Timket Celebration (Epiphany): Purification

 Enkuan Letimket Aderesachu!

Its that time of year where all the tabots (the replica of the Ark of covenant) from all over the country today January 19th (20th on leap years) come out of their churches. Most fast the whole day to celebrate the colorful ceremony of the transportation of the tabot from its church to a designated area in the community (near a stream, river, lake or pool). 

Timket, the Ethiopian Orthodox church's Epiphany, celebrates in remembrance of the baptism of Jesus Christ that was done in river Jordan, by John the baptist. Having gone myself on a pilgrimage to the River Jordan in Israel, & immersed myself in the river to renew my baptism, & seek guidance. I must say Timkets ceremony is one of preservation, prayer, meditation, chanting, & gospel by Ethiopian Orthodox Christian church followers, that renews ones trust, faith, purpose, & hope. 

Most followers dress in the traditional white clothes, especially at Jal Meda & Gonder, overwhelming ones Spirit, mind, body & energy in high vibration & joy.

After the tabots stay the night & before they return, early morning the next day, we hear chants, prayers/meditation & gospel music is performed, to be followed by the blessing of the holy water(tsebel). One can immersing oneself in the pool/stream/water renewing ones baptism vows. The holy water replenishing your mind, body & soul to awaken & face the coming year with renewal, balance & alignment. All is required is to be present, in the moment & let your being feel the intense joy of the believer's & the power of the tabot.

Whether we are part of the celebration all over Ethiopia, or other parts of the world, or in our homes in solitude, May this Timket Celebration renew your heart, & know you are worthy, enough & whole. May you awaken to the majic of being human, made in the image of God. May Gods universe align to bless you with peace, love, joy, & gratitude within. 

I pray we all know how wonderful we are, just being our authentic self, connected in our humanity. Rise up, wash away your past, learn your lessons, & trust that forgivness, compassion, love, faith & gratitude in the present moment is your salvation. It's now time we are grounded in our light within, to serve. 

 You are love, loved, loving & lovable 💜.

Melkam Timket!!

Dutchess@deldeyoch

Adwa 2023 - What is Ethiopianism?

As we celebrate the victory of the Battle of Adwa (March 1st 1896), in remembrance of our forefathers that fought & won over foreign invasion of Ethiopia. I am reflecting on the difference between Force & Power. The Italians, western colonisers & power hungry invaders came with guns, germs, steel, force, disrespect, unconscious aggression, masculine toxicity & a collective egoic minded false state, to dehumanise the ancient Ethiopians, the black race, & the African land where humanity came from.

As the only country in the world that has never been colonised, Ethiopian civilization is an ancient powerful consciousness, protected by myth, mysticism, high energy vibration, orthodoxy, & independence. Our forefathers had faith, love, strategy, vision, courage & a sense of responsibility for the future generations. The leaders, warriors, spiritually enlightened citizens, soldiers, politicians, professionals, spy's, & all citizens of the country were called from every corner of Ethiopia to defend country, land & freedom. They knew a nation without land, home & generational wisdom, would be a lost human being without a sense of being, & would be easily corrupted, influenced & controlled by dark forces that wanted to destroy ancient civilizations they couldn't have power over.

As I reflect on the victory of Adwa, & meditate on its significant impact on my sense of self, my self confidence, my importance in world history, my faith and what it means to be an Ethiopian. More than pride, I feel a sense of being enough, whole & more powerful than I think or imagine. I have a trust in the connectedness from past, present & future, to cleanse, heal & grow my being. I came back to Ethiopia because of Adwa! More than +110million Ethiopians by citizen, association or ancestors lineage all over the world celebrate our beauty in our diversity because of Adwa! Ethiopian woman walk with self awareness & wisdom because of Adwa! I have hope for the begining of the New awakened & evolving Humanity creating a New Earth because of Adwa!

We all forgive but will never forget, the pain, suffering & death of brave citizens of Adwa, that were murdered by humanities insanity. May we not give in to modern colonization! May the courage, wisdom, faith & consciousness of our ancestors translate to our struggles today. We shall overcome, as we are the children of Adwa. We are responsible for ourselves, & no longer defined by how the world wants to see us, as we stand in power, United in power. Adwa is not just the victory of Ethiopia or Africa, it's the call to consciousness that you are enough just for being human.

I am Adwa 🇪🇹

by Dutchess@deldeyoch 

An Abyssinian Walking the Bible: Palestine - Israel - Egypt - Jordan - Ethiopia

PART FOUR: BAHRE DAR

Tana (Blue Nile Source) - A mystical refuge to seekers of Truth!

Like a moth to the flame, Bahire Tana or Lake Tana & surrounding has been attracting spiritual seekers, healers, & mystics since the beginning of time. Seekers came to unlock their potential as a spiritual being in a human body, to serve God. 

Most of the world has been in awe of the location of the source of the the longest river Nile;  a place where scholars of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian faith & Ethiopian intellectuals all over the world have been influenced by; the first home of the Ark of the covenant (in Ethiopia) for over 800 yrs, before being taken to Axum; one of the places where Mary, Joseph & Jesus sought refugee as they were being prosecuted in their home in Palestine; & furthermore the +35 isolated islands makes lake Tana a haven for nature, & a sanctuary for the treasures of Ethiopian History, religion, power, & secrets of the universe.

The source of the Blue Nile is located in the North Western highlands of Ethiopia in the Amhara Regional State of Gojjam. It has been a passion that has driven many explorers since historic times. In ancient Greece, the source of the River Nile that spills out of Alexandria, Egypt was considered as one of the earth’s most compelling mysteries. A Greek historian, Herodotus, wrote about the Nile extensively in 460 BC. He believed the river sprang from between two massive mountains. Likewise, Emperor Nero ordered his explorers to follow the Nile in search of its source. References to the Blue Nile can be found in the Old Testament of the Bible as the River Gihon, which “flows around the whole land of Cush” (as Ethiopia was known to the Hebrews). Most come to this Eden on earth, Bahir dar for solace, reflection, knowledge and to unlock, align & balance the mind, body & spirit. 

