It is with a phenomenal sense of nostalgia that I have checked in to be air-bound to Ethiopia, for East Africa. Its curious that I am nostalgic because I know Ethiopia only through the pages of history. But Ethiopia is strategic Africas history, and Africa, my Africa! How will I not feel nostalgic about stepping my foot in Adis when Ethiopia rings proud reflections for me because of one man who lived, reigned and died before I was born - His Majesty, King Haile Selassie; the conquering Lion, who defied the arrogance of an European nation in an age when the entire African continent bowed to the tyranny of colonialism? Haile Selassie fought victorious wars against Italy with his then 12 million inhabitants, Italy quadrupled that size! A fervent Orthodox Christian, when Italy came with chemical weapon to systematically kill and beat Ethopia into submission, the sage went on a solitary pilgrimage to the rock hewn Churches of Lalibela for fasting and prayer, at the risk of being captured. As casualties of chemical weapon became unprecedented he ran to the League of Nations. There facing the biggest crisis of his life he gave his famous speech which earned him Times Man of the Year...
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 12:34:02 +0000