History: Ethiopian Women in Military Affairs
Dear Tadias,
Warm thanks to the magazine and my most-high regards to
Ms. Tseday Alehegn for her impressive essay on the history
of Ethiopian women in military affairs! This part of our
history had been placed in the back shelves for far too
long. Thank you for bringing it to the forefront. May
I suggest to this obviously talented young woman, with
a bit more research and content, 'Ethiopian Women
in Military Affairs' would make a great book! With
great respect,
Tigist Tebabel
Detroit, Michigan
Dear Editor,
I enjoyed reading Tsedey Alehegn's well researched
and well-written article on the history of Ethiopian women
in military affairs. I commend her for narrating an important
and yet often neglected aspect of Ethiopian history. Please
allow me to make few suggestions:
1. Queen Eleni was the wife of Emperor Baeda Mariam and
not Emperor Zera Yaqob. The error can be traced to Professor
Pankhurst's 'The Ethiopians' who identified
her as the wife of Emperor Zera Yaqob (1433-68). All the
Ethiopian sources identify her as the wife of Emperor Baeda
Mariam (1468-78).
2. Bati Del Wanberra, the wife of Ahmed Ibn Ibrahim or Gragn
Ahmed, ought to be included in your historical list. She
was a great resistant fighter and she accompanied Gragn
Ahmed in his fights against the then government. We Ethiopians
refuse to accept the fact that Gragn Ahmed and Bati Del
Wanberra were Ethiopian Muslims. Otherwise please keep up
the good work.
Ayele Bekerie, PhD
Ithaca, New York
Opinion: Fraud in Prepaid
Phoncards
Hello Tadias,
While reading the article entitled 'Beware of fraud in
prepaid phone card services' a number of things came to
my mind. It
reminded me of all the time that I had to wait to get
a line, unnecessary charges incurred, and the time wasted
to make a simple phone call. Thanks to Nebi for the tips
he gave us. I look forward to reading the next copy of
your magazine.
Wondwosen Mulugeta
Via the internet
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Dear Tadias,
I live in Ethiopia and would like to send my greetings
from the homeland. I was drawn to your article regarding
fraud in
prepaid phone card services. Although I am not familiar
with the issues that the author expressed, I would like
to point out that the best solution is to privatize the
telecommunication service here in Ethiopia. If a privatized
phone service industry is allowed to flourish, there is
no
doubt that prices will fall and we will no longer have
to wait for our brothers, sisters and children in the
States to call us.
Instead, we will call you.
Petros Adugna
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Speak Out: My
Humanitarian Journey to Africa
Congratulations to Ms. Kebede for her humanitarian
journey to West Africa and for sharing with us her diary
entries. I only wish it were longer. My favorite part was
'When we came back from dinner I found out that there
was no water! and the lights went out (welcome to
Africa!).' Isn't it amazing the things that we
take for granted here in the West? Think about it.
Michelle Garrett
San Francisco, California
Dear Maskarm,
Thank you for describing your trip to Benin. I have been
thinking about doing volunteer work in Ethiopia for sometime
now. Reading your article has widened my perspective. First,
it has inspired me to act instead of just thinking about
it. Second, I don't necessarily need to volunteer in
Ethiopia to help those in need. Africa is a
mush bigger place and there are a lot more people in dire
need beyond the boundaries of Ethiopia. It does not mean
that we have to forget the problems in our country, but
rather we need to think globally. Thank you for being a
source of motivation.
Derege G/Meskel
Oakland, California
I am impressed by Maskarm Kebede's adventure
in Africa. It is not the usual Ethiopian experience. When
I came to the
States in the late 70's, it was almost unheard of for
an Ethiopian to be involved in a voluntary mission in some
poor country. It is noteworthy the change in thinking. What
we are witnessing is a remarkably positive new-generation
on the move. I salute you. You are our only hope.
Meron Augustinos
Orange County, California
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