yeTeddy Afro hager

I read this article, of “Teddy Afro’s joyous welcome” and it is a lovely description of the habesha culture.

I was amazed the first time I visited a hospitalized friend and found that he was surrounded by family and friends 24/7 and that even when he was so tired and the only thing he did was sleeping… people were still there. It is charming, but would probably drive me crazy if I ever become so sick I need to be in a hospital. Where I come from, only the closests relatives and friends visit in hospital, and then only for an hour or two per day.

And the same thing with Teddy. He just left a prison were he most likely hasn’t been alone for one single moment and what happens when he comes home to visit his mom? They of course arrange a welcome home party. Lovely. But hey, the guy is tired. Want to lay down in a sofa, watch a film and meet with his closest friends and relatives. Wants to be free, do whatever he wants without policemen watching him. Instead:

(…) Most of the ladies wore traditional dresses and expressed their gratefulness for Teddy’s release by saying “Elelelele…” His sisters and relatives were busy serving lunch, soft drinks and coffee for every guest whom they knew or never met before.

Many people made the artist busy by asking lots of questions and requesting to be photographed with him. Everyone seems to be in some small wedding party without a bride, as the groom is kissed and hugged by everyone all day.

Though Teddy appears to be very exhausted, he tried his best to be part of his “welcome home party”.  He welcomed and thanked everyone who came to his mother’s place.

One thing that I found very interesting was that he was just saying “okay” to everyone and all kinds of questions, trying to satisfy everyone at the same time.

He appears to have gained a bit of weight, although some of his fans I met in his mom’s house told me that he had gained more than this in prison and this is just his normal weight. (…)

Lovely, isn’t it? Especially the last part about his weight. I love it: “Wow, you are SOOO Fat!” they shout to me when I come back from four weeks vacation in hagere, where I have struggled and fought hard to gain four kilo and only succeded with half of it. It is a compliment. It is common, it is OK to discuss and comment on people’s weight. (so, if you ever go to Ethiopia: be prepared and take no offense.) 

And I guess you were prepared for all of it, Teddy.

As I said, it is charming. Opening your home for fans and unknown people. I would have escaped to a secret place if I were you. And if it had been in any other country it wouldn’t have happened. Which famous popstar would open his family’s home for fans if he were not ethiopian? This is one reason why some love this country so much. And one of the reason why some ferendjis go crazy after some time.

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