YiGZAW

Adwa victory day. March 2nd📍🇪🇹
Ethiopian native
Swedish citizen

Yigzaw
Yonas

When I was little my mother used to tell me deep stories of our ancestors and what that day would mean to Ethiopians in the generations after.

Growing up it could be common to hear people have a pity image of Ethiopia. A poor country. Starving people. Nothing to offer to the world. A quiet but constant reminder that it was nothing to be proud of in coming from an African country.

It created an inner conflict in me. One side were the great stories of the victory in Adwa 1896 2nd of march when my ancestors fought with strength, resilience and dignity at the battle. On the other side were the subtle and not-so-subtle looks in European rooms that tried to reduce that history to stereotypes.

And the truth? I can still see those similar looks here and then. They may come in different forms now, more polished, more disguised, but felt all the same.

Celebrating the Adwa day is to me more than a historic victory day against colonization attempts. But a day to remember when I need to channel strength, resilience and courage when facing the same colonial perceptions in rooms I may walk in.

My mother was right. We do not bow. Knowing where you come from matters. I am the one to decide how to create the interpretations of my culture and myself.

photo by the best of the best /

thank you Jehova.

southeast asian cuisine 🇹🇭🧘🏾‍♂️

Where do we rendezvous overseas? 🌍🏎️

cc.
photo. .thoren
silver surfer teeth.

Pt. l out now 🎧