Tag: Meskel

Ethiopian Patriots are those that served in Haile Selassie’s army, and fought the Fascist occupation during the time of the Second World War. There are few of these old men left, but they proudly present themselves, in uniform and the colors of their flag, at public ceremonies, remembering the liberation of their country from foreign occupation, and maintaining Ethiopia’s status as the only country in Africa that was not colonized by Europe.

Ethiopian Patriots are those that served in Haile Selassie’s army, and fought the Fascist occupation during the time of the Second World War. There are few of these old men left, but they proudly present themselves, in uniform and the colors of their flag, at public ceremonies, remembering the liberation of their country from foreign occupation, and maintaining Ethiopia’s status as the only country in Africa that was not colonized by Europe.

Ethiopian Patriots are those that served in Haile Selassie’s army, and fought the Fascist occupation during the time of the Second World War. There are few of these old men left, but they proudly present themselves, in uniform and the colors of their flag, at public ceremonies, remembering the liberation of their country from foreign occupation, and maintaining Ethiopia’s status as the only country in Africa that was not colonized by Europe.

This particular old man was proud to stand a little more at attention as I photographed him, and I loved the expression on his face, unfortunately a bit lost through the combination of low light, dark skin color, and a hat brim that blocked much of the little available light. Still, whatever the technical flaws, I hope it conveys a touch of the sense of pride I saw in his eyes as he held his taper and watched the ceremonies.

Two women in the respected guests section with lit tapers using their camera-phone to take a photo of the crowd, just before the culmination of the ceremony.