The national anthem of Ethiopia is called: « Wodefit Gesgeshi, Widd Innat Ityopp’ya ».
Continent: Africa
Bordering Countries:
– 🇩🇯 Djibouti
– 🇪🇷 Eritrea
– 🇰🇪 Kenya
– 🇸🇴 Somalia
– 🇸🇸 South Sudan
– 🇸🇩 Sudan
History of « Wodefit Gesgeshi, Widd Innat Ityopp’ya »
« Wodefit Gesgeshi, Widd Innat Ityopp’ya » (March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia) is the national anthem of Ethiopia. The anthem reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage, its journey through history, and the unity of its people.
Key Dates and People
- 1992: The lyrics of the anthem were written by Dereje Melaku Mengesha, an Ethiopian poet. The music was composed by Solomon Lulu Mitiku, an Ethiopian composer. The anthem was officially adopted in 1992, following the end of the Derg regime and the establishment of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Anecdotes
- Post-Derg Era: The adoption of « Wodefit Gesgeshi, Widd Innat Ityopp’ya » in 1992 marked a new era for Ethiopia. The anthem was chosen to symbolize the country’s transition from a period of political turmoil to a new democratic government.
- Composer’s Influence: Solomon Lulu Mitiku, the composer, is celebrated for his contributions to Ethiopian music. His composition for the anthem is considered one of his most significant works, reflecting the spirit and resilience of the Ethiopian people.
- Cultural Significance: The anthem is performed at national celebrations, official ceremonies, and sporting events, reinforcing its role in uniting the Ethiopian people and celebrating their heritage. The anthem’s stirring lyrics and melody inspire a sense of unity and pride among Ethiopians.
- Symbol of Unity: The lyrics of the anthem emphasize unity, peace, and progress, reflecting the aspirations of the Ethiopian people as they work towards a prosperous and united nation.
Lyrics Excerpt
In Amharic
የዜግነት ፡ ክብር ፡ በኢትዮጵያችን ፡ ጸንቶ ፣
ታየ ፡ ሕዝባዊነት ፡ ዳር ፡ እስከዳር ፡ በርቶ ።
ለሰላም ፣ ለፍቅር ፣ ለሕዝቦች ፡ ነጻነት ፣
በእኩልነት ፡ በፍቅር ፡ ቆመናል ፡ ባንድነት ።
መሠረተ ፡ ጽኑ ፡ ሰብእናን ፡ ያልሻርን ፣
ሕዝቦች ፡ ነን ፡ ለሥራ ፡ በሥራ ፡ የኖርን ።
ድንቅ ፡ የባህል ፡ መድረክ ፡ ያኩሪ ፡ ቅርስ ፡ ባለቤት ፣
የተፈጥሮ ፡ ጸጋ ፡ የጀግና ፡ ሕዝብ ፡ እናት ።
እንጠብቅሻለን ፡ አለብን ፡ አደራ ፣
ኢትዮጵያችን ፡ ኑሪ ፡ እኛም ፡ ባንቺ ፡ እንኩራ ።Translated in English
Respect for citizenship is strong in our Ethiopia;
National pride is seen, shining from one side to another.
For peace, for justice, for the freedom of peoples,
In equality and in love we stand united.
Firm of foundation, we do not dismiss humanness;
We are people who live through work.
Wonderful is the stage of tradition, owners of a proud heritage,
Natural grace, mother of a valorous people.
We shall protect you – we have a duty;
Our Ethiopia, live! And let us be proud of you!Sources: