Oromo (Ethiopian) Singer Hachalu Hunderssa's 2013 song "Maalan Jira"? (video & comments about its meaning) with uac

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on Oromo (Ethiopian) singer/songwriter Hachalu Hundessa.

Part II of this series showcases the official YouTube video of "Maalan Jira?" and presents some comments about song's meanings from that video's discussion thread.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/07/information-about-oromo-ethiopian.html for Part I of this series provides some information about Oromo (Ethiopian) singer Hachalu Hundessa, with special focus on his 2013 song "Maalan Jira?"

Hachalu Hundessa was murdered on June 29, 2020. This pancocojams post includes excerpts from several articles about his murder and the subsequent protests in Ethiopia that have occurred after that murder. 

The content of this post is presented for cultural, historical, inspirational, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owner.

Thanks to Hachalu Hunderssa for his musical and cultural legacy. Thanks to all those who are associated with this video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. In addition, thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube. 

RIP Hachalu Hundessa . RIP all those who have been killed or injured as a result of the protests that have been held as a result of  murder.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Hachalu Hundessa - Maalan Jira! **NEW**2015** (Oromo Music)

Oromp3, Jun 4, 2015

Oromo Music
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Statistics as of July 3, 2020 at 9:43 AM EDT
Total # of views- 6,543,466
Total # of likes-19K
Total # of dislikes-3.1K
Total # of comments-4,052

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COMMENTS IN ENGLISH ABOUT WHAT HACHULU HUNDESSA'S SONG "MAALAN JIRA" MEANS
All of these comments are from the discussion thread for this embedded YouTube video. These comments are given in relative chronological order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

1. Mr.B Bird, 2016

"ላልገሎቶ ጉላሌን ከንቱፋ ላልገሎቶ

ኢጋኔ ጋረሳና ጋራጂ ገሙ መሌi wish i know what he was saying. It feels like it's some kind of patriotic or revolutionary song. The melody and all the sound with the Masinko makes it classic. I don't even know how many time i listen to this. Lalgaloto....yep!

**
REPLY

2. DANNY2F1, 2016
"Many LIKES for your comment  Mr. B. Bird! :)       In fact It is a love song having some emotional attachments with  what is going on around Addis/Finfine these days. It is a very touching song for the Oromos specially for those communities who used to live around Finfine but have fallen victim of  land grabbing; and that ultimately  forced them to migrate somewhere else leaving  their families and loved ones behind...etc. 

Now you can imagine what a loving young man (who went through such trauma) would sing for his love mate while he is away; . . . and that is the theme of the song.”…

**

3. Tegegn Jaleta, 2017

"@brooka ape The song belongs to Oromos of Ethiopia and the language is called Afan Oromo. The singer is singing for his  cute girl friend broke up due to some one's interference in their relationship.He is telling that story in regret. It also delivers message how Oromos are being evicted from their ancestral land by dictatorial Ethiopian government in the name of investment."

**

4. Aba Farda, 2018

"An Oromo and Ethiopian Hero. Keep it up. My take on the song:

The title of the song is Maalan Jirra (I ain`t living or missing you)

In his song he deals with the way Addis Ababa/Finfene has developed and still developing and the impact of that process on the people who lived there and still living to day in the surrounding of the city. He talks about the eviction of the indigenous families and what has happened to them, the Tufas, the Abichus, the Gelans etc. He shows their culture – songs, dances and interaction.

People are evicted from their properties to pave ground for what some call development. Ones development could be the destruction of others if it is not crafted carefully and equitably. One of the effects of eviction is the destruction of certain social fabrics leading to displacement, marginalization and immigration, the separation of loved ones.

In this context he sings about his loved one from whom he was separated. His and hers desire and hope to fall one day in each others´ arms on one side and the frustration and despair on the other are vocally and visually articulated.

It is a song for LOVE

It is FOOD for THOUGHT."

****

5. Solomon, 2019
"I was born and raised in the heart of Oromia. My families have been hard core religious and I have been not allowed to listen to music other spiritual songs. But this music broke my heart and can't stop listening. It did bring back my old memories as  flashback. Beautiful music!! Hacalu is my hero!!!

**
REPLY

6. Solomon, 2019
"@@Azeb I would have help out the what all this music is all about, if we are close enough to do so. Anyway it all about love between two young adults being separated from each other.  He ( the singer) says he did everything he could to find her but he could not which broke his heart. And it goes on........Of course his love( the girl also wants to find him but she could not as well)."

****
This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.

Information About Oromo (Ethiopian) Singer/Songwriter And Activist Hachalu Hundessa

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on Oromo (Ethiopian) singer/songwriter Hachalu Hundessa.

Part I in this series provides some information about Oromo (Ethiopian) singer Hachalu Hundessa, with special focus on his 2013 song "Maalan Jira?"

Hachalu Hundessa was murdered on June 29, 2020. This pancocojams post includes excerpts from several articles about his murder and the subsequent protest in Ethiopia that occurred after that murder.  

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/07/oromo-etrhiopian-singer-hachalu.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II showcases the official YouTube video of "Maalan Jira?" and presents some comments about song's meanings from that video's discussion thread.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, historical, inspirational, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owner.

Thanks to Hachalu Hundessa for his musical and cultural legacy. Thanks to all those who are associated with this video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

RIP Hachalu Hundessa . RIP all those who have been killed or injured as a result of the protests that have been held as a result of  murder.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT HACHALU HUNDESSAExcerpt #1

https://qz.com/africa/1875617/ethiopia-oromos-protest-on-hachalu-hundesa-shooting-web-blocked/

Ethiopia is in uproar and its internet blocked over the shooting of a popular Oromo singer

Addis Ababa June 30, 2020

By Zecharias Zelalem

The shooting of Hachalu Hundesa on Monday night in Addis Ababa has shocked the nation, as millions of Ethiopians woke up to the news of the iconic Oromo singer song writer’s murder.

The shooting took place around 9:30 pm local time in the city’s Kality area. Addis Ababa Police said a number of suspects have been detained and that an investigation is ongoing. Thousands of outraged fans across the country have taken to the streets demanding justice. In an attempt to quell the riots and prevent news coverage of them, the Ethiopian government has shut down internet services nationwide.

[...]

Protesting Hachalu

For those who took to the streets, Hachalu was more than just a musician. He was an outspoken revolutionary who used his lyrics to echo the plight of Ethiopia’s long marginalized Oromo people. As such, for the ethnic Oromo, who form just over a third of Ethiopia’s 110 million-strong population, Hachalu was enshrined as a symbol of defiance and resistance.

Hachalu’s lyrics and voice, written in his native Afaan Oromo tongue, garnered him nationwide fame and sold out concerts across Ethiopia and North America whenever he toured. But by far, his most popular single is Maalan Jira, which translates loosely to “what existence is mine.” The song, which describes the displacement of Oromos, resonated at the time of its June 2015 release when the Oromo were campaigning against the planned expansion of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

The relevance of Maalan Jira’s message resonated with protesters who only months later, launched the 2015-16 uprisings that would eventually force the resignation of prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn. It paved the way for Abiy, an Oromo himself, to ascend to the throne and implement the reform protesters across Ethiopia had demanded.

For renowned rights advocate Fatuma Bedhaso, who was a friend of Hachalu’s and is herself of Oromo ancestry, the loss of someone she refers to as the voice of her generation, is particularly painful.

“Hachalu weaved our sorrows and hopes together through his art and quite literally provided us with a road map,” she told Quartz Africa. “He did that with Maalan Jira, the soundtrack of the Oromo protest movement.”

Further endearing Hachalu to the masses, was his refusal to compromise on his beliefs. He remained an outspoken activist and human rights advocate until the very end, despite his success as an artist. In his final interview before his death, he lashed out at prime minister Abiy, likely out of frustration over reports of killings carried out against civilians, by Ethiopian army forces fighting a separatist militia in southern and western Oromia."...

****Excerpt #2

From  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53238206

"More than 80 people have been killed in two days of unrest in Ethiopia following the killing of prominent singer Hachalu Hundessa.

The 34-year-old had emerged as a powerful political voice of the Oromo ethnic group, and had made many enemies during his musical career.

Two suspects were arrested after he was shot dead while driving in the capital, Addis Ababa on Monday evening. However, police have not yet revealed a motive for the killing and no charges have been brought against the suspects.

Hachalu's funeral has taken place in his hometown of Ambo.

BBC Afaan Oromoo's Bekele Atoma writes about the musician who was a thorn in the flesh of successive governments.

[…]

Jailed for five years

One of eight children, Hachalu was born in 1986 in Ambo - a city about 100km (60 miles) west of the capital, Addis Ababa.

It was at the forefront of the campaign by Oromos for self-rule in a nation where they felt repressed under a government that had banned opposition groups and jailed critics.

Hachalu went to school in Ambo, and joined student groups campaigning for freedom.

At the age of 17 in 2003, Hachalu was imprisoned for five years for his political activities.

His father kept his morale high in prison, telling him during visits that "prison makes a man stronger".

Hachalu became increasingly politicised in prison, as he increased his knowledge about Ethiopia's history, including its rule by emperors and autocrats.

[…]

Many other musicians and activists fled into exile fearing persecution under the rule of then-Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and his successor Hailemariam Desalegn but Hachalu remained in Ethiopia and encouraged the youth to stand up for their rights.

One of his songs was about how he fell in love with a girl who was proud of her identity and was willing to die for it.

'Gallant warriors and horsemen'

His second album Waa'ee Keenya (Our Plight) was released in 2013 while he was on a tour in the US. It became the best-selling African album on Amazon at the time.

Two years later, he released a powerful single, Maalan Jira? (What existence is mine?), referring to the eviction of Oromos from Addis Ababa and its surrounding areas, after the government decided to expand the boundaries of the city.

For Hachalu, the 2015 displacements showed that history was repeating itself.

He shared the view of Oromo historians that what is currently known as Addis Ababa was once the home of the Tulama clans of the Oromo, and they were forced out by Emperor Menelik II.

In June, Hachalu angered the emperor's supporters after he accused Menelik II of stealing the horses of Oromos - who see themselves as gallant warriors and horsemen - when he established Addis Ababa as his seat of power, and Ethiopia's capital in 1886.

Hachalu's songs became the anthem of the protest movement which emerged in 2015 to demand an end to the displacement of Oromos.

At a time of heightened protests at the end of 2017, Hachalu released another song.

"Do not wait for help to come from outside, a dream that doesn't come true. Rise, make your horse ready and fight, you are the one close to the palace," he sang, often to cheers from his fans.

'Singer was fearless'

The protests snowballed into a campaign for greater political freedom, culminating with Ahmed Abiy becoming the first Oromo to take the post of prime minister in 2018 with a promise to release all political prisoners, unban opposition groups and hold democratic elections.”

****
Excerpt #3
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/30/world/africa/ethiopia-hachalu-hundessa-dead.html "Hachalu Hundessa, Ethiopian Singer and Activist, Is Shot Dead" By Abdi Latif Dahir

• June 30, 2020

The musician, 34, was known for political songs that provided support for the ethnic Oromo group’s fight against repression and a soundtrack for antigovernment protests

..."The killing drew condemnation from Ethiopian officials and citizens both inside and outside the country, with many remembering how his songs encouraged the country’s ethnic Oromo group to fight against repression. Even though they are Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, the Oromos have long complained of economic and political marginalization.

“Hachalu was the soundtrack of the Oromo revolution, a lyrical genius and an activist who embodied the hopes and aspirations of the Oromo public,” said Awol Allo, a senior law lecturer at Keele University in England who has written extensively about Mr. Hundessa's music.

 His songs, Mr. Allo said, were at the heart  of a groundswell of antigovernment resistance that began in 2015 with street protests in the Oromia region that eventually led to the resignation of the prime minister at the time, Hailemariam Desalegn. Through ballads like "Maalan Jira" (“What existence is mine”) and "Jirraa" (“We are here”), Mr. Hundessa was credited for capturing not just the struggle and frustrations of Oromo protesters but also their dreams for the country, Africa’s second-most populous nation after Nigeria.

“Hachalu was exceptionally courageous and a man of many great talents,” Mr. Allo said in an interview. “His songs mobilized millions of Oromos across Ethiopia.”"...
****
This concludes Part I of this pancocojams series.
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Visitor comments are welcome.

Ethiopia: Abbush Zallaqaa - Fullaanneey [NEW Oromo Music Video 2016] - Burji Tradition

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides some information about the Oromo people in Ethiopia and showcases the official YouTube video of the 2016 Ethiopian Oromo/Burji song  

This post also presents some comments from this video's discussion thread that provide English definitions of the word "Fullaanneey" and provide additional information/opinions about Burji . Omoro people from that video's discussion thread. 

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Abbush Zallaqaa  for his music and thanks to all those who are associated with this music and this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
WARNING: This video includes a scene (at around .024) of a man distraught about his father's death preparing a noose to hang himself. He stops his suicide attempt because he witnesses a group approaching his home dancing and singing this song of encouragement, 

****
INFORMATION ABOUT OROMO PEOPLE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oromo_people

"The Oromo people … are a Cushitic ethnic group and nation native to Ethiopia who speak the Oromo language. They are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia and represent 34.5% of Ethiopia's population.[11] Oromos speak the Oromo language as their mother tongue (also called Afaan Oromoo and Oromiffa), which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family. The word Oromo appeared in European literature for the first time in 1893 and slowly became common in the second half of the 20th century.[12][1]

[…]

The origins and prehistory of the Oromo people prior to the 16th century are based on Oromo oral tradition.[23][24] Older and subsequent colonial era documents mention the Oromo people as Galla, which has now developed derogatory connotations,[25] but these documents were generally written by members of other ethnic groups.[23][24][26]
 

[…]

The Oromo never called themselves "Galla" and resist its use because the term is considered derogatory.[31] They traditionally identified themselves by one of their clans (gosas) and now use the common umbrella term of Oromo which connotes "free born people".[32][33] The word Oromo is derived from Ilm Orma meaning "children of Oromo",[34] or "sons of Men",[35] or "person, stranger".[36] The first known use of the word Oromo to refer to the ethnic group is traceable to 1893.[37]

[…]

The Oromos are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia (34.5% of the population), numbering about 25 million.[11] They are predominantly concentrated in Oromia Region in central Ethiopia, the largest region in the country by both population and area. They speak Afaan Oromo, the official language of Oromia.[55] Oromos constitute the fifth most populous ethnic group among Africans as a whole and the most populous among Horners specifically.[56]

Oromo also have a notable presence in northern Kenya…. There are also Oromo in the former Wollo and Tigray provinces of Ethiopia.[57]

[…]

Abuse of Oromo media is widespread in Ethiopia and reflective of the general oppression Oromos face in the country.[115]

[…]

Various human rights organizations have publicized the government persecution of Oromos in Ethiopia for decades. … These include thousands of peaceful protestors and hundreds of opposition political party members.".... 

-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note:Some comments below include additional information about oromo people. Political statements may be included in some of these comments.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE BURJI LANGUAGE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burji_language#:~:text=Burji%20language%20(alternate%20names%3A%20Bembala,further%20
Burji language (alternate names: Bembala, Bambala, Daashi) is an Afro-Asiatic language spoken by the Burji people who reside in Ethiopia south of Lake Chamo. There are over 46,000 speakers in Ethiopia, and a further 10,400 speakers in Kenya. Burji belongs to the Highland East Cushitic group of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family.[1]
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note: Some comments below include additional information about Burji people and language. Political statements may be included in some of these comments. 

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO - Ethiopia: Abbush Zallaqaa - Fullaanneey [NEW Oromo Music Video 2016] - Burji Tradition




DireTube, May 25, 2016

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Statistics as of June 26, 2020 at 3:25 PM EDT
Total # of views - 3,076,166K
Total # of likes-7.4K
Total # of dislikes-781

Total # of comments-959

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DEFINITION FOR THE BURJI WORD "FULANIYE"
Here are two pinned comments from the discussion thread for this embedded video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYaaMlQDf1Q&list=RDRYaaMlQDf1Q&start_radio=1

1. "The key word of this song "fulaniye" means "never give up" or, it urges people to "persevere" in order to overcome hardships. The word has nothing to do with the Fulani tribe in West Africa." -yaballo1, 2019

**

2. "these are ethiopians not Fulani people from west africa. the name of the song is just a word in the Burji language"- F t 2020

****

OTHER SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
(These comments are numbered for referencing purposes only.

2016

1. esayas tezera

"what doth  it mean  Fullaanneey ?????? Mene malete new"

**
REPLY
2. Addisu Alemayehu Gube

"It means "it is not too late" in Burji language!"
****
2017

3. Abdissa Mengesha

"He is encouraging a desperate person saying "Never Give Up even though the situations are bad." This is from Oromian Burji people."

**

4. yaballo1

..."in this song, Abush is using Afaan Borana - a dialect of Afaan Oromo spoken by the Borana-Oromos of southern Ethiopia & northern Kenya. The key message of his song is expressed via a Borana saying "baraafi furguggoo, gad jedhani dabarsani" [rough translation into Amharic: "bitirina zemen tegonbiso n'ew yemitalefut/yemimeketut" & another saying "obsani, qaallomani" [only those who have patience could become a "qaallu" - a high priest or a king]. Basically, the song exalts the virtue of patience. Though the song is mostly in Afaan Borana, those dancing belong to the Burji tribe - neighbours of the Borana - many of whom are also speakers of the Borana dialect of Afaan Oromo. The song highlights Abush's cross-cultural talents both in songs & dances. Hope that helps."

****
2018

5. Amina Geldo
..."Fulaneeye is Burji song.very proud of Abush talents and creativity"

**6. Melaku Yilma

"The mean theme is "Don not give up hope" keep waiting ...be patient... like it!!...ነገ ሌላ ቀን ነውና ተስፋ አትቁረጥ......
-snip-
"Mean" is a typo for the word "main".

**
7. Zakariye Ali

"I'm an Ethiopian Somali who lives in United States of America.

I love and enjoy  to listen all different kinds of Ethiopian musics.

This traditional song sounds to me  an attractive song but unfortunately I can't understand what does it mean.

can anybody tell main idea of this song?"

**
REPLY
8. yaballo1

..."in this song, Abush is using Afaan Borana - a dialect of Afaan Oromo spoken by the Borana-Oromos of southern Ethiopia & northern Kenya. The key message of his song is expressed via a Borana saying "baraafi furguggoo, gad jedhani dabarsani" [rough translation into Amharic: "bitirina zemen tegonbiso n'ew yemitalefut/yemimeketut; rough translation into English: "the stick (fist) of an adversary/enemy & hard times are best tackled by keeping one's head down"] & another saying "obsani, qaallomani" [only those who have patience could become a "qaallu" - a high priest or a king]. Basically, the song exalts the virtue of patience. Though the song is mostly in Afaan Borana, those dancing belong to the Burji tribe - neighbours of the Borana - many of whom are also speakers of the Borana dialect of Afaan Oromo. The song highlights Abush's cross-cultural talents both in songs & dances. Hope that helps."

**

9. Kuul Five

"Question  are burji  oromo,  am not ethiopian am sudanese I just want to know am sorry if am asking  wrong question"

**
REPLY
10. Work Work, 2019
"Kuul Five hi

Burji is neibours of Oromo Borana but in this song Abush is using Oromo language wz Burji dancing"

**
REPLY
11. oromo oromia, 2019
"the singer is Oromo but those people are not Oromo some of them this speak Oromo"

**

12. yaballo1
...."....Burji are not Oromo but neigbours of the Oromo. Burji are one of the 'bantu tribes' of southern Ethiopia that include the Wolaita, Gamo, Gimira, Kaffa, etc. But, there are many ethnic Burji who live among neighbouring Oromo tribes such as Guji-Oromo & Borana-Oromo &, therefore, speak the Oromo language as their first or second language. Many Burji are linked to Oromos via marriage & define themselves as mixed Burji-Oromo. The ancestors of many of today's Oromo-speaking Burji fled their homeland & settled among the Oromo due to a massive slave-raid & a brutal war of genocide waged on them by the invading armies of Abyssinians/habeshas [northern Ethiopians] during the era of emperor Menelik. To learn more about this last aspect, please try this book: "The Southern Marches of Imperial Ethiopia"; by Donald Lewis Donham & Wendy James; 1986, 2002."

**13. Summerical242

"Are all Oromo dark skin? Because I don't see them often when I search for the "Ethiopian" word on google"

**
REPLY
14. sssssss6361

"These are the original Oromo. As they conquered Habesha and Somali inhabited areas in early 17th century, they mixed with the local ppl. In the East some Oromos look Somali, and in the North some of them look habesha."

