We are a group of individuals of the younger generation of the Habesha diaspora in America. We are a part of this generation that has had to create an identity for itself which balances our Habesha roots with our American up-bringing. The personal journey of the creator of this project began by leaving Ethiopia as an asylum seeker with her family at age 4, conforming and adjusting to Dutch culture in the Netherlands for 5 years, and readjusting to American culture in the U.S. for another 20 years. Now, at 29, she sees how some may have similar cultural experiences, but are vastly different. And yet, their souls emit a vibration that is on the same wavelength as hers. Growing up away from other Habeshoch, she thought her unique vibration belonged to just her family. As she has gotten to know many other young Habeshoch who arrived in the U.S. at different points of childhood, she noticed they too emit this vibration that felt Home.
On the surface we are all different. Despite all this variation, however, there is that wavelength that connects us all. That one heart located in East Africa that beats through each of us.
We, the members of this project, have each consciously and unconsciously explored what makes us Habesha. Is blood enough to claim this label? Is it behavior or birthright? Is it a mentality? Even though we have thoroughly discussed this topic, we have yet to identify what is at the essence of Habeshannet. However, through exposure to the many different Habeschoch we realize we do not have to be the same to stay connected. Each of us gets to choose how we portray it to the rest of the world.
We fell in love with the wide expressions of life and living by the young Habesha community and this project was born.
We hope you will share your perspective with us creatively through your writing, photography and artwork for this book and help us to capture the diversity of the Habesha expressions by the young Habesha Diaspora.
IMPORTANT NEW INFO (as of 10/1/2009): DUE TO MULTIPLE REQUESTS THE SEPT. 30 DEADLINE IS BEING EXTENDED UNTIL DECEMBER 31st.
(email us if you need an extension or have any questions/comments: habeshadiaspora@gmail.com)
How to submit to this book project
Are you ready to have your voice heard? Follow this link to submit your original writing, photography and/or art work now! It will only take 5-10 minutes.
You can also contact us by email at habeshadiaspora@gmail.com, Myspace, or at our Facebook Group. We hope to hear from you!!
