On Saturday, when I was teaching my class at Menagesha, I met W, a hilarious, lively and incredibly mischievous little boy! You see W is likely the smallest child at Menagesha in terms of height, but like all contrasts in life, he strikes fear and terror in the heart of every other child there! The other children are truly afraid of him. He smiles his wicked smile and then without warning and often without provocation, he will plunge forward and attack any other child that looks at him sideways.
He is a spitfire! However, in addition to being the designated bully, W is also a wicked dancer. He was showing me and the other children his dancing skills. He was showing me dances from the Amhara region, the Oromo region and Tigrinya dancing. He also does this thing where he jumps out of his wheelchair, flips the wheelchair on its side climbs on to the wheel of the wheelchair and then spins himself on the wheel in true vintage, break-dancing fashion – all to the beat of the music. He is ridiculously talented (and I have to admit, kinda scary in a Tony Soprano kind of way). Thanks for the dance demonstration W!
This weekend, I also learned a number of Amharic religious and traditional hymns (called Mazmoor – religious hymns) from the children in the recovery ward at Menagesha. These children had just undergone extensive surgery and were still recovering on bed-rest, but this did not prevent them from teaching me a whole host of songs. The lyrics of these songs are as follows:
Song 1:
Amla Kay Balai Baliya – Beara
Azai-no Bownett
Fitzum Azaiye
Mita Bikan Yey – Mazananaiye
Song 2:
Fitzum Azinow Oulet-Tao
Xavier – Tenya Iyar Ago
Song 3:
Kafataari Batachu
Kafataurawn – Balai
Manal – endanchi
Dum-o-la-doo-lay
Song 4 (This song is about love and faith, I think):
Chorus : Fikir Lesallalam Endante Yellam
Kahaleena Geytah Yema Taretta
Igic Fatanew Saragulluchi
Yesat Fallasuwa Yezwal Bajjochew
Verse 1: Ayesha – na – fim
Aworkim Kaatum
Zaarem Yeeno-raal
Maka-du-molto
(Chorus)
Verse 2: Yaagurameraama
Takuralsaamaayoo
Alakooshaashu Kabrooneeya – You
Yemastagaaba
Mabrek-Now Dimsu
Yesi-yon – Najotch
Thanawawatoo
(Chorus)
Verse 3: Aynook – indayetch
Afardoom – Anta
Merkoo – Abazitayay
Tizackalamoto
Endet – e – derke
Biye – alelahim
Fikur – ninna – lezella – alem
(Chorus)
Verse 4: Metazayabeut Megawat-Towgale
Fittret Manennay
Untahe-Iyaley
Yedystamunchay
Yehiltabeytay Zayutinaktol
Abruthol – Feetay
(Chorus)
