In a nation where criticizing authorities often leads to repercussions, the latest song from Ethiopia’s most prominent musician, which appears to critique the government, is garnering significant attention.
Teddy Afro’s track, “Das Tal” – meaning “put up the tent” in English – has accumulated over seven million views on YouTube since its release last Thursday. Referencing a traditional mourning tent, Teddy Afro, whose real name is Tewodros Kassahun, expresses sorrow for a country he believes has been lost.
Preceding the song’s release, controversy arose when a planned preview event for journalists in the capital, Addis Ababa, was unexpectedly canceled for undisclosed reasons.
“The spirit of being Ethiopian is now pushed away,” the 49-year-old artist laments in “Das Tal.” He continues, “Now I understand the sorrow and pain. Where can someone go to mourn, where do you cry? In the place that raised me, in the village where I grew up, I have become a stranger, like someone with no country.”
Teddy Afro has historically been a vocal critic of previous administrations. Two decades ago, he served 16 months in prison following a hit-and-run incident, charges he maintained were politically motivated. His previous album, “Ethiopia” (2017), achieved substantial sales domestically and topped the Billboard World Albums chart for several weeks. That album explored historical themes and advocated for unity among Ethiopians, though its official release within the country was blocked by authorities.
At that time, Ethiopia experienced widespread anti-government protests, particularly concerning the marginalization of the Oromo, the country’s largest ethnic group, which ultimately led to the resignation of the then-prime minister.
In a 2017 interview with the BBC, Teddy Afro stated, “All of my music is based on love. Like Martin Luther King said: ‘Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.’ And for us to come out of the situation we are in, I believe the only choice we have is love.”
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, himself an Oromo, ascended to power in the aftermath of these protests, promising a new era of unity for the ethnically diverse nation. While Teddy Afro initially welcomed this promise, he has since expressed disillusionment with widespread violence and government actions, notably the two-year civil war in the north that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. In 2022, he released a song expressing concern over increasing “tribalism,” a theme further explored in his latest track.
Prime Minister Abiy consistently emphasizes his commitment to national unity, asserting that collective action is the sole path to prosperity and security. This message is expected to intensify as the general election in June approaches.
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