**
REPLY
15. yaballo1

"ssssssss6361: No, they are not the original Oromo.  In fact, they are NOT REAL OROMO to start with but members of the 'bantu' Burji tribe who happen to speak the Oromo language. …. The 'real Oromos' are of the same origin or phenotype [physical appearance] as their Somali cousins. I said 'real Oromos' because, like among the Somalis, there are lots of bantu-looking tribes who have been incorporated into Oromo tribes. Got it? Good."

**
REPLY

16. sssssss6361

"yaballo1  Oromos are omotic looking people. They are cousins of Sidama people.  Have you seen what Sidama people look like? The Somali looking Oromos are in fact Issa Somalis who were assimilated into Oromo society during the Oromo expansion.  Go to Harar and you can tell the oromos as many of them look Southern Ethiopians. It is a fact."

**
17. yaballo1

… "not all Oromos are similar to Shoa-Oromos you had in mind who carry sticks to dance. Oromo tribes like the Guji-Oromo & Borana-Oromo have far more in common with tribes in southern Ethiopia than Oromo tribes in Shoa or Wollega who, obviously, share a great deal with their Amhara neighbours in terms of dress, food, culture, looks, etc. The Bacho-Oromo from near Addis Ababa share lots of things with their Guraghe neighbours, including their dance style. Oromo tribes bordering on the Somalis also share many things with their Somali neighbours. The most southerly Oromo tribe is called 'Orma' & live along the 'Tana river' in southern Kenya, all the way to the shores of the Indian Ocean. Members of the Orma-Oromo tribe have far more in common with their Swahili-speaking Bantu neighbours of Kenya/Tanzania than with other Oromos or Ethiopians. The same is also true in reverse. Many non-Oromo tribes bordering on Oromo tribes [eg. Konso, Burji, Hamar, Sidama, Gedeo, etc] share many aspects of culture+language with their Oromo neighbours. Culture tends to be fluid - more so in Ethiopia & Africa… Here is a MAP showing the rough distribution of Afaan-Oromo speaking communities in Ethiopia & Kenya. There are Oromo-speaking communities in southern Somalia too but these have more or less been assimilated into Somali culture. MAP: http://ayyaantuu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/oromodia.jpg"
-snip-
This link is no longer active. 

****
2019

18. bate birhanu

"Fulaaneyee!,,,,The Song actually Means,,,,"Never Give  Up",,,,,,,with Burji Culture from Ethiopia!,,all the Way to Moyale,,to Marsabit,,to Nairobi Kenya,,,,,

The Song Encourages those who are Far from their Ethiopian Home ,,,,they Should Work Hard,never give up,use time in a good way, ,,,and Remembering where they Come From,,,,,,"Fullaneyee Means the "past",,,,may be you were in a Situation where you could do nothing and in no way you can get Help,,and GOD Helps you then ,,,,,You must remember it,learn the Lessons then YOU MUST NOT LIVE IN IT!,,,,,Thanks ALOT!,,,,,,,BATE BIRHANU WATA"
**

19. Subscribers Without Video
"The singer is borana but not the dancers"

**
REPLY
20. Bat today

"@Subscribers Without Video no difference both oromo"

**
REPLY
Subscribers Without Video

21. "@Bat today burjis and boranas are very different people from looks to culture and language"

**
REPLY

22. Xyz
…."bush himself is ethnically burji son...though was raised in a borana majority region

**

23. ኄኖክ ኃይሉ

"@Baraket Ermeyas Please dont try this tribal stuff. He is Ethiopian before Oromo"

**
REPLY
24. Imro 9000

"First of all, he is Oromoo and second Ethiopia 🇪🇹"

**
25. REPLY 

yaballo1, 2020
"@ኄኖክ ኃይሉ - NO! Abush is NOT an Ethiopian before being an Oromo/Burji! ..Being an Ethiopian is a vague & intangible concept that makes zero sense to the 80+ tribes that speak their own languages & had been forced to be part of an artificially & Amhara-created empire of permanent miseries called Ethiopia. Abush was born into an Oromo (Borana) speaking family & community. Therefore, logic suggests that he is FIRST Oromo/Burji &, then, something else. OK?"

**
26. Jeremi J

"Abush said the word has a Burji origin."

****
2020

27. Fantu Abadir

"It is basically a song of encouragement to those with hardship in their lives.

Specially poor farmers.

He is saying that better days will come. The sun will shine again.

So please don't give up.

I hope that helps."

****
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The Global Reach Of Ethiopian Tigrayan Singer Ephrem Amare's Love Song " 'Sey" (Part II - comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on Ethiopian Tigrayan singer Ephrem Amare's 2018 hit love song " 'Sey".

Part II showcases the 2018 official YouTube video of the love song " 'Sey " by  Ethiopian Tigrayan singer Ephrem Amare. Part II also provides some comments from that video's discussion thread. Many of those comments document the global reach of that song.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/06/youtube-video-of-ethiopian-tigrayan_83.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. Part I provides information about the Tigrayan people of Ethiopia and Eritrea and information about the Tigrinya language.

Part I also showcases the 2018 official YouTube video of the love song " 'Sey " by  Ethiopian Tigrayan singer Ephrem Amare.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Ephrem Amare for his music and thanks to all those who are associated with this music and this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

****

SHOWCASE VIDEO - Ephrem Amare - 'Sey (Official Video) | 'ሰይ - Ethiopian Music 2018

ADMAS MUSIC, September 7, 2018

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

Many of the comments in this compilation include the commenter's nation, region, and/or ethnic group. Among the other comments that are included in this compilation are comments that express Ethiopian's pride in the diversity of their nation and comments that express the connection that the commenters feel toward another African nation or nations, and particularly toward another East African nation or East African nations.

