Dear readers,

Welcome to the 4th issue of Tadias Magazine. We are delighted by the encouraging responses we have been receiving from you in support of our publication. Eight months ago, in our premiere issue, we declared that Tadias was envisioned in a spirit of collaboration and with the hope of creating a truly close relationship with our readers. Many of you have requested that we help promote the emerging talent in the Ethiopian-American fashion industry. As a reflection of this growing bond with our valued readers, we are pleased to introduce a new section called "Fashion Talk". The section showcases an impressive array of up-and-coming fashion designers in the diaspora. In her debut article, our Fashion Editor, Mahlet Tekelemariam, presents Bilen Estephanos and her company B'Ware in a special gloss-page dedicated to this new section. Bilen, a self-taught Ethiopian-American designer, has made her mark by mixing Ethiopian culture and urban American style to produce stunning collections of elegant clothing and trendy furniture. We hope you enjoy perusing her work as we have.

This is indeed an exciting time for Tadias. Last month we held a magazine launch party on the East Coast. The event held at an exclusive Washington D.C. location (Club 1223), had high attendance and is further indication that our vision of fostering a strong link with our community is bearing fruit. We extend our warm thanks to everyone who joined us in our celebration and our deep gratitude goes to our sponsors who made the event possible.

In addition, we are happy to announce that Tadias was recently selected to be profiled in New California Media's national directory. NCM is a consortium of over 600 ethnic media organizations. This selection affirms the value of our target market. Since our inaugural issue in January of this year, our subscription base has quadrupled and we continue to receive new subscription requests on a daily basis. Our readers, ranging in age from 18-55, subscribe from Europe, Africa, Australia, and over 25 states in the U.S. The rapid growth of our magazine is great news to our advertisers, who receive unique access to the nationís largest, most educated and affluent immigrant population. We encourage business owners to contact our marketing department to discuss advertising opportunities. Our friendly customer-service agents are ready to assist you 24-hours a day, 7-days a week at (800) 209-1928.

In this issue, as always, our team has worked diligently to bring you a variety of articles, which we hope you will find to your liking. In our Speak Out section, Aman Paulos, a longtime student of martial arts, shares a remarkable story of his training in Aikido. We expect his story will encourage young people to take up martial arts not only as a self-defense training, but also as way to lead a self-disciplined life.

In her Opinion piece, Phiven Mekuria Saifu, a 21-year-old journalism student in Los Angeles, tells her struggle to claim her Ethiopian identity while continually living under conflicting cultural pressures from her parents on one hand and her peers on the other. She asks, "Why do Ethiopians have children in America, raise them here, and then criticize them for not being Ethiopian enough or being too American?" We hope her view will spark a healthy debate on the subject. We look forward to receiving your letters.

The Team

Introducing Our New Section: Fashion Talk
Bilen Estephanos, a self-taught Ethiopian-American designer, has made her mark by mixing Ethiopian culture and urban American style.

Bilen is a designer residing in Washington D.C. area. She has been sewing and designing clothes since her early childhood. Bilen was born and raised in Ethiopia and draws her inspiration from the diverse cultural heritage found in her homeland.

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New Hip-Hop Album Featuring Ethiopian-American Chanteuse

The Buzz About the Nanny: Nikodimos' New Film

Tadias Magazine Launch Party - Washington D.C.

Speak Out: Aikido as a Way of Life

ESAi: part II A Conversation w/ New Generation of Student Leaders

First Ethiopian Delegation in the U.S. in 1919 Made Headlines

Chachi Tadesse: Philanthropy and Music

Beware The Know-It-All Interpreter

by Dr. Alice Chen

Editor's Note: Ethiopian-Americans who are not proficient in English have the right to access interpreter services in hospitals, clinics and other health care settings. The following article discusses problems that arise when one is faced with a bad interpreter. Although Dr. Alice narrates her experience with a Korean patient, the problem is common among all immigrant communities, including ours.

When Mrs. Chon went to the doctor for the first time, she was exhausted and her whole body felt swollen. She had no insurance and had run out of her thyroid and blood pressure medications. But her biggest problem was that she didn't speak English and the doctor didn't speak Korean. Mrs. Chon talked to an interpreter. Instead of relating what she was saying to the doctor, the interpreter told her to stop complaining. "Everