Safeguarding Heritage of the Tegaru from Ethnic Cleansing

Ethiopia is currently grappling with a severe crisis of ethnic cleansing, posing a threat to its diverse cultural landscape and social fabric. As the international community largely ignores the plight of its surrounding communities, there is an increasing need to prioritize cultural preservation and foster collective support among ourselves. Chashah Monastery, serving as a spiritual and cultural refuge for Tegaru looking to become a force of change, is taking a stand in combating the atrocities of ethnic cleansing and preserving our heritage.

Devastating Impact Ethiopia's ongoing ethnic cleansing campaigns have inflicted immense harm to the rich cultural diversity that flourished for centuries in Tigray. This echoes the experiential patterns numerous African countries have been victimized where external funding has been provided to rebel organizations, leading to internal destruction and dependence on Western support at the expense of sovereignty. Ethnic cleansing continues to cause immense suffering among the Tigrayan population, targeting communities based on identity. The pursuit of a unitary political system, driven by corruption, further exacerbates the erosion of Tigray. The Western interest in Tigray's resources, including the Blue Nile Dam, fuels an underlying agenda of land grab and political power struggles, echoing Africa's historical division from the Berlin Conference's scramble for Africa.

Chashah Monastery's Vision Chashah Monastery recognizes the urgent need to combat ethnic cleansing for the preservation of our identity. Despite political obstacles, the monastery upholds the following principles as a way forward:

Cultural Preservation: The monastery places paramount importance on preserving the Tigrinya language, and as Ethiopia grapples with erosion of its cultural infrastructure, Chashah Monastery serves as a defense for the Tegaru. The monastery remains steadfast in its mission at seeking to establish a robust ethereal system for autonomy and ensuring the continuation of our unique identity. We recognize the need for concrete actions to ensure the safeguard of the Tegaru identity. Ethnic cleansing inflicts immense suffering upon the Tegaru community, with human rights violations and atrocities committed against us. Unfortunately, the international community has largely ignored these grave injustices, failing to address the urgent need for intervention and justice. While political reforms are often touted as solutions, they may not genuinely serve the best interests of the Tegaru people.

Chashah Monastery's Guiding Principles Chashah Monastery firmly believes that true justice and lasting solutions for our community will not arise from political reforms orchestrated by external forces. Instead, we actively lean towards faith in ያሁአ as him being the redeemer and deliverer, who will ultimately bring forth genuine justice and restoration. The hope for the Tegaru lies in unwavering faith in ያሁአ leading to true justice. Recognizing the limitations of political reforms and disregard from Western influences, we seek solace in our faith for true justice. It is crucial for the Tegaru community to recognize and address to stand alongside Chashah Monastery in the mission to preserve and protect our cultural legacy. Together, we can strive for cultural preservation safeguarding our heritage while seeking a brighter future amidst the shadows of ethnic cleansing.

Chashah News Week

Gelila Tesfay, Chief Editor

CNW4/ Dept. of Communication

email: g-tesfay@chashah.fyi