A small portion of this song's lyrics are also included in a few of these comments.  

I read A LOT of the comments in this discussion thread and I believe that I've included at least one example of every nation and/or every ethnic group that is mentioned in the comments that I read. More than one comment may be included for some nations/ethnic groups. (Full disclosure: I included a longish comment [#52] that I wrote in response to a comment about why people mention where they are from in their comments.  

Except for a few comments, I have purposely omitted comments that are political. I also purposely omitted comments that include profanity, and/or that are argumentative or insulting toward a nation and/or an ethnic group.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

2019

1. Haile Kassa
"wowww powerful tigrigna muzic , I  never seen such a wonderful tigrigna muzic everything is perfect song;dressing;video;beautiful ppl...keep it up."

**
2. Abdullahi Abdi

"I am from republic of somalia 🇸🇴🇸🇴.

Don't undrestand but really very nice."

**
3. kemeria hassen

"Everything about this song is perfect. I can’t get enough of it. I don’t understand Tigergna but I think he’s saying I’m glad I found, love you. I’m lucky. My best friend is from Mekele. Correct me if I’m wrong. Any way what ever he said It’s beautiful song. Keep it up Efu!!!! We’ll except you with another extraordinary work just like this one"

**
REPLY 

4. Hilina Tedla

"U right"

**

5. Elsabet Wedajo
"I thought he is saying "proud to love you and am happy" am I correct?"

**

6. Frezgi Hameroha

"you get it right.....let me add a little bit more...

ለልቤ እንኳንም አፍቅሬ ጥሩ ነገር አደረኩላት"
-snip-
Google translate from Amharic to English
"I even loved my heart and did good things for her"

**
REPLY

7. BT Tube

"u r right ok"

**
REPLY

8. Hilina Tedla, 2020

"Yes,plus I'm lucky I found you... I have done everything to find you...finally got you"

**

9. burhan nura
"Listening to All the way from Uk. I’m gonna book a ticket, to landing Tigray mekelle"

**

10. Ye wollo konjo
"My fav tigrgna song even if I can’t understand what he said but l always hear tigrgna song

Am ur biggest fan from USA 🇺🇸 bro 💗👌👍🏻🙏"

**
REPLY 

11, Filmon T

"Basically the chorus says i struggled so hard to find u. Im grateful i fell in love"

**

12. Hayat Siraj

"እኔ ጉራጌ ነኝ

እኔ አማራ ነኝ

እኔ ኦሮሞ ነኝ

እኔ ትግሬ ነኝ

ሁሉ ሀገሬ ኢቶፕያ ናት

ዘፈኑ ተመችቶኛል"
-snip-
Google translate from Amharic to English

"I am a Guru

I'm Amhara

I am an Oromo

I am struggling

All my country is Ethiopia

I like the song
**
REPLY
13. negestsaba, 

"Hayat Siraj - I second that"

**
REPLY
14. ተመስገን ኣምላኬ Aill

ኣናመሰግናለን ወድሜ ሁሉ የኛነው

-snip-
Google translate  from Amharic to English

Thank You God Aill [commenter's name]

"Thank you and we are all the same"

**

REPLY

15. Muneera Labeeb, 2020

🌹🌹🌹🇪🇹🇪🇹

**
REPLY

16. Zenebech Zenebech, 2020

Iove.. Ethiopia🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹

**
REPLY

17. Emaye, 2020

"Yes! I am that I am."

**
18. kemeria hassen

"Can you believe this song had been listened over 17 Million. This shows we like each other. Nothing can break us!!!

I love you Man for Uniting us"

**
REPLY
19. Ma B

"Kemeria hassen yes we Ethiopian's are beautiful together ♥ ♥ ♥ one love!♥ ♥ ♥"

**
REPLY

20. kemeria hassen

"Ma B
True our differences should be our beauty and strength. Listening this song and many other different Ethiopian cultural song always made me think proud of being Ethiopian"

**
REPLY
21. Ma B

"@kemeria hassen Yes our diversity is our beauty ♥ our diversity makes us unique! But I don't think many people understands it. I respect all Ethiopian with equal eye. I love them all♥♥♥"

**
REPLY 

22. Solian Solian

"EXACTLY I AM ETHIOPIAB GURAGY BUT I LOVE TEGERYY  .THAT IS HOW  GOD CREATE  US NO ONE GOING TO CHANGE OUR BLOOD .WE ARE MIX WITH EVERY THING. EMOTIONALLY  WE ARE  VERY   ATTACHED  ONE TO  ANOTHER"

**

23. Bobaman Tv. October 2019
"Now 19M👀views congratulations Ephrem 👑 from Eritrea 🇪🇷"

**

24. Wedi Eri
"Great Work Ephrem!!!

Your Taking Tigrinya Music onto Another Level 🔥🔥🔥"

**
REPLY
25. Biniam Abrha, May 2020
"booommmmm 25 million.  the most viewed tigrgina song ever ? I guess it is ."

**
REPLY
26. Youth Revolution, 2020
"Majority of the viewers the 25 million are none Tigringna speaking people coz the song is very beautiful."