My adventure within was no different this Christmas. Having been to Bahir dar in different stages of my life, I wanted to make this trip a more spontaneous adventure. So heading to Lake Tana & Bahir dar now for the 7th time felt like going to my other home. This time for an extended Christmas celebration in gratitude for all the complexity & simplicity of being free to celebrate Jesus's birthday in reflection, contemplation, awareness and having a human experience as a solo woman traveler. I followed my passion of traveling to get more connected with nature, myself & in mindful consciousness of the complex of being a spiritually lead human, as we usher in 2023. 

As a student of life, a lover of truth, & a free spirit seeking to align, balance, be grounded, sharp & connect in love & light to live a spiritual life in a human body. I am always in awe of the mystical simplicity of the lessons of the birth, life & death of Christ, wrapped now in tradition, culture, religion as well as the exploitation of consumerism of the west. As I get older the realization that nothing is permanent, not guaranteed, & consciously choosing to live in awareness, forgiveness, gratitude, compassion & light, to unbecome all that was blocking my authentic self from living an awakened & conscious life, yet detached to be of service to God, is a lifelong lesson. 

What I know for sure is, I travel Solo within whenever my being is seeking the truth, to connect & align to my spirit, to heal & transform my mind, & body, so as to connect to Gods universe.

This trip to Lake Tana & Bahir dar was no exception, it reminded me of my trip to Rishikesh & Haridwar in IndiaI, being mesmerized & cleansed by the Himalayas & the Ganges river.

I have always loved Christmas since I was a child, not just as a long festivity filled holiday I spend with my family, but being reminded of Christ's lessons on how to live in light. Having been raised in a conservative yet liberal family, and going to an international school, I had the unique privilege of celebrating both traditional & western Christmass. My father, the child of ancient religious scholars, warriors, & defenders of faith & country realized very early on he wanted his family to be grounded in the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration with its rituals of the birth of Christ, as well as the western rituals of trees & glitter of a pagan nature.  

My family, strict & conservative Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Christians with liberal ideas & philosophy, went to church during Christmas the whole fasting season, where we learnt the story, light, wisdom, & truth of Jesus Christ's birth, teachings & his resurrection. We would also get real Christmas's trees, decorate them, & get special clothes for the new year. My childhood was full of religious festivity & mindful awareness time to bring in the joy, peace, love, compassion, forgiveness & gratitude deep within, to walk this earth as spiritual beings gifted with a human body. As a conservative living in a socialist country,, I was raised sheltered, guarded, armored, trusting no-one, in survival mode & conservative in my religious practices with family, the community & society, yet liberal & free in my western education & global travels.

Part two coming soon....

By Dutchess@deldeyoch

Meskel Celebration in Ethiopia (Finding of the True Cross)

WOW!! Such an amazing fire cleansing ritual to remind us that love, forgivness & surrendering to light, heals us all.

Ethiopia is unique in its respect to biblical traditions that has been preserved for centuries.

So many people turn up to join the Meskel celebration festivity in each household in Ethiopia. A bonfire is made to burn in the evening, making it such a unique moment of bliss for the family, community & society. The ritual, culture, tradition, festivity, historic significance & spiritually healing importance in society of Meskel Celebration, makes Ethiopia truly the cradle of mankind.

"Meskel" is Ge'ez for "cross". The Ethiopian & Eriterian orthodox church are the only churchs that celibrate the festival known as "Feast of the finding of the holy cross by Demera (burning of a large Bonfire)." Demera is based on the belief that Queen Eleni had a revelation in a dream to finding the cross that Jesus Christ was crucified on.

Christ came to pay for the sins of the world, as well as to show how humanity was meant to live. By being crucified on the cross, we are reminded that Christ is guiding us to live a life knowing we can not only carry our own suffering, but that of others as well, through surrender to love & light. Each of us needs to take total responsibility for our life in however we serve humanity. It starts with the willingness to live knowing we are more powerful than we think, to strive to be selfless & humble. In celebrating Meskel, we are reminded of the importance & significance of the cross to humanity, which is a symbol of surrender, forgivness, love & light.

"He was crucified as the ultimate, blameless sacrifice. He died as the Lamb of God, the atonement for all mankind. He bore the punishment of all our sins, and died, the just for the unjust." - (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18).

"Not only did He die a physical death, but He even experienced separation from God while He was hanging on the cross. Through this sacrifice, all those who believe in Him are able to obtain forgiveness." -(Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)

"Forgiveness is only the beginning. Jesus Himself indicated this very clearly: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” - Luke 9:23.

We celebrate demera by burning of chebo (wood), & going around our homes & the bonfirr with the lit chebo, chanting & singing gospel songs, & adding frankincense before lightening the bonfire. This is the process the Ethiopian Orthodox church follows to reinacts Queen Eleni's dream by looking at the direction of the smoke in the sky & seeing where the cross fell to determine the exactly spot where the Cross had been buried.  Ash from the remains of the fire is collected & used by the faithful to mark their foreheads with the shape of a cross (Ash Wednesday), as a healing source.

Meskel Celibration holds a dear place in the heart of Ethiopians as it's believed that a part of the true Cross has been brought to Ethiopia from Egypt. It is said to be kept at Amba Geshen, which itself has a cross shape...

I am Grateful for this fire cleansing ritual, that reminds us to love & forgive ourselves & others, as well as know you are enough to purify & cleanse ourselves to heal, from negative emotions, anger, hate, vengeance, rage, fear, insecurity & doubt.

May we all have peace, love & joy in our hearts so as we can live in peace, forgivness, love & joy, as well as extend it to our family, community & society...

Enkuan Le Birhane Meskel Beselam Aderesachu!

Dutches Deldeyoch.com

Awaken to your Spiritual Purpose

Your existence is a love letter you write to the world, make it both striking & pure. 

Most of us are living unconsciously resisting the flow of life & what is, mostly in fear, insecurity, doubt & force.  Giving consent to living in an illusionary false state of self, masked. 

