Adams Morgan, DC; Ethiopian Links

It's good to be staying so close to Adams Morgan, with its book shops, record shops, Ethiopian, Vietnamese and Afghan restaurants.

I think that Quara must have moved....

but that's a fine portrait of Emperor Tewodros.

Why Is There Such A Large Ethiopian Population In The Washington Region? from wamu.org

News from the Ethiopian Embassy in London

"Ethiopians celebrate historic return of Emperor Tewodros’ Hair.  Culture Minister urges Museums to return all Maqdala artefacts to Ethiopia".

Previous posting

Victoria and Albert Museum's Ethiopian treasures; Battle of Magdala

The Ballad of Kassa (Tewodros II)

Come gather round people, a song I will sing

Of Kassa the outlaw, who became a great King.

Raised up from the dust, violent and cruel,

They said he was mad and too reckless to rule.

But he was a great man, born ahead of his day,

To unify Ethiopia there was no other way,

Than to fight and to conquer, to torture or kill

All who refused to submit to his will.

Some called him ‘The Lion’, and he really could roar,

He was raised up by God to reform and restore

All that the Empire had once been before –

A land to be proud of, for rich or for poor.

He wrote asking for aid from the great English Queen,

He wanted advice to make modern machines;

But she never even bothered to send a reply,

So he locked up her envoys in a fortress so high.

The Queen sent an army to set the prisoners free,

Such cannons and soldiers, you never did see;

They captured the fortress, the battle was won,

But Kassa just stood there, and took out his gun.

He would never surrender; he was a brave man and proud,

“I am still King of Kings!” he shouted out loud.

“Have you ever seen a lion just lay down and die?”

He blew out his brains without even a sigh.


Let It Shine On Me


Artform of Ethiopia 


Related (DC): Kalorama


Washington’s systemic streets