(forward) Ancient battle-cry of 'Zeraf, Zeraf' resounds again in Ethiopia
YESHI22
ADDIS ABABA, Feb 9 (AFP) - An ancient battle-cry is resounding again
through Ethiopia as its soldiers battle Eritrean troops along their
1,000-kilometre (600-mile) border.
The Amharic cry of "Zeraf, Zeraf" (meaning "Forward with courage") is
coming from the front lines, and the barracks, and across the airwaves.
It resounded across the land when Moslems and Christians fought in the
16th century, when the battle-cry was already centuries old.
And it rose from thousands of throats when the Abyssinians, as they then
were, defeated the Italians in the famous battle of Adua, in the northwest,
in 1896.
The three "living legends" of Ethiopian music, Tilahun Guessese,
Mahmoud Ahmed et Tamerat Molla, made a tour of the front lines at the
end of July last year to bolster morale, and battle songs are inundating the
air waves.
"Ethiopia, my country, who dares attack you?", one of Tilahun's old
staples, has become a regular background to television reports.
Mahmoud sings: "Oh Mother Ethiopia, respected by the blood of our
parents, may anyone who dares to attack you, perish."
Some of the patriotic songs have survived from the reign of Emperor
Haile Selassie (1929-1974) through the "Red Terror" of Colonel Mengistu
Haile Mariam (1974-1991) to reappear after seven years of rule by a
coalition government under Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
Television is screening programmes demonstrating the "courage" and
"abnegation" of the country's soldiers, from the days of Emperor Menelik
II at the battle of Adua -- when most of the soldiers were, in fact, from what
is now Eritrea -- and the fight against Italy's "invasion" from 1936 to 1941.
Documentaries also cover the 1977-78 Ogaden war, when Mengistu's army
-- with the help of 12,000 Cuban soldiers -- finally repulsed invading Somali
troops under dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
National radio, meanwhile, broadcasts personal messages of
encouragement to soldiers several times a day.
Both radio and television broadcast frequent unity messages and
assurances of victory in Amharic, Tigrigna, Oromigna and English.
The Voice of Eritrea radio station can also be picked up in the Ethiopian
capital.
It broadcasts in Arabic, Tigrigna, Amharic and Oromigna, calling on
Eritreans to defend their country.
ZFanta3590
Thank you so much for the well constructed description of the collective mood
and spirit of Ethiopians as they go through difficult times. In regard to the
choice of the word 'cry' as used in ".... battle-cry of 'Zeraf, Zeraf'
resounds again in Ethiopia"", may I suggest that the battle-cry be replaced by
'BATTLE SONG' for it is a song sang by the brave and often victorious men/women
at war front and or at the end of a war to echo their victory.
This is strictly in the interest of non-Ethiopians, for the rest would
understand the feeling and sentiments 'Zeraf' transmits. I believe 'cry' may
wrongly give state of fear, despair and tears which is not exactly so when
Ethiopians sing the war song 'Zeraf'.
Thanks again for the uplifting message.
Peace.
ZF
def...@my-dejanews.com
zfant...@aol.com (ZFanta3590) wrote:
> Selam Yeshi,
> Thank you so much for the well constructed description
Yeshi,Wonders never end with your country men!!!.
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dagi...@hotmail.com
yes...@aol.com (YESHI22) wrote:
We have heard a lot of Mengistu's Zeraf!! and where did he go??
dagi...@hotmail.com
war...@my-dejanews.com
yes...@aol.com (YESHI22) wrote:
> Ancient battle-cry of 'Zeraf, Zeraf' resounds again in Ethiopia
>
> ADDIS ABABA, Feb 9 (AFP) - An ancient battle-cry is resounding again
> through Ethiopia as its soldiers battle Eritrean troops along their
> 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) border.
>
> The Amharic cry of "Zeraf, Zeraf" (meaning "Forward with courage") is
> coming from the front lines, and the barracks, and across the airwaves.
This guy is lying when he gives the definition of "Zeraf Zeraf". But what is
new? I say it again: lying comes very easily to these people. They are not
concious of it. It is just part of the way they do and say things. The
following was posted at Dehai a couple of days ago when this story appeared.
Ethiopians like to shout battle cries at the top of their voices. It
is a way of psyching themselves into frenzy. This lasts until the
first shots start whizzing by. Then they resort to their superb
running skill - they all become Abebe Bikilas. Mengistu added
shouting slogans, breaking bottles filled with blood, pretending
that it is Eritrean blood. Running was too slow for him, he
flew out of the country.
Incidentally, the word 'zeraf' means 'zerafi' (plunderer, robber).
Traditionally, Ethiopian soldiers loot and burn enemy property. The
feudal army was not paid any salary. This was how it helped itself.
Long after the professional army was introduced the custom still
persisted. Remember weyane told their soldiers to help themselves
with cars that belong to Eritrean fighters? Remember when Asmara
stores and homes were looted by the Ethiopian soldiers in 1975?
Remember what they were doing to snatch ornaments from the noses of
Eritrean women? In 1960, Ethiopian soldiers in the Congo were
billeted overnight in one of the big hotels in the country. The next
day the hotel was left bare. Drapes, blankets, linen, everything was
gone.
Another characteristic Derg and Weyane have in common
is that both are 'haseyti diKumat' (they hurt the weak and
defenseless). That is the sign of cowards and barbarians. See what
they are doing to helpless exchange students? Deliberate bombing of
villages and refugee settlements?
In the meantime, let them live in a world of virtual reality. In
their world of virual reality, they may even be winning the war. Who
knows, tomorrow morning they might declare they have regained virtual
Badme, as they have "captured" Geza Gerehlase, and stop fighting.
Still better, they might wake up into reality and find themselves in
Nairobi. Should they decide to continue the fight they will sooner or
later get the famous Eritrean hook and KO punch. Then, pandemonium
will reign in their camp. Everyday that passes, every battle they
lose, brings them closer to their end.
Berhe