The People of Addis Ababa
For two years between 2021 and 2023 I lived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The world was just beginning to recover from the Covid Pandemic, and Ethiopia was in a civil war. As a result Western powers began to withdraw both financial and food aid. The biggest issues began to arise when the US, under President Biden, withdrew all of its aid, with a particular focus on the money earmarked for the Ethiopina Defense Forces, as they were one of the leading contributors to the UN Forces in Africa. Essentially, the administration had said that they were unwilling to finance Ethiopia's civil war. This increase anit-Western sentiments. The combination of these events, on top of the exploitative use of images from Ethiopia durign the 80s caused quite a few Ethiopians to be suspiscious of a white man with a camera. However, despite that, a good many Ethiopians were more than happy to let me photography them.
An Ethiopian man sits on the stairs in front of one of the many shops in the Merkato, Ethiopia's largest market district, early on a weekend morning as he checks his phone.
When I arrived in late 2021 many people were still following the Covid protocals, including wearing a mask, and social distancing.
The streets of the Merkato were particularly empty of cars and people when I arrived there one morning. These gentlemen decided to play a pickup game of football to pass the time.
One of the things that impressed me about Addis Ababa was its inherent diversity in terms of religion and tribal affiliation. When I talked to the people there, the vast majority simply said none of that was really important, they were simply Ethiopian.
Tailors and seamstresses dot the streets of Addis. They will quickly repair any clothing that needs it. Their equipment ranges from relatively new to antique push-pedal machines. This man was set up early and awaiting customers at the Merkato.
People are people. Some will begin performing, dancing, or posing when they see you with a camera. This man started dancing while I was walking from the Piazza
The Piazza, which has since been torn down, was vibrant and full of life and colour. This woman was talking to a friend who was passing on the street under her balcony.
These workers called for my attention as I was taking photos of the building they were finishing up construction on.
This man was handing out pamphlets when he saw me taking photos. He decided to start dancing.
In the early morning light people crossed a bridge that went below one overpass, and over an underpass. Perhaps on their way to school or work.
People looking for work check out an employment opportunities board. It was explained to me that most of them will be lucky to find daywork.
You would often see groups of men gathered together near construction sites hoping to get work for the day.
Even children are not alien to earning money for their family. This boy takes pride in his shoe shine stand, and the umbrella that keeps the sun off of him. Taken near the Piazza.
Shoe shine stands are a dime a dozen on the sidewalks of Addis Ababa. They will try to shine up any shoe you can think of, from running shoes to leather dress shoes.
Foozball seems to be a particular favorite on the streets of Addis. These young men, near the Shola Market District, were having a particularly intense game.
Another way that children earn money for their family is by begging for money. They might not be homeless as such, and are very likely in school. But, outside of school hours they can be found on the streets.
Skateboarding has taken off in Addis Ababa. If you hit the right area at the right time of day you can see people skating in public places. These individuals are showing off their stuff at Addis Skatepark.
This young man was playing foozball near Shola until he heard something that made him suddenly turn his head and look behind him.
I wasn't paying attention to this man until he started yelling at me and, from what was translated, told me to "take this f*@%ing photo!" He seemed a little angry, so I obliged.
This woman is very protective of the child underneath the blanket as she begs for money on the street. This situation is not an uncommon site in Addis.