When we are not whole from within, wounded, scared & unconscious, the collective egoic minded false sense of self goes into fight, flight, freeze or bury to try to dominate, control, critisize, compare, complain, expect, demand & emotionally attach to the outside for acceptance, love & bliss, which is a false illusion of the future. If your mind, body & emotion is in reactive, impulsive, demanding, overly excited, vengeful, violant towards yourself & others state of exsistance, it leads to illness & eventually to self extinction. 

Don't take other people's toxicity personal.You are only responsible for yourself. Your being is seeking to heal itself, know you are enough, be still, trust the process, trust yourself, focus, train & master the body & mind. Heal yourself in the present, face the dark unchartered territory as it is, you are the light within.

Breath, be still, aware, prayerful, present, vigilant, rooted, peaceful, & sharp. Go within, be disciplined, focused, fearless & courageous, know you are connected, you are not your life situation, you are life itself. Observe, be mindful, & conscious to the space inbetween, that's where your wisdom lays, live in the present.  

Stop looking to the outside insanity for validation, love & value, you are enough just as you are. You are born whole, made in the image of God, & more powerful than you think, be authentic & unique. Become peaceful, joyful & loving unattached yet connected to the universe. 

Self discipline, Self-love, Self care, alertness, focus & being grounded are sacred work. Acknowledge, let go, heal, move on, grow & evolve. You are exactly where you need to be, stretch your hearts loving guidance. Enter a place of Presence, practice Mastery of self, be in Love, kind, humble, at ease, connected, Grateful, Compassionate & Forgiving. You are healing & growing, evolve into your highest self, Awaken❤

May these words be heard. 

Happy New Year 2014

መልካም አዲስ አመት 2014 🇪🇹✨💐

By Dutchess @deldeyoch

Exploring Afar - Awash Oasis

 

"Its election season, you shouldn't travel within Ethiopia.", was the warnings I got from those that knew covid19 lockdown might have hindered my travels, locally & internationally for the last year. But I needed my travel fix out of the highlands of Addis, so Afar it was.

When traveling within Ethiopia one has to be ready for any unforseen circumstances, such as flat tire in the middle of nowhere, Heartburn after eating unknown injera look alike, young kids blocking your vacation spot, and random service oriented weird negotiation, hence its called an adventure. I enjoy the twists and turns of traveling, just like life, you never know the unexpected curve that is thrown infront of you. So be alert, centered, yet flexible and enjoy the ride. Remember leave only your footprints behind, Africa is the land of untamed wildlife, so hold on to your consciousness not your pride.

Life has changed for a lot of us that are used to socializing, go to work to spend every week face to face with human interactions, as well as being in the company of eachother to relieve stress & have complaining session. Yet now being cooped up in homes, eating on desks, and spending too much time on smart phones, and not living life as freely as our ancestors, has impacted our wellbeing, and way of life.

This long weekend of discovery Awash National park, meeting fellow travelers from atleast 7countries, discussing thought provoking ideas, sharing meals and hugs, as well as providing input to the local tourism industry that has been hurt is refreshing. I realised we as humans are social creatures that need love, to be heard and seen, and that we are not meant to be mentally and physically caged.

So deciding to plan a camping trip in the park with fellow campers, being open to the healing powers of the magical hot springs, as well as spending time with local and international explorers was something that no election based fear of instability can diminish. Yes caution of the unforseen is vital, but don't let the mind hijack your intuition as a remarkable being that can think independently, heal itself naturally, and that we have a choice to be more forgiving, grateful, compassionate and loving in living our life as conscious citizens..

Having experienced a few days being immersed, cleansed and purified by the healing powers of the natural hot springs, I pray Ethiopia and the world heals, and we can all move forward as evolved beings choosing love, compassion and vigilance.

Happy travels...

By Dutches@deldeyoch

Hoseana & Himamat - The Passion of Christ🇪🇹

As an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church follower, we celebrate the begining of the Holy week, with the Feast of Hosanna sunday (Palm Sunday). The last week of lenting is known in Ethiopia as “himamat” (passion week). It is the time during which the laity commemorate and live moments of pain & suffering leading to Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. 

We read each year in Saint John’s Gospel the account of the Lord Jesus’ Triumphant Entrance into ancient Jerusalem. The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast of Passover heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”’ (St. John 1:12-15). 

All through the history of the world, men have conquered other men, kingdoms, & weaker neighbors. At times, Emperors and or Kings have strived to conquer the entire world, fightening & dying for wordly power, in unconscious survival mode, part of the collective egoic minded false state, trying to compete, control & compare. But there remains one uncharted territory that has eluded men of power all throughout history, where Seekers, Spiritual Warriors & healers have fearlessly gone in the solitude path less traveled. This unconquered territory is the human heart, ones soul, & seeking spiritual awakening. 

For Orthodox Christians around the world, we celebrate himamat events on the last week of Easter, as history happened. Not only as the story of the last week of Christ's Crucification, but as a reminder of the process for all beings to repent, fast, lent, pray & meditate, to go within, commit, 

connect in love, forgive, let go, heal & dye to yourself, to serve God & awaken. To learn to face whatever the challenges, tests, decision & choices that come up, to forgive yourself & others daily, to learn the lessons, let go, don't forget & live in awareness, present, conscious & mindful.

We celebrate Christ Jesus as the King who enters our hearts, our homes, and our own personal Jerusalem, as he died for our sins, to show us the path to living in peace, love & light. Throughout our lent, prayer & fasting, being mindful of our Spiritual, physical & mental self discipline, so as to consciously awaken our inner being full of forgiveness, grounded, sharp & compassionate.

As we celebrate Fasika, & Easter, may we be blessed to embrace the lessons of our tests, challenges, decisions & choices in our daily lives. I pray we remind ourself it is through Christ in his pain, hurt & suffering that he brought light, love, salvation & shown us how to live our lives in faith, strength, gratitude, consciousness & forgivness, knowing we are enough as a gift & miracle, just being human. 

Lets choose to be aware, mindful, patient, inlove, at ease, humble, peaceful, sharp as a serpent, joyful, still, & compassionate to ourselves & others.

