Ethiopian & African American Relations: The Case of Melaku E. Bayen and John Robinson
May 21st, 2009 | 
Author: 
Seventy two years ago, African Americans of all classes, regions, genders, and beliefs expressed their opposition to and outrage over the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in various forms and various means.
The invasion aroused African Americans – from intellectuals to common people in the street – more than any other Pan-African-oriented historical events or movements had. It fired the imagination of African Americans and brought to the surface the organic link to their ancestral land and peoples.
1935 was indeed a turning point in the relations between Ethiopia and the African Diaspora. Harris calls 1935 a watershed in the history of African peoples. It was a year when the relations substantively shifted from symbolic to actual interactions.
The massive expression of support for the Ethiopian cause by African Americans has also contributed, in my opinion, to the re-Africanization of Ethiopia. This article attempts to examine the history of the relations between Ethiopians and African Americans by focusing on brief biographies of two great leaders, one from Ethiopia and another one from African America, who made extraordinary contributions to these relations.
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Telegrams from Emperor Haile Selassie I
From the original Voice of Ethiopia
A Message from the Emperor:
In reply to Father Blackett’s telegram to his Imperial Majesty for His birthday in Bath, England the following telegram was received after the meeting of the Celebration Emperor Haile Selassie Birthday Celebration Committee.
“For father Blackett, Please convey to your committee our deep appreciation to their kind message of good wishes.”
Emperor Haile Selassie I
Tags: Genna – Ethiopian Christmas
January 7th
Members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church fast on Christmas Eve before gathering outdoors to pray and chant.
They then move into churches for mass, which can last for over 3 hours. Ethiopians rarely give gifts other than small items such as clothing to children.
After the service is over Ethiopians enjoy dancing, playing sport and feasting on injera wot. Genna field hockey (after which Christmas is named), is sometimes played by males.
