My salute to all of you guys. I am here today to share my feelings on the situation of art in Gambella region. To start with, art can be simply defined as a skill governing a particular human activity or we can say that it is the creation of works of beauty or other special significance of a given society. There are different ways how to define it. Some examples of art are music, painting, theatre, film making and many others.

Meftuha Abas, well know artist and entertainer nationwide in Ethiopia. She is from Harar Oromo. She became member of Adei Ababa Kinet Group in 1980 EE (1988) that is where Abang Paul met and trained her with Gambella cultures and dances. She used to be a member of the Goha Misrak Kinet Group in Hara before she became a very famous artist and entertainer of the Ethiopia.                                          Full size

Countries of the world can be classified in different categories based on different factors. Taking economic advancement as yardstick, one can say that there are two big groups of countries. There are those which are highly developed and those which are still developing. The developed countries are the ones which are leading the world in terms of economy, politics, technology, research and so forth. Due to their strong economic and political muscles, they can easily influence other nations to their advantages. I can say that in most cases the frictions that are occurring among nations around the world are due to economic and political interests. These days the developed nations have come to realize that no guarantee for them to sustain their dominant in the world by simply sticking on economic and political clouts alone. Besides of these two areas they have started to look at other issues seriously and as a result they are now investing huge amount of money on research and image building.

It is well known that USA is the power house of the world and yet we can see that its government will take whatever measure to redeem its image. The USA government is  spending a lot of money to promote American values around the world through art. It is not by accident that the American musics are the most heard and their films are the most watched all over the world today. Art has changed the image of this country more than what economic and political powers have done combined. As a matter of fact, trying to influence other nations through economic and political manoeuvres have created hatreds and negative image for America as a country and its people in many places these days. But, art has done a magic work for America to the extent that people have started to consider this country as heaven where there is no evil of any sort. In reality, there is poverty, inequality, crime or other vices in America like any other country of planet earth.

In Ethiopia, it was not by chance for the Amharas to sustain their dominant on other ethnic groups. Besides of the political power they have succeeded to promote their agenda by using art and culture as the main instruments. Through art and culture , they have succeeded to change the psyches of other etnic goups to accept that their own languages and cultures are inferior to that of Amhara. Art was and still used as the main instrument to preach about the supermacy of the Amhara culture in Ethiopia. One can say that it is well institutionalized to the extent that it is very difficult to change the situation. But thank God for the change of political system in the country that paved the way for other ethnic groups to get chances to develop their cultures as well with out prejudices. These days, many ethnic groups have travelled long ways in promoting and modernizing their musics and cultures. I can say definitely that it is only Gambella region that didn't use this opportunity to promote its artistic and cultural values so far. It is because of this condition that I raised the question above " whose responsibility to promote the artistic and cultural values of Gambella ? " This is the question every Gambellan has to think about. I know that political matters are the ones that may take the attention of many people. I brought the cases of America and the Amhara in Ethiopia above for Gambellans to think about their own case and see it through those lenses. I do believe that the answer for this question doesn't fall on the shoulders of a single person as there are many stake holders to involve in it.

In my candid opinion, the regional government has the lion share in taking the responsibility. The Governor and his officials should take the lead to mobilize people and make much effort to motivate those who have the artistic skills to do their part. Here, there need be a strong political will. The Governor and his officials should not simply sit in their posh offices warming chairs and doing no thing. They have to look at what other regions of Ethiopia have done in this respect. They shouldn't go far away though. Let them go to Beneshangul - Gumuz and they will be amazed with what is happening in that region which was lagging behind Gambella when the regions were formed many years ago. The present leadership of Gambella should know this fact if they were not too young at that time to understand.

It is my personal view that the diasporas are much better in terms of financial and technological know-how. I know that there are very talented artists in North America who are doing well in music. These guys can contribute a lot by making musical clips that show historical and natural beauties of the reagion. Can't they do it? If the artists of other ethnic groups of Ethiopia can do, what make Gambellans not to do? Is it because they are mentally inferior or they are living in different North America?  I do believe 100% that Gambellan artists can do that like other Ethiopians. I raised these questions to let you think seriously about this noble issue. Like I said above, political will is needed from Gambella leadership to work together with the diasporas. For this to succeed, material and financial resources are necessary. The regional government should allocate a budget for this matter. If need be, the regional government has to pay for some works of musical clips and send them to National TV of Ethiopia so that other Ethiopians and the rest of the world will have a chance to see the beauty of the region. Do you know what the Wolayta zone of Southern Ethiopia has done recently? They have given lands in Sodo town as awards to those who have promoted their music in Ethiopia. You see, where there is a strong leadership things are posisble to be done. I wish all the best for every body. See you next.

Ajwomo Omot can be reached at: radlhw@yahoo.com