You are loved 💜

By Dutchess@Deldeyoch

Celebrating the Victory: Battle of Adwa 1896..

Victory of Adwa Battle was celebrated in the Early morning of March 1st (Yes I had to wake up 5:00am) near Giorgis Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church at the Menelik square. This celebration, vibrant with decorated male & female Veterans of the war, not only recognises our forefathers that fought for our freedom  at the Battle of Adwa on 1 March 1896 between Ethiopia and Italy, but signifies the importance of people unifying to stand up for their truth regardless of their obstacles..

On March 1st the Ethiopia Victory of Adwa is celebrated to remember the Ethiopian forces estimated at a low of 73,000 to a high of 100,000 range, that fought under Menelik. The forces were divided among the warrior leadership of Emperor Menelik, Empress Taytu Betul, Ras Welle Betul, Ras Mengesha Atikem, Ras Mengesha Yohannes, Ras Alula Engida, Ras Mikael of Wollo, Ras Makonnen Wolde Mikael, Fitawrari Gebeyyehu, and NegusTekle Haymanot Tessemma. In addition, the armies were followed by a similar number of traditional warlords & peasant followers who supplied the army, as had been done for centuries.Most of the army was composed of riflemen, a significant percentage of which were in Menelik's reserve. However, the army was also composed of a significant number of cavalry and infantry only armed with lances.

To remember the woman behind Emperor Menelik, we ended the afternoon visiting Ettege Taitu hotel. A hotel made possible by an impressive Empress of her time, Ettege Taitu, who strategically fought side by side with her husband, leading the thousands of men & woman serving & nursing the troops in the battle of Adwa, as well as advisor to her husband.  Ettege Taitu hotel was founded by the empress in 1898 (the first restaurant in Ethiopia) to feed & care for the many warriors, soldiers that came back from the Battle of Adwa, and had no family at home to feed them...

So remember its not what Ethiopia has done for you, but what have you done for Ethiopia lately?  What is your part in Moving our nation towards healing, abundance, and uplifting its citizen to connect to eachother for the betterment of our nation? So as we are resilient enough that unwarranted invasion by a negative intentioned foreign entity,  of any kind, doesn't attack again.

By Dutchess@deldeyoch.com

An Abyssinian Walking the Bible: Palestine - Israel - Egypt - Jordan - Ethiopia

PART ONE: EGYPT

PART TWO: ISRAEL

PART THREE: PALESTINE & JORDAN

PART FOUR: ETHIOPIA - BAHRE DAR

As a gift to mySelf, for graduating from my MBA with distinction, I gave mySelf a 2months trip of a lifetime, 'Walking the bible'. Egypt & Israel were part of my destination on route to a spiritual quest of following my genetic ancestorial migration from Ethiopia, and tracing Abyssinias influences. 

Ironic, that a successful MBA minded woman working in finance for a fortune 500company, has an awakened spiritually connected Self. I use my bodies genetic imprint, my spirits nomadic nature, and my minds curiosity, to seek the truth that western education doesnt want me to know, I love my contradictions! I was once called 'an enigma' by the director of UNDP when I was setting up the Entreupreneurship Development Center (EDC) of Ethiopia, for refusing to sign off spending the budget for a V8 $50k luxuary car for me, the CEO, because I wanted to use my own old truck, and suggested for EDC to use the money to buy a 24seator bus to serve regional EDC students.

Traveling to Egypt, a country with the oldest and culturally rich civilizations, documenting its history dating back to 5,000BC, was like watching my history, religion and geography class come to life. I loved discovering my ancestral land, Egypt, as an Abyssinian. Unfortunately 21st century Egypt for a black professional Solo African woman that shares a common Orthodox Christian faith was complex.

Every day I was in awe of the depth of the Egypts preservation of its history, the advanced knowledge of Africas engineering, spirituality, medicine, travel, technology, leadership, agriculture, cuisine, fashion, navigation, & architecture. Most of all as an Ethiopian who bears the genetics of our common ancestors, going on a 5days Nile cruise as well as experiencing the long journey Abay River takes from its source in Ethiopia, Bahre Dar, blessing everyone on its route through Sudan and Egypt, and finally spilling over to the Mediterranean via Alexandria, gave me a profound sense of connection.

I have also been on a spiritual cruise on the source of Abay River Nile in Ethiopia, Island hoping, from one end Bahre Dar to Gorgora, visiting ancient monasteries, as well as hiking around Tsisat falls in awe of Abay's energy. Thus while in Egypt, seeing the extent of Nasser Dam, and how every aspect of the Nile water was being used by Egypt. I couldnt help but wish that my people had used the Nile to advance their citizens out of poverty, & shared our civilization to the world like Egypt had done. And contemplating on, What is the secret Ethiopia holds, that chooses Spiritual preservation than global economic prosperity & fame? This curiosity opened the doors for my personal research on Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypts thousand of years of shared history, as families, allies, neighbours,  seekers of knowledge, preservers of human civilization in mind, spirit and body. Less than 10yrs later, Ethiopia is finally financing its Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Taking the first steps to contributing its share of bringing Horn of Africa towards prosperity, and opening the door for the global community to embrace black peoples contribution to world civilization as equals.

I traveled from Cairo, to the North, South and Eastern parts of Egypt, before heading to Israel. Immersing myself with the true experience of walking the land, visiting impressive museum collections in Cairo; cruising down the Nile for days, from Luxor to Aswan; walking around Alexandria, visiting the impressive book collection at the renowned library at Alexandria on the Mediterranean; breaking bread with my nomadic family, the Bedouins;  traveling through the suez canal to hike Mt Sinai for Ethiopian New year; and enjoying a sunset sailing dinner with my Nubian brothers in Southern Egypt!

Egypt's history, Africa history, blacks folks history, reserved and documented is really a wonder and a reminder that there is nothing new under the sky. As well as a note that to seek true wisdom you have to travel, explore, redefine, and find the true reflection of our collective history as humans, follow your spirits connection of your genetic code, especially black folks, before our collective false egoic mind manipulates the truth.

