'Happy new 2007' celebrated in true Ethiopian fashion

Ethiopia celebrated its new year last week marking the beginning of the year 2007 according to the Ethiopian calendar.

Present at the event which was held at Sheba Lounge Mombasa was the county’s governor Hassan Joho, the Ethiopian ambassador to Kenya Shemusdin Ahmed among other invited guests.

Revelers, adorned in their traditional attire Gabbi for the men and Natella for the women, graced the event that was punctuated with Ethiopian music and traditional cuisines.

Wondwossen Kassie, a business man and also the owner of the only Ethiopian restaurant in Mombasa called Sheba Lounge said that he was humbled and thanked the local community for appreciating Ethiopian food and their culture.

“This is the third time I have organised the New Year celebrations of Ethiopia in Mombasa and each year it is getting bigger and better. I want it to turn into a big cultural event in the future. 

Being an investor myself I can assure anyone that business has been good, and although there has been a decline in the number of foreign visitors, Kenyans are finally appreciating what they have and have been keeping investors in the hospitality industry afloat,” said Wondwossen.

‘SHEDDING OFF YEARS’

Most non Ethiopians at the fete were feeling excited to shed off seven years from their current birth age.

“We appreciate the Ethiopian business community that is in Mombasa and I am honoured that they choose to host this auspicious event right here in county 001 … That put aside I know some of you will have to surrender their ID’s when we take off seven years from your age,” jested Joho.

In the menu was an Ethiopian national dish called the Wat (generally a spicy stew) accompanied by Injera (traditional large spongy pancake made of Teff flour and water).

Te Kenyans invited had a chance to indulge their nyama choma-used taste buds to a new experience with the many variety of beef, lamb, vegetables, lentils, and ground split peas stewed with hot spice called Berbere.

(Berbere is made of dried red hot pepper, herbs, spices, dried onions, dried garlic and salt ingredients).

Wat is served by placing it on top of the injera which is served in a mesob (large basket tray). The food is eaten with fingers by tearing off a piece of injera and dipping it in the wat.

“Apart from the language barrier, our culture is very simple, to us eating is like a ceremony and mostly the whole family must sit together to enjoy the food,” said Wondwossen.

After the meal what follows is a traditional drink called Bunna to everyone else it is known as coffee and this is usually served in little cups.

The new year was finally welcomed with song and dance and a little apprehension from the Non-Ethiopians- knowing the fact that when they wake up tomorrow it is going to be 2014.