**

REPLY
27. Biniam Abrha, 2020
"@Youth Revolution did I say the viewers are only tigrgina speakers? no ,regardless who are the viewers , it is the most viewed tigrgina song till to date on you tube.

**
REPLY
28. bijjare ebba

"Ephrem Amare makes us one nation  by sigle clip as Bob Marley makes world one nation"

**
29. Amid Hashimov

"Nice! Hello to Ethiopians from Azerbaijan. I liked it"

**

REPLY
30. Jamila Jamila

"Thanks bro"

**
REPLY
31. Daniel Yilma, 2020

"We love azeri people much love bro"

**

32. tahiri vision
"Waw waw nice i'am from morocco 😍"

**

33. suhaila bessa
"I'm from Sudan , I'm in love with Ethiopian songs , this one remembers me that days that I've been in Addis ababa❤❤🙏 wonderful people"

**
REPLY

34. Wehazit Kiflay, 2020
"Thanks bro we love you too"

**

35. Simon Freeman
"I am from Sudan and Ethiopia inside my heart"

**
REPLY
36. Joseph Messiah, 2020
"We love you. 🇪🇹❤️🇵🇸"

-snip-
“ET” = Ethiopia’ “PS” =”Palestinian Territory”

**
REPLY

37. Martha Michael, 2020
"Thank you neighbor!"

**
REPLY

38. Ahakim Seman

"Sudan is in our hearts too brother.."

**
39.  Live your Life
"I am from Pakistan . I love Ethiopian music and  people."

**
REPLY

40. Emebet Adane

"Thank you its tigrgna song"

**

41. Yonas Tekeste
"We Eritreans Love you Tigray people, The Origin of Ethiopian civilization and the center of Axumite Empire. selam mmxau des iluna yu. abet zelo hagos, zelo nafkot, zelo ngdi zelo mthwwas, ymelaalna. Ow and I am a big fan of Efrem Amare."

**
REPLY

42. muller nafkot Mulualem

"u too our brothers"

**

43. nassir omer
"እኔ ደሞ ከ ካዛኪስታን... የኢትዮጵያ ሙዚቃና ህዝቡን ውድድ ነው የማድርገው በትለይ እነዛ ትግሬ ቅማላሞች 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣"

-snip-
Google translate from Amharic to English"I am from Kazakhstan ... Ethiopian music and its people."

**

44. Shaggee Oro
"I am oromo ❤💚❤ I love Tigrigna music  i don't care about politics 😍😍😍👍"

**
REPLY

45. Gelatia Youtube

"Shaggee oromoo we are in entertaining mood don't spoil it 😉we don't care wether you are Amahara, Tigra, Gurage, Somalia Orom music has got no race, clan religion...music brings all people together."

**
REPLY
46. Sarah Adera, 2020
"That's right my brother. Am a tigrae and I love oromo very much"

**

47. Abebe Tekle
"I am from Nepal. I really love this song and his voice."

**
REPLY

48 ወዲ ዓፈራ
"Kkkkkkk am from india"
-snip-
In some non-English language cultures, "kkk" (and additional "k's) means "laughs", the same as "ha ha ha".

**

49. Lebo Sebatjane

"Am from SA so in love with Ethiopian music and the way they dance lovely"
-snip-
"SA"- the nation of South Africa

**
50. abigail awasso

"I don’t really understand why some comments says I am from here and there we all human just enjoy the beats"

**
REPLY
51. Roman Abate, 2020
"The magic of music is universal."

**
REPLY

52. Azizi Powell, 2020
"abigail awasso, I'm African American.

I agree with the end of your comment. We are all human and should take time to enjoy the music. However, I like reading comments that identify where the person is from and/or his or her ethnic group. That documents the global reach of the singer and the song, and also shows that good music can be universally accepted and enjoyed. I also like comments that explain what the song is about-particularly if those comments are in English (since unfortunately it's the only language I understand).

Sometimes -as is the case with this discussion thread, some comments provide some information about the nation the singer is from. I'm learning more about various Ethiopian ethnic groups and about the Tigrigna language in Ethiopian and in Eritrea from reading these comments (and then looking up additional information online. Although I confess I mostly read comments in English, I sometimes use the Google translate feature to translate a comment in another language , but I don't know how accurate that is.

 I've subscribed to this channel which I happened upon by "surfing" YouTube to find contemporary Ethiopian music.  Thank you Ephrem Amare and thanks to all those associated with this high quality song and video!

Peace & love and  keep on keeping on!

**

53. Abdillah Soimadou
"Oh my god i like Éthiopie music  ( tigre) i l love grils Éthiopie konjo.  I am frome comores i living European 😚😚😚😍😍😍💪💪💪💪💿🎤🎤"

**

54. Impress

"this song just sends a joy shiver into my spine🔥..more love from Kenya👊"

**

55. Omarion XB

"from somalia and i one thing i aggre tigrigna music is best music of all time  even if u dont understand it makes you to dance  respect to all my ethiopian  brothers nd sisters"

**

56. Sabadin Abire

"I am Ethiopia from Scotland love this song 🙌🙌"

**
57. Musty Mo

"A love Ethiopin people mo from Sudan 🇸🇩 one love 🇪🇹🇯🇲🇸🇩"
-snip-
"ET"= "Ethiopia"; "JM"= "Jamaica"; "SD" = "Sudan"

**
REPLY 

58. Haftamu Addisu

"Musty Mo jah man one love ❤🙏"

**
REPLY
59. Mawlid Rashid

"Musty Mo oh yeah we are east Africa one love"

**

60. PRETTY XALIMO

"Love from  Somalia. Ephrem  is DOPE"

**
REPLY 

61. Zufan Haile

"😘😘😘😘😘"

**

62. Ibra Isshag
"i miss this song from chad God bless you all Africa n people"

**
REPLY 

63. ጋልዞም ተጋሩ

"thanx you may brather l love you all African"

 **

64. Nadia Tsegga

"I love this song I'm eritrean born in U.S. and I cant stop listening to this song! Amazing I need to hear more!"