My highlight was spending time with the wonderful Nubians that looked like my extended family in Aswan while sailing on the nile; hanging out having coffee at a cafe overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria with the youth of Egypt, discussing Africa, as well as my time with the Bedouins at Mt.Sinai, walking in the footsteps of Mosses. Its always been my nomadic Abyssinians souls awarness that regardless of our egoic minds false sense of seclusion and fear, underneath it all, we are all the same, seeking acceptance and being seen, connected to eachother by our commen spirit..

From Aswan Dam to GERD, the Nile water is truily a connector, a lifeline, a piece of history, and a gift from God tracing its roots to the beginning of time, Adam and Eve🙏💕.

By Dutchess@Deldeyoch

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Website: www.deldeyoch.com

"Bridging the gap between the monetary fortunate and unfortunate."

The Solar eclipse 'Ring of Fire' in Ethiopia

The Solar eclipse was visible either in its entirety or as a partial solar eclipse acrose Africa, #Arabian peninsula (#MiddleEast), and #Asia. What is magical for any spiritual being, is the journey the Solar Eclipse took. Could it be our forefathers that named the stars in Ge'ez (An ancient African language), also migrated from Africa following Natures inspiring signs through Gods wonder?

During the #Annular solar #eclipse spectacular scene, The eclipse began at GMT 0345 Sunday, June 21st, and went until 1034 GMT Monday morning, June 22nd. The moon gradually covered most of the #sun, stunning sky watchers across parts of #Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Asia and more. 

Around 0640 GMT, the #Moon, Sun and #Earth lined up just to create the brilliant effect, the crown jewel of the event, a dazzling bright "#RingofFire".  The Solar eclipse was visible across the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, #Sudan, Ethiopia, the Red #Sea, #Yemen, Saudi Arabia, #Oman, the Gulf of Oman, #Pakistan, #India, #China, Taiwan, and the Philippine Sea (south of Guam). Makes you want to pause, and reflect on how much the Sun, Moon, Earth and #Stars means to all of us humans..

My friend and nomadic soul brother, @Antonio and team, travelled rightfully to where all Human beings come from, the #Afar region. To share this phenomenon in one of the oldest & spectacular area in #Ethiopia and Africa, sharing with us these images with a front-row seat.

By Dutchess @Deldeyoch

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Blog: https://www.deldeyoch.com
Website: www.deldeyoch.com

"Bridging the gap between the monetary fortunate and unfortunate."
   

Systemic Racism Since the 15th century..

Black & brown people have been systematically targeted and brutally murdered since the 15th century. I was shocked when I dug deeper into the background of the Spanish Inquisition, when I was traveling in spain and Portugal. It was evident that so much effort, distortion, and manipulation had been done in the West in trying to erase & destroy the history, society, land, culture, and civilization that had come from black and Brown people. Digging deeper into Mediterranean history it was disheartening to discover the length to which the west went starting from 15th-16th century, which had a coded racial exclusion laws in modern history. In order to wipe out the significant influence to the world that black African, brown middle Eastern and Asians had contributed to the global history, Science, Education, Cultural, Art, Spirituality, Civilization, Technology, Engineering, Astrological, and so much more. 

The tragedy of the length the west went to distort not just history, but manipulating science and religion as well as academic institution to bring about generations of pain, harm, evil doings that has not only affected the narratives of black and brown people, but colonised continents of peoples spirits, to inflict harm on their societies and communities, while raping their resources, disrupting the Natural order of things, especially in Africa. 

Spain (Europe) in order to erase 800years of black and brown peoples influence in the Mediterranean, came up with Laws; Codes; Anthropology’s bigoted Science; Killings, Slavery; Looting Land; Rewriting History; and destroying historic documents. Demeaning the Melanin skin and branding Caucasian white as a supreme race with force, fabricated scientific documentation, alliances with eachother, using religion. As well as putting into place laws such as Sentencia-Estatuto (the first set of racial exclusion laws in modern history), and The Jesuit order, spreading African slavery, while Colonising the Americas (Iberian initiatives). Paving the road to systematically targeting black Africa, its people, its land, its history, and weaving its colonial codes, rules, laws within Africa's legal framework, trade, language, currency and psychic, till this day.

So what black people are, 'Sick and tired of being sick and tired' is deeper. The wound of systematic racism, black peoples history being manipulated & rewritten, as well as the constant triggers of our forefathers pain and brutal aggression on their spirit is what we ALL black people are crying for. A shift is coming, an awakening, it needs all of us to stand up, take back our power, fight, scream out loud #Blacklivesmatter, so as we see our power united, and change the narrative, that is only when we can start the healing. 🙏🏾

By Dutchess @Deldeyoch

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I : https://www.instagram.com/deldeyoch
Blog: https://www.deldeyoch.com
Website: www.deldeyoch.com

"Bridging the gap between the monetary fortunate and unfortunate."

Mindfully Cooking Vegan Paella, 💕 from Ethiopia

I woke up this morning grateful for sleeping so peacefully after my Yoga and meditation yesterday. As I was going through my travel pictures of my epic trip to Spain, Morocco and Portugal, I had a craving for the Mediterranean Sea breeze, Andalusia lifestyle, and Moroccos artistry, so I decided to make Paella for the second time. Our mind is such an astonishing work of art that once we tap into its wonders and its vices, we are in awe of its power to allow us to realise our full potential, and gifts. It also can overwhelm us with emotions and cripple our vision, body and spirit, but as the Captain of our ship and the Master of our fate, we do have our free will, and free choices to guide and steer it to its rightful path.

As I am eating my home cooked vegan Paella for dinner, listening to the birds singing goodnight to one another at 6:30pm, and observing the colorful combination of my meal on my plate. In keeping up with my motto of 2020 to be addiction free from toxic food/people, my minds negative replays and clutter, so as to strengthen my mental muscles. I reflected back on how my day unfolded, from visualizing my intentions of recreating the wonderful memory of the Paella I had in Andalusia, Spain, to the process that I chose. I am blessed and grateful that God or higher power aligned everything around my intention to be fortunate enough to not just feed myself but also feed all the people in my household a delicious healthy nurturing Vegan meal, made with love.

