Born in a village called Zana in Tigray, Ethiopia, Sami Obama is a friendly and open character. He’s easily identified by his massive wavy afro hair style, though sometimes he braids his hair with different styles and looks more elegant.
His Australian name is Samuel Weledaabzgi and his Ethiopian name is Mebrehatom (meaning ‘Light’). His stage name is Sami Obama. School friends in Sydney called him Obama because his ears resembled those of the US President Barack Obama.
Sami Obama Source: Courtesy of SO
He moved to Australia when he was 10 and says his settlement process was not an easy one.
“It was a complete culture shock,” he says. “I grew up in the countryside where we didn't have electricity, so to be in a place where everywhere you go there’s light and buildings – I felt trapped and wanted to go back home.
“Most people would die to get to this country but after sometime of being here they realise there’s no place like home. Don't get me wrong, Australia is a great country and there’s success here that I wouldn't have gotten if I was in Ethiopia, but what I had was the determination and drive to be unique and stand out from the rest.”
Sami knew at an early age that he tended toward the creative arts.
“To be raised in a very small village has given me an opportunity to connect with nature and love,” he says.
The lack of technology pushed him to be creative in keeping himself and other village kids entertained.
“We created games … pretending to be shopkeepers, parents, rich people, soldiers, grandparents. That was what drew me becoming an actor. It was a love I instinctively had before I even laid an eye on a television set.”
Sami says his school life was not hugely interesting as he moved between Melbourne and Sydney. Language was also a barrier as there were few Ethiopian kids at school. He quickly learned English and swamped himself with Western culture, especially music.
In 2012 he had a chance to experience Ethiopia on holiday as a Westernised youngster. But during his stay an infectious song called ‘Sora’ composed with a traditional instrument called a ‘Masinko’, caught his attention. A traditional dance beautifully performed by a young woman also entranced Sami.
From that point he decided to master all Ethiopian traditional dances and bought a massive collection of music to start practicing the dance before his mirror.
“I always give huge credit to our traditional dancers, who I always watch and mimic, mastering the dance every time.”
Sami went on to found the ‘Eskesta Dance Group’ while he took acting classes at night. The group continues to work under the banner of the ‘Bahel Group’ now. Sami regularly performs in major events such as Ethiopian New year festival, community soccer tournaments and other special occasions.
Sami has also found a lever of fame on social media, after uploading dancing videos that gave him huge recognition not only in Australia’s Ethiopian community but also in the US and Europe.
Sami Obama Source: Courtesy of SO
“My first video went viral and people start to recommends me to move to US where there is more opportunity and demand for coloured artists,” he says. “I felt extremely sad that people thought I should give up and move halfway across the world to get an opportunity when we have an industry here with a multitude of African talents.”
That said, Sami believes there are issues of discrimination that persist here and need resolving. He says there are more and more inclusive movements happening and diverse artists coming together and creating content.
“We are stronger together instead of waiting for someone else to give us that opportunity,” he says. “I stick with my belief that I am a versatile artist. I am a traditional dancer, actor, a model and writer. I’ve taken part in 800 Words on Channel 7, Wolf Creek on Stan and an Ethiopian version of ‘The way you make me feel’ watched by over one million people on YouTube, and those are successes to me.”
Furthermore, Sami acted in a major role in the film ‘Found in a Dream’ and has now produced a four-part pilot comedy series called ‘Jebena Genie’ and hopes it will find a home on SBS, ABC or Netflix.
“This series will bring light and inspire those who have been told to give up on their dreams,” he says. “It's time to be proactive in what we believe in, stand together and create magic.
“It's time to tell our own story our own way. It doesn’t always have to be about ethnicity. We are stronger and more versatile than a stereotype, and now it’s time to show Australia what we have. This is for those who came before us, and those who will come after us.”
Found in a Dream Source: Courtesy of Helen Kassa
Source: Courtesy of SAMI & SAMI
