When New Year approaches, we often talk about New Year's resolutions. Each of us wishes for a better year filled with hope, great plans, and endeavours.
If a country could speak and were asked its wish, I wonder what it would say.
Perhaps each country would have a different vision for its people, but ultimately, all would wish for peace.
If we were to ask Enat (mother) Ethiopia for her wish during Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year, perhaps her answer would be the same: to see all her children in peace and united.
Though a country may not speak, its voice is echoed through its people. But how can a people speak for a nation when they themselves are divided and in conflict?
Perhaps the answer lies in the way Ethiopians respond to identity today.
In the past, when Ethiopia was mentioned, its ancient and fascinating history was the first thing that came to mind. Crowned as the cradle of humanity, Ethiopia has long been, and continues to be, one of humanity's wonders.
Archaeologists, historians, researchers, and tourists have travelled to Ethiopia, and continue to do so, in search of ancient treasures and mysteries, such as the Ark of the Covenant, said to be kept in a guarded chapel at the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Aksum, watched over by a single monk for life.
These fascinating stories are woven so deeply into Ethiopia's heritage that they speak not only to the country's past, but to the story of humanity.
Even today, many of these mysteries continue to intrigue researchers and remain part of a history still waiting to be fully uncovered.
Alongside its history, Ethiopia's great monuments and landmarks, some listed among UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Aksum, Lalibela, and Harar Jugol, stand as symbols of the nation's rich heritage, civilisation, and legacy.
Moreover, Ethiopia's rulers and leaders also left their mark: among them, Emperor Menelik, whose victory over invading Italian forces at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 made him a symbol of pride and resistance against colonialism.
His leadership, his troops, and the resilience of the Ethiopian people contributed to a victory that shaped Ethiopia's reputation as the pride of Africa, often described as the only African nation never colonised.
Beyond its history and leaders, Ethiopia's identity is rooted in its natural beauty and resources, among nature's greatest gifts.
These include its majestic mountains, highlands, fertile lands, valleys, waters, such as Abbay or the Blue Nile River; its wildlife, including reptiles and mammals, some of which are unique to Ethiopia, such as the Tikur Anbessa or the Black Lion, or the Walia Ibex, symbols of strength, resilience, and pride; its more than 830 bird species, butterflies, and insects.
Together, these and the many other forms and colours of life make Ethiopia distinct in nature, history, and culture, along with its unique climate and calendar: the thirteen months of sunshine.
Ethiopia's identity and beauty are reflected, too, in the lives and traditions of its people, with their 80 diverse distinct languages, various religions, traditions, customs, arts, songs, poems, proverbs, chants, traditional foods and drinks, handmade clothing, tools and artefacts, and their unique ways of communicating and living in community.
From buna (coffee) ceremonies to a respectful and warm welcome of guests, unique hospitality traditions, folk music, storytelling, and gatherings of neighbours, friends, and elders, Ethiopia's identity has always been expressed through the everyday, humble, hard-working lives of its people, an identity shaped not only by history and culture, but by the everyday bonds that connect families and communities.
Today, however, the definition of identity has shifted. It has become increasingly reduced to notions of race, ethnicity, language, and religion.
Although these should represent the richness of Ethiopia, its multiethnic, multicultural, and vibrant society, they have instead become markers of separation or, worse, stratification, discrimination, oppression and violence based on ethnic belonging.
As a result, they have contributed to division, conflict between communities, and the loss of many lives.
Perhaps the journey towards rebuilding trust begins with remembering the values that have carried Ethiopia through its greatest triumphs and most difficult challenges.
Ethiopia's history has long shown that its greatest achievements have come when its people stood together. As the Ethiopian proverb says, "When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion" (Amharic: ድር ቢያብር አንበሳ ያስር).
In a time of growing division, those words remind us that the nation's future and prosperity depend not on what separates its people, but on what unites them.
This is a humble reflection, written from the perspective of an Ethiopian in the diaspora.
It is simply a heartfelt wish for the year ahead: that Ethiopia may find peace where there is conflict, stability where there is instability, understanding where there is misunderstanding, trust where there is mistrust, unity where there is division, abundance where there is scarcity, and love where there is hatred.Nadia V. Pietro Monaia
As the New Year approaches, may we once again find the strength to stand together and remember that Ethiopia is one garden, blooming with many beautiful flowers and trees.
Ethiopia is one garden, blooming with many beautiful flowers and trees. So too are her people, diverse in culture, language and faith, yet belonging to the same garden.Nadia V. Pietro Monaia
Though each flower, grass, and tree differ in colour, shape, form, fragrance, traits, and characteristics, together they create a garden of unique beauty full of life. So too do Ethiopia's people, with many cultures, languages, and faiths.
This diversity has shaped our past, enriches our present, and will strengthen our future.
Our diversity is not our weakness; it is our greatest strength, and the foundation of a united Ethiopia.
Happy Ethiopian New Year!
Nadia V. Pietro Monaia is a PhD research student at the University of Exeter (UK), within the Graduate School of Education at the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, and a member of the Ethiopian diaspora community.
The author can be contacted at nadiamonaia@gmail.com