Mindfully I went about my day, aware and observant of how, why and when my mind interacts socially with my staff, to get grocery;planning the budget; figuring out the ingredients; opening my taste buds to the memories of the paella I had with my wonderful host Selamiye, Jose and his lovely parents in their Berber North African inspired courtyard. I set my mind, body and spirit on the wonderful journey of mindfully applying my intellect, artistry, magic, science, discipline, with lots of Love in the process of encouraging my imagination, applauding my wellbeing and acknowledging my spirit. Tapping into my creativity I quickly made decisions to include seasonal veggies in Addis, and Ethiopian spices, as well as curly soy instead of fish, and ofcourse, the center piece of my Paella, Saffron' from Morocco. 

I have always been curiosity about Saffron, its ancient reputation, remedies & uses. Also due to an ingenious & persuasive handsome Moroccan sales person at the spice market in Marakesh, I opted to purchase my first Saffron spices. I was grateful for the farmers and those that picked this magical and ancient flowers, to give us this healing Miracle of a spice, Saffron, originally from Persia. Did I pay too much at that time, Yes, but am I utterly grateful for its healing power now, Yes. So I handled its long journey to my kitchen with care, and respect, as I stared at it, mixed it with water to bring out its vibrant color and fragrance, which will accentuate the taste of the ingredients in the Paella.

Reflecting on my process of creating this tasty and beautiful dish, inspired by my love for the contribution of the global community to our nutrition, and opening my taste buds to natures healing power. I was in gratitude from buying the ingredients, preparing the veggies, going into memory and google to figure out what works best for my clients (my staff😊 and me) , and watching my minds anxiety, speed, as well as at times being hijacked with unnecessary destruction. I allowed,accepted, applauded, and loved all the emotions that assisted in visualizing my intuitive need to nurture my body and mind with healthy veggies, and spices. I was also in gratitude for all the people around me that gave me their positive energy with no judgement,to share my gifts and passion, to inspire their taste buds.

The magic of cooking or traveling inspired by memory is magnified when we do it mindfully, with awareness, honesty, and appreciation to include what works best for our environment, our taste buds, and always being grateful for all those before us that contributed to our joy. Its transforming to witness our ability as humans to move past our differences, and focus in creating positive moments and meals such as this nurturing Paella whose journey was inspired by Africa, Asia, Europe and Middle East. Thank you for my global community, and the hard working farmers in Ethiopia and globally, as well as my inquisitive mind that constantly seeks wisdom & knowledge to live a balanced, calm, peaceful and healthy lifestyle.

Buen Provecho 💕

“Take only pictures, leave only footprints, kill nothing but time” ☆Conciouse Traveler

By Dutchess @Deldeyoch

T : https://twitter.com/deldeyoch
F : https://www.facebook.com/deldeyoch/
I : https://www.instagram.com/deldeyoch
Blog: https://www.deldeyoch.com
Website: www.deldeyoch.com

"Bridging the gap between the monetary fortunate and unfortunate."

Djibouti, Traveling through Puntland!

My genetics is not landlocked: Horn of Africa, Djibouti & Red Sea!

Having crossed the Red Sea through the suez canal, while Walking the bible from Egypt Mt.Sanai, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan (An MBA graduation gift for myself). I had been taken back by the mysteries that the Red Sea holds, not just to the global world but my Abyssinian ancestors, that were birthed near the Red Sea, and were the cradle of mankind. I have always known my soul was nomadic. My social, emotional and intellectual intelligence was from my highland ancestors, but the seat of my soul, my heart, was at peace when exploring the world freely, especially breaking bread with the nomads of the Sahara desert (The Afar, Bedouin, Tuareg, and Berber). 

On my trip to Egypt, exploring the land of the pharaoh from Alexandria to Abu Simba, spending time sailing with Nubians on the Nile, and hiking Mt.Sinai with Bedouins, gave me a inner glimpse into unconditional Joy, and an insight into the history, civilization and interconnection of my ancestors, and an immense gratitude to be chosen to discover my ancestors journey that I was not taught in school. I am in gratitude, and have a profound humility when I sit with myself and choose to seek living, wisdom and truth. 

I was fortunate to be born in a family of uncles and aunts that told me stories of my ancestors, as well as surrounded by faith and love that grounds who I am, allowing me an inner freedom and confidence to explore internally and externally. Its in Egypt I saw thousands of years of statues that looked like me, and discovered that my country was part of what the pharaoh called 'Gods Land'. The Red Sea coast of now Sudan, Eriteria, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Northern Somali are considered the most likely location of the territory known to the ancient Egyptians as the Land of Punt. The first mention of the Land of Punt dates to the 25th century BC.

I always go within to choose my next destination to explore, not just for site seeing but a combination of adventure, history, relaxation, social awareness and strategic business opportunity for myself and the community I serve. Djibouti has been on my mind for a few years, it was so close yet so expensive, but I knew the lure was Whale Shark diving on the Red Sea, and the Afar inhabitants of the Red Sea coast, that were the ancient people of Horn of Africa. Having visited the Sahara Desert Berbers in Morocco last year, they claim their ancestors came from the East, thus my curiousty triggered, since the relationship of the Horn and Northern Africa can be traced back to not just the Axumite Empire, the Nile river, but also through traders and travelers crossing from Eastern Africa to Western Africa via the Sahara desert.

The Kingdom of Axum

There has always been strong ties between Ethiopia, the middle East and India, in history, trade, spirituality, culture and religious books, even before Christianity. Christian rule prevailed in the Ethiopia, which included Djibouti, Eriteria & parts of Somalia, since the rule of Emperor Ezana in early 4th century, making Ethiopia the first Christian country in the world.

Djibouti is predominantly inhabited by, the Ethiopians, Somali and the Afar(From Ethiopia, Eriteria, Somalia & Djibouti) people. The nomadic people of Afar were the first populations in Africa to embrace Islam. Afar is also associated with the Adal Sultanate that controlled large parts of the northern Horn of Africa. During its existence, Adal had relations and engaged in trade with other polities in Northeast Africa, the near East, Europe, and South Asia.

