Ethiopianism: Philosophy, religion and life

BY LEULSEGED WORKU

Ethiopia is the symbol of freedom for that very reason it has special place in the

heart of every black people. Ethiopia is born out of the womb of Ethiopianism

where the zeal for ding for national dignity and unity is its essence. Ethiopianism is

born out of those black people who were subjugated because of their religion or

political principles. Ethiopianism is founded under the core values of freedom and

it believes all people are born equal and Africa belongs to Africans. It is a

philosophy that preached spirituality is innate and it an inside out life rather than

the religious ideology that is put by external forces.

Ethiopianism became a generic term to describe a whole range of the black man's

efforts to improve his religious, educational, and political status in society'. This

expresses a problem; it cannot be defined simply as a religious phenomenon. The

rise of the Ethiopian church movement, the first expression of independency in the

African ecclesiastical context, towards the end of the nineteenth century, signified

the emergence of a brand of African church often referred to as 'secessionist'

because Africans left the missions and mission churches to initiate and safeguard

authentic African Christian development through the indigenisation of the church

in governance, leadership and means of expression.

In his article entitled “Ethiopianism in Pan-African perspective”, 1880-1920

Graham A. Duncan, put Ethiopianism in the following way: Ethiopianism refers to

subsequent secessions which occurred in Ethiopian-type churches. Ethiopian roots

can be traced to biblical times and the then known regions of northern Africa. This

Pan-African expression of Christianity was based on the text of Psalm 68:31:

'Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.' It encapsulated a sense of

cultural and political identity amongst black people throughout the African

continent as an affirmation of the place black people has in God's salvific plan. The

text is related to the conversion of the Ethiopian chamberlain (Acts 8:26-40) and

demonstrates how Africa responded to the call of God prior to the arrival of

European Christianity. Ethiopia came to represent the entire African continent and

diaspora both in the sense of political freedom and African leadership and

inspiration.

What is more, in his article, entitled “ Ethiopianism for the current and future

Ethiopia” Professor Mamo Muche indicated that , Ethiopiainsm is beyond

religion. It is lifestyle of black people and a spirit that ignite all black people to

understand the meaning of freedom and black dignity.

When Ethiopianism philosophy started in America and South Africa, black people

and all their value systems-including their religion was considered as evil. In those

times it was common to consider black people as if they are Satan while those

white people angles. For this reason, the black priests were victims of these ill-

conceived racist principles. However, this does not mean that all the black priests

were victims of this racist philosophy. There were enlightened black priests who

could not swallow the idea of considering black as devil and white people as

angels. For this reason, there were individual black priests who revolt against the

system.

After several struggles, these devoted black priests have decided to found a church.

When they search for the right name for their newly established black church,

Ethiopia- whose name is mentioned repeatedly on the bible- has become their

preference.

Ethiopianims might be a spiritual movement. However, it also had a core message

for all black people living all over the world to stand for their right. It was a

philosophy that struggles for the freedom of black people.

Ethiopianism is established based on eight core values: Spiritual freedom, self-

confidence, pride, independence, resisting external pressure, balancing and sharing

spiritual freedom with that of earthly freedom, unity with subjugated people of the

world and humanity.

According to the writer, Ethiopiansm is a philosophical thought that stood for the

freedom of people of the world. The professor further indicated in his letter that,

though other groups have used the principle in corrupted ways, it has helped

several peoples to be free from the yolk of slavery.

Ethiopia was truly taken as a model of freedom for those people who were under

the shadow of slavery. These days, those Western countries might have stretched

their hands to feed hungry Africans. But, Ethiopia has stretched her hands to feed

spiritual bread to enslaved people of the world. This is a good indication that no

matter how hard enemies of Ethiopia tried to undermine the true essence of

Ethiopia, the land will have special place in the heart of every black people and

every enslaved people of the world. The nation has served as a model and stimulus

to fight white supremacy.

Indeed, as it was mentioned once by Prime minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia is

not simply a land that is located in the Eastern corner of Africa. It is a free land that

inspired black people that are found all over the world. It is a land that stimulate all

people that were under the shackle of slavery.

Ethiopia and Ethiopianism are still the inspiration to African people. No matter

how strong the storm they are passing through, no matter how external and internal

forces are trying to undermine the true nature of Ethiopia, the land will prevail.

Ethiopiansm has once inspired people of the world. Now it will inspire Ethiopians

themselves.

Ethiopians have witnessed to the whole world how resistant they are to slavery

several times. Before they conquered the Fascist Italy, Ethiopians have conquered

the white supremacy through Ethiopianism. The land has become model for

equality. After the battle of Adowa, Ethiopia has witnessed itself to the world the

value of freedom. It is still serving as a model of freedom on dignity for Africans

and black people all over the world.

Ethiopianism is not a one season agenda or for particular purpose. Ethiopianism is

a strong foundation for Pan-Africanism that serve as a weapon towards freedom.