
“Shengo Bezaf Zuria” by GREENER ETHIOPIA
June 28, 2003
GREEN DAY FOR ETHIOPIA Weekend
July 2003
ESAi at Houston soccer tournament- Oragnized Jeopardy and College Fair
July 19, 2003
“Ethiopia in the past and at the present Time from EPRP point of view” by Merawi Solomon and Tilahun Befikadu
July 26, 2003
Presentation and Book Signing of “Mulu: Rain of Gold” by Ashenafi Waktola
August 2, 2003
“The Environmental Crisis in Ethiopia” (video presentation)
August 9, 2003
“Working in the developmental field in Ethiopia” by Sehin Teferra
August 30, 2003
First Annual ESAi Banquet: Honoring Community Involvement.
September 13, 2003
“New University in Ethiopia in honor of Bob Marley” by Yohannes Bekka
October 4, 2003
“Imagining and Performing Habesha Identity; the Ethiopian and Eritrean diaspora of Washington DC Metropolitan Area” by Mohammed Hamid Mohammed
October 11, 2003
Ethiostudy Hiking Trip- Third Anniversary at Great Falls State Park
October 18, 2003
“Women and Development in Ethiopia” by Ms Meaza Ashenafi (EWLA Founder)
October 26, 2003
“Panel Discussion on The Mental Health of Ethiopians in the US” by ESAi and ECC
November 15, 2003
GENERAL ETHIOPIAN STUDENT MEETING FOR ALL IN THE DC AREA
December 13, 2003
“Important issues facing Students in Ethiopia” discussion
January 4, 2004
“The Effects of Globalization on Ethiopia” by Winta and Seble
January 10, 2004
“Blen Graphicx 2nd Annual Art Show”: Discussion with the artists
January 24, 2004
“The African Brain Drain: A multifaceted problem” by Addisu Mesfin
January 25, 2004
Book signing event by Elias Wondimu of Tsehai Publishers
February 7, 2004
Dissertation on “Marriage and politics in Ethiopian History” by Heran Sereke-Brhan
New Ethiostudy Coordinators Selected: Yodit Beyene, Markos Tadesse and Robel Kassa
March 6, 2004
“Ethiopians in the DC and LA area” by Dr Elisabeth Chacko-ECDC
March 13, 2004
“Capacity-building and human resource development and training” by Charles Teller
March 2004
ESAi 4th Annual Summit in Minnesota
April 10, 2004
briefing of the ESAi Annual Summit that was held in Minnesota
April 24, 2004
Spring Cleaning of Sankofa
May 25, 2004
“Ethiopian Youth National Movement” by Massresha Tilahun
June 12, 2004
“Africa”s place and future in a globalized world” by Fantu Cheru
July 7, 2004
Movie nights Begin at Sankofa “Raising Awareness through Film”
July 17, 2004
Reference Librarian and in charge of the Ethiopian Languages Collection at the African and Middle Eastern Division of the Library of Congress by Fantuh Tiruneh”
March 2005
5th Annual ESAi Summit- Boston
March 2006
6th Annual ESAi Summit- Maryland