When I travelled to Spain and Portugal last year, it was eye opening especially in Al-Andalusia and Portugal, to witness the evidence of the tremendous influence of Art, architecture, Science, food, culture and music of the Muslim Berbers (Imazighen), that invaded most of the Iberian peninsula from 8th to 15th century (Over 700yrs), and were constantly in conflict with the Europeans.

Djibouti is a small country with various foreign military camps that inject a lot of foreign currency into the country, making it expensive for locals and travelers to live, but since it has an international port, the grocery & shopping selections are filled with great items catering to its foreign residence. There are three main things one can do on your trip to Djibouti, you can tour Djibouti city itself, visit Lac Assal and Lac Abbé, as well as enjoy whaleshark diving or traveling around the Red sea in a yacht, tour boats or with local fishermen. The architecture is both African & middle eastern, & so is the cuisine, so the tiny city of Djibouti is a great place to walk around, ot hire a car for the day to enjoy its coast, shopping & eating.

As I am writing about Djibouti and the horn, since history, society and trade of the horn of Africa is an inner passion of mine, and my last two years of travel were historically and geopolitically connected, my blog has taken its own journey, and has fortunately expanded to a part two.

To be continued.....

Melkam Guzo (Happy travels)

“Take only pictures, leave only footprints, kill nothing but time” ☆Conciouse Traveler

By Dutchess @Deldeyoch

T : https://twitter.com/deldeyoch
F : https://www.facebook.com/deldeyoch/
I : https://www.instagram.com/deldeyoch
Blog: https://www.deldeyoch.com
Website: www.deldeyoch.com

"Bridging the gap between the monetary fortunate and unfortunate."

People.Planet.Profit at Social Enterprise World Forum in Ethiopia 2019

 Reflecting back on the Social Enterprise World forum 2019, that took place in an Emergining market like Ethiopia, it had a profound effect on me, as it solidified my own inner decision to return back to Africa 10+years ago, to be part of the change in seeking a revolutionary strategic shift in finding a more holistic approach in the way we empower eachother globally and locally, as well as economically and socially. Having excelled in the financial world working for fortune 500 companies in the most powerful country in the world, the US, and being raised ina social conscious family and country (Ethiopia), my soul felt more at ease when volunteering for communities, serving on the board of minority owned, and consulting small and medium socially impactful enterprise's.

When I created deldeyoch in 2010, my intentions were more to serve where I fit best, and yes I saved enough money to invest in my passions, and things I felt can make me a kinder, wiser, more conciouse leader in transfering the tools I learnt in the extreme private sector (US), shifting me to understand that I was a believer in a Socio-Capitalist economy, especially after travelling in Ethiopia, and around Africa. Thus my experience of attending #SEWF2019 went beyond the networking, panel discussions, policy and acadamic forum, learning more about Impact investment experience regarding Social Enterprise, it was an inner confirmation that I wasn't alone in my vision of strategiesing to finding a more equal playing field that was sustainable to all. Meeting smart, generouse, awakened people as far away as Australia, Uganda, New Zeland, Canada, Sudan, Kenya, South Africa, Scotland, Hong Kong, UK etc, and locally in Ethiopia, doing profound things in the Government, International Organisations, Private Sector and NGO, reenergized me to believe even more in humanity, and how if we all commit to puting our minds and hearts together we can create a New Earth, where we all prosper equally, in consideration of our enviroment, and its inhabbitants, taking care of the one earth we all call home.

My take of #SEWF2019...

Acadamic Symposium:Meeting Acadamicians, school administrators as well as SocEnt in the Education field gave me an oppertunity to engage, be aware of, and strive to see how we in Ethiopia can be better equiped to introduce SocEnt in high school, universities and in our leadership and Entrepreneurship Trainings. Considering Ethiopia was the host country I would have been excited to see commitments from African acadamicians on further collaborations. Grateful for British council Ethiopia team for the invite.

Policy Forum: By far the most exciting part of SEWF was the discussions around policy, considering in Ethiopia SocEnt if not defined as such is engrained in our Entreuprenuerial mindset. Learning from other countries, the process, means and enginuity in designing their SocEnt framework with all stakeholders was eye opening. As well as realising the need of switching to impact investment by funders from the Aid and free money syndrome that has handicapped most emerging nations, was refreshing. It was exciting to see so many consciouse leaders that have a passion to find a middle ground, SocEnt, between civil societies and capitalism drivin policies. Looking forward to participating next year. Grateful for British council Ethiopia for the invite.

SEWF2019 Main Forum : I am inspired, & motivated by the global #SolEnt community @_SEWF! The opening was delightful. When Social Innovators, policy makers, Impact Investors, Academicians from all over the world (1,200 delegates, 70 countries) take over @UNECA to awaken our collective responsibilities as leaders for a Conscious shift to doing bussiness. Opening speeches by Dr.Hirut Kassaw-Minister of culture and tourism, H.E. Dr Tilaye Gete-Minister of Education, Per Heggenes-CEO, IKEA Foundation, Hélène Malandain-Board Chair-SEWF. Social Entrepreneurs also showcasing their products @UNECA was wonderful. It would have been great to include Minister of Trade Ethiopia, as thats the direction of SocEnt in Ethiopia. The panel discusssions were timely and interesting, I am a true believer that innovative technology can truly play a crital roll in leveling the playing field. I wished you had reached out to all of us in Ethiopia that are experts in SocEnt field to represent Ethiopia on all the panel discussions, especially more government bodies in Africa. Innovative Social Enterprises play a critical role in addressing many of Africas socio-economic challenges, and SEWF2019 gave us an amazing oppertunity to not just highlight that to the global community, but to the local stakeholders. I bought my ticket to come in, and it was worth every penny. 

