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| 09/07/2001 |
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| Meki - Ethiopia |
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| 08°10
N 38°50 E |
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| + 270 |
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Yesterday
night, hyenas seemed crazy, and, joined by the
dogs, yelled all night long. Nicolas didn't
sleep, also because he was bitten on the
anckles by a nasty spider. They're really
swollen and a bit worrying. Greg is getting
better, and suffers less from dyssenteria.
This morning, it was a bit difficult for the
two teachers to work. Fortunately, the
week-end is close.
This afternoon, Sophie,
Theo and Aurelie put the two classes together
in order to give a big theater and dance
lesson. Music is part of the lessons, and
sometimes, we make the pupils sing in order to
keep them aware. Theater, like songs, helps us
to explain concepts sometimes difficult to
understand. That's why we have organised a
play about aids and respecting women.
Check-out the video!
At the end of the day,
Nicolas and Aurelie went for a walk along the
Meki river, following a few children going
home. We noticed the respect the children show
to the eldests. When the children come back
from school, the smallests run to say hello
and carry their satchels, simple plastic bags
with the bare necessities : an exercise book,
a pen, and for the richests, a few books.
Click on the two pictures and
download the VIDEO.
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| RASTAFARIANS
The
Rastafarians follow a way of life
called Rastafari, created in 1920
in Jamaica by Marcus Garvey. He said an
African King would save and help
black people.
Emperor
Haile Selaissie I of Ethiopia was
crowned in 1930. He was seen as
the African King, and Rastafarians
called him Jah and worshipped him
as God. Ras Tafari is indeed Haile
Selassie's name before he became
an Emperor.
Rastafarians
are guided by the culture of
Ethiopia. Their colours (green,
yellow, red) are those of the
Ethiopian flag. Their hair (called
dreadlocks) are a symbol of
strength.
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Wearing a knitted hat
called Tam, men uncover their hair
at Meetings. They do not always
have churches or special buildings
to meet every week. These are led
by a Chaplain, elected for one
year. He has special duties, such
as visiting the sick. Rastafari is
way of life, not a religion, but has many links with the Christian
and Jewish faiths. Rastafarians
study the Bible, especially the
Old Testament.
The
meetings always begin with the
Ethipian National Anthem. Then
people sing typical songs. The
music, called Reggae, is all about
their beliefs and their lives.
Rastafarians hold their hand in a
special way when they pray, to
represent a heart and a spear, the
symbols of peace and war. After
the hymns and prayers, there is
usually a Business Meeting to plan
everyday duties and special
events.
Most
Rastafarians don't eat meat, and
either fish, eggs... only
vegetables and fruit. They believe
a healthy diet is an important
part of a healthy lifestyle.
Rastafarians
believe in :
- One true
God, Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia
- that they
will all return to Africa, their
true home
- that
black people will be free
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| We met
the Bishop of the area, Brother
Yohannes, who told us :
There are two kinds of people,
the one who help the World and
those who destroy it. You're part
of the first.
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ETHIOPIANS:
Population:
62,8 millions
Growth of the
Population (year): 2,4%
Life
expectation: 42 years
Nber of
children per woman: 6,3
Illiterates(Males): 58%
Illiterates
(Females): 68%
ECONOMY
Agriculture:
53%
Industry:
11%
Services: 36%
TECHNOLOGY
3 telephone
lines x 1.000 inhabitants
0,7 computers
x 1.000 inhabitants
0,2 providers
x 10.000 inhabitants
Source:
World Bank 1999/2000
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| Week-end
for all ! We should go to Zway, a
growing little town, 30 miles from
here. We'll visit an italian
mission, ruled by Salesiani
fathers - where Theo went for his
first volunteership mission, 10
years ago. Then we'll go to a lake
full of hippopotamus... We feel
the adventure!
Let's meet in
Chat on Sunday night, at 8.30 pm
GMT for a 'African
Party', dress-up!
Have a nice week-end !
The Team
team@nomadcommunity.com
. loako@hotmail.com
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