Seattle honors Ethiopian
Legend Tilahun Gessesse

Ethiomedia
Novemeber 25, 2006

The huge turnout at Eagles Hall in Seattle was in honor of Ethiopia's legendary singer Tilahun Gessesse.

Artist and human rights activist Tamagne Beyene is seen helping Tilhaun in his wheelchair in the midst of a crowd of admirers

Comedian Tamagne entertains the crowd with his diverse talents.

Those who couldn't make it to the dancing floor expressed their joy by waving their arms in the air.

The symbol of modern music whose early songs date back to the heady days of Emperor Haile-Selassie before the '70s, Tilahun stole the hearts of young men and women who ruled over the dancing floor for much of the night into the early hours of Saturday.

“Tilahun is a rare talent whose music is enjoyed by different generations living between the era of of boogie-woogie and rap music,” a friend whispered into the ears of this writer with a mix of laugh.

Held at Eagles Hall in Seattle, the Ethiopians, Americans and Canadians of Ethiopian origin danced from their stands, as first-class bottles of liquor flowed endlessly into the glasses of an army of weekend night boozers.

It is a highly publicized fund-raising event the proceeds of which goes into a foundation for the treatment of diabetes, a disease that has turned the 70-year-old Tilahun into an amputee.

Despite the discomfort of acting from a wheelchair, the joyous Tilahun Gessesse played several songs, including a beautiful Oromigna Annisiada, though his first was ‘Yehiwote Hiwot’ (The life of my life), a song more popular than what the current regime says is a national anthem.

Beside the world-class band that accompanied Tilahun, the night was graced by the presence of another renowned Ethiopian singer, Newai Debebe, who played, among others, Maebel, a hit from the mid-'80s.

Tour leader was Tamagne Beyene, undboutedly the most gifted comedian, artist and human rights activist whose appeal for any social action receives a warm reception from the younger generation.

As a matter of principle, Tamagne's songs carry subtle political messages that appeal to Ethiopians to foster unity.

Addressing the crowd in the midst of thounderous cheers, Tamagne said when people are asked about their nationality, they should not break down Ethiopia, and settle for less.

“Who are we?” asked Tamagne, “Ethiopians!” roared back the crowd, which immediately tuned to the songs Tamagne started out in Tigrinya, Amharic, Oromiffa and proceeded to Gurage, Wolaita and others as a symbol of unity in diversity - as opposed to the 'policy of diversity in disunity' of the current regime in Addis.

All said, Seattle on Friday night offered a fitting tribute to the great Tilahun Gessesse, who together with his great band offered a music bonanza for the uniquely beautiful men and women who hailed from that part of the world and settled down in Northwest America.