Furthermore #SEWF didn't end at 5pm, it was such a joyful connection that I attended the Networking at Reach for Change @Radison, and danced the night away at the African night @BritishcouncilEthiopia, extending friendship to people from all over the world over food and drinks at the Social Enterprise Ethiopia event was priceless. And as a true Ethiopian hospitality is a must, making sure people got to their hotels safe, and sharing travel ideas to our uniquelly beautiful country Ethiopia even after the forum ended, reconfirmed my global citizenship.

The most significant treasure that SEWF2019 gave me was the #SocEnt family I formed, be it Social Enterprise Ethiopia, the supportive team at British Council ethiopia, and the resilient owners of social enterprises in the Ethiopian private sector, as well as the champions of #SocEnt in the Ethiopian Government, Academicians, International Organisations serving Ethiopia, and NGO leaders willingness to shift their strategies.🇪🇹

Looking forward to collaborating more locally and globally, as well as comparing notes at #SEWF2020, in one of my favorite country, Canada!  

 

By Dutchess @Deldeyoch

T : https://twitter.com/deldeyoch
F : https://www.facebook.com/deldeyoch/
I : https://www.instagram.com/deldeyoch
Blog: https://www.deldeyoch.com
Website: www.deldeyoch.com

"Bridging the gap between the monetary fortunate and unfortunate."

Social Entrepreneurship - People . Planet . Profit .

What better way in being part of creating a new earth than spending your life and sustaining your livelihood by exploring your potential, and purpose, as well as intertwining it with positively impactful social issues of the global community we are part of.  The ultimate shift in ones belief in their inner strength usually manifests when we recognize our connection and responsibility to the society and environment of the global community we belong to.

We are all Entrepreneurs, to be more accurate Social Entrepreneurs, whether in life, at work, in relationships or in our passion that we follow. Although the product or service we provide is not eagerly defined in relation to Asset = Liability + Capital in personal lives. Every encounter in all the dimension of our lives if driven by the notion of harmony, well-being, survival, leanness, as well as positively impacting those that we are responsible for, and ultimately giving back, and being a productive citizen in sustaining our lives.

Most people shy away from defining their lives in terms of identifying themselves as Entrepreneurs, but having dealt with and assisted numerous clients for the last +20years, whether micro, medium or large scale businesses; as well as Individuals with a passion for Entrepreneurship, I am confident that those that are successful lead their lives as Entrepreneurs. Seeing my own intuitive Social Entrepreneurship skills in sustaining and leading my life; advocating for those things I believed in within the constraints and opportunities of the Global competitive environment; which gradually translating it into my own business, Deldeyoch, proves to me even more, that every individual, if they put their mind to it, can be an Entrepreneur.

As the name implies in the Ethiopian language Amharic, Deldeyoch means bridges. Before venturing towards starting my business, in order to fully grasp what I am passionate in doing, what I am good at and what is needed from me as a citizen of this world, I travelled and explored my inner and outer vision of my life. I can confidently say that if everyone thought like an Entrepreneur, and more accurately a Social Entrepreneur, we would have eradicated poverty, inefficiency and inequalities, one individual at a time.

We define Social Entrepreneurs at Deldeyoch, as driven and unique members of the professional community that have identified a social challenge, need or a problem in the community or in the world, and have come up with a profitable business venture to remedy the issue.  The remedy can be innovative, immediate or long term, small or large scale, and creatively using tools such as ICT, social media and Networking, so as to establishes a profit making Enterprise that is efficient & effective to compete, and sustain itself.

Deldeyoch was incepted in the Pacific North West in Seattle, yet my inspiration and tools came from the Global community; my travels especially in Eastern, Northern and Southern Africa; Market research and data collection while exploring almost all parts of Ethiopia; the vast number of conscious friends and acquaintances I have met on the way; and my personal investment to my education and knowledge, especially my MBA.

Social Enterprises are the largest numbers of businesses that have an overall successful impact in an Economically Emerging continent like Africa. I have been fortunate to have travelled most of Eastern & Southern Africa, as well as parts of Northern Africa. Witnessing the influx on investors, and power hungry government officials as well as African private sector that continuously push the agenda of prosperity only by destroying and acquiring new ways, rather than learning from what is and building on ways of finding a business solution to profit in consideration of the people and planet..

Social Entrepreneurship (“SE”) is a way of leading your life, it shapes who you are; what you surround yourself with in business and life; who your friends are; where and how you sustain your livelihood and make a profit; where you purchase your food and from whom ; and most of all your constant strive to work within yourself to be a better version of yourself. The SE way of life is one of joy and challenge, but we have to instil a sense of discipline, confidence and a support system that can challenge the status quo of how profit is achieved, and teach others that building a business and life that is adequate for your family and those you are responsible for is enough, and sharing with those less fortunate than you is expected.

All we have to do is look around the world, listen to the news, there are environmental and social challenges in the last century that are catastrophic. Human greed such as colonization, Environmental destruction for wealth of a few, 10% of the rich owning most of the business’s in the world, Governmental bureaucratic bias, and such have pushed the Earth further into depression.

I dream of Africa, that has leaders in the private and public sector that think of not just their specific country, region, city, but look beyond to the continent and the future of the next generation, and make decisions & policies that protect those less fortunate than most, build infrastructure that advocates equality, challenge society to incorporate the environment in public and private sector initiatives. And use the media actively to promote ways of remedying social challenges, needs or problems in the community with a profitable business venture.

I am a Social Entrepreneur that has created an Enterprise that brings me a sense of pride and accomplishment, and assists others in structuring their company to have a social and economic positive impact, as well as success. I encourage you to challenge your ways as individuals and business people, to leave this Planet, and People better than you found it while sustaining and excelling in generating your own livelihood rather than being stuck in a cycle of reliance of Aid and hand out. I am  confident that with proper government policy support, and advise from experts like me, as well as tools from a strong support system, Social Enterprises can assists in the economic growth of Ethiopia, and Africa as a continent.

By Dutchess @Deldeyoch

T : https://twitter.com/deldeyoch
F : https://www.facebook.com/deldeyoch/
I : https://www.instagram.com/deldeyoch
Blog: https://www.deldeyoch.com
Website: www.deldeyoch.com

"Bridging the gap between the monetary fortunate and unfortunate."