Millions listen to Ethiopian singer’s song criticizing government22 minutes agoBBC AmharicGetty ImagesIn Ethiopia, where criticising authorities can often land you in trouble, Teddy Afro’s track Das Tal has been viewed over seven million times on YouTube. Teddy Afro, whose real name Tewodros Kazsahun, sings about a traditional mourning camp, referring to a country that he believes has been lost. The 49-year old laments in Das Tal that “the spirit of being Ethiopian has been pushed away.” “Now I can understand the pain and sorrow. Where can one go to cry, to mourn? In the village where I was raised, in the place where I grew, I feel like a stranger. “The star was a thorn on the side of previous government. His last album, Ethiopia, was a huge success in the country, topping the Billboard World Albums chart in several weeks. It was a historical album that called for unity between Ethiopians. But its official release in Ethiopia was blocked by the government. Teddy Afro told BBC in 2017 that “all of my music is based upon love.” “Like Martin Luther King, who said that hate cannot drive out hatred: only love can achieve this. For us to get out of this situation, I believe that the only option we have is love. Ethiopians celebrate the baptism of Jesus with drums, chants, and celebrations.