****

2020

65. kndalem gubena
"I am from canada

Please tell me what does it mean  "sey" "
-snip-
No one answered this request yet. If you know what "'sey" means, please share that information on that discussion thread and/or in the comment section below for this post. Thanks!

**

66. gambo zubiii
"Am a Nigerian but I so much love Ethiopian music. Their songs so full of love and a sense of unity through their dancing steps."

**

67. Anwar Mohamed

"I'm from south africa i love Ethiopian music so much 🎶🎧"

**

68. Omar Al

"I love ethiopian people from Guînes🇬🇳"

**
REPLY

69. ኄኖክ ኃይሉ

"bless u bro one love"

**

70. Abdullahi Salad
"I am from🇸🇴🇸🇴🇸🇴 somalia we love Ethiopia song"

**
REPLY
71. Maya Johnson

"Abdullahi Salad I love Somali songs too❤️🇪🇹"

 **

72. Hasna Mahamoud
"Love u all from Djibouti"

**

73. Abdallah Hissen
"I love ❤️ Ethiopiane people from chad 🇹🇩"

** 

74. Cal Irons

"I'm an american white boy, I can't stop listening to this beautiful music. Blessings to all you beautiful ethiopian people"

**
REPLY
75. 메디Maddie

"Lol...your comment made me laugh.

Don't just stop at listening go ahead and Learn our dance!"

**
REPLY
76. Annabell A

"Cal Irons this is Eritrean music ! Not Ethiopian similar but not the same language"

**
REPLY
77. 메디Maddie

"@Annabell A  lol no check your resources. The singer is Ethiopian from Tigray region you might have thought it is Eritrean because he is Singing in Tigrinya which is the official language in Eritrea.  Tigray region and speak Tigrinya like people in Eritrea.  In the end Eritrea was a part of Ethiopia. We share alot in common besides just borders"

**
REPLY
78. JOUHAR ABDULJELIL

"@Annabell A  Tigrinya Music from  Tigray Ethiopia"

**

REPLY

79. Roman Abate

"@Nigist Tegenu💃💃💃😘😘😘 who cares for meanings ? That is the magic of Music which makes it universal 😘😘😘💃💃💃💃💃"

**

REPLY
80. Del You

"메디Maddie I’m Chadian but I know Ethiopia and Eritrea same."

**

81. Anusha uthappa
"The most beautiful song!! I don’t understand Tigrinya but I enjoy the music😍 love Ethiopia and Eritrea❤️❤️❤️ from India 🇮🇳"

**
REPLY
82. ዮሴፍ አረጋ ካ ሆሳና

"We love you  to ❤"

**
REPLY

83. henos lakew

"we love indian music too"

**

84. Ros T
"I’m Angolan and I love Ethiopia music even if I don’t understand what they are saying 🤩I just love it 😍"

**

85. Susan Michelle
"Much love ❤️ from Cameroon 🇨🇲"

**

86. Kiyana Latoya Persaud
"I am jamaican but im in loveeee with this"

**

87. Cabdi Bookh

"Im somali but Eritrean music or tigraya music is one of the best music and i enjoy listening it."

**
88. fatii from kanada
"I am from Egypt ilove you Ethiopia people and music Love you Ethiopia 😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘"

**

89. Debajit dutta sharma

"Love from India ♥"

**

90. Babba seckou Bolly
"I love ethiopian people from Mali 🇲🇱"

**

91. Anouar Dn

"Kind of sounds like amazigh music🇲🇦"

-snip-
“MA” = "Mauritius"

**

92. Tamer hosny Deha
"I am from Djibouti i love this singer tigre Nice"

**

93. Funny Boy
"I love habesha songs...from somali"
-snip-
Read the excerpts in the comment section below about the different meanings that have been given to the referent "Habesha".

**

94. hararge men
"I love this song from oromia region"

**

95. Asmare Desta
"I am from Ethiopia but I don’t understand the language but it’s nice music"

**

96. Madda Walaabu

"I'm from Oromo Country  it's lovely Song I like it

But I'm not understand what he's saying"

**
REPLY
97. Youth Revolution

"Unity = Strength  But division = weakness.     BTW the guy is singing about being in love with her and that he is grateful. :D"

**
98. Barou Sacko

"I am from Mali Best song 🙏"

**

99. Rozel Networth

"Here rockin Ethiopian music like i understand a thing much love from UGANDA 🇺🇬🇺🇬"

**
100. B. K, 

"I listened this song 10 times in row , one love Ethio I am Amhara 🌹"
**** 101. Birhanu Gosa Um from the mars. i like this music badly. ****

This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.

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