Ras Tafari’s famous European diplomatic tour, which took him to Rome and other European capitals, occurred during a time when Ethiopia was striving to assert its sovereignty on the global scene and in the African continent that was under colonial domination. Kevork Nalbandian, who served as its conductor, composed the Ethiopian national anthem, which remained in use from 1925 to 1974. Boris Adjemian, a French historian of Armenian descent, explores the journey of the Armenian diaspora in Ethiopia, extending his focus to include the entirety of the community within the country and its economic and political contributions. He highlights how the Negus’s brass band was a constant presence, tirelessly performing in all conditions, regardless of rain or shine, and enduring the relentless heat of the Addis Ababa highlands. From the book, we gain insight into how the brass band was strategically utilized to discreetly communicate Ethiopian diplomatic messages during international gatherings.

Source: Ethiopian News February 09, 2024 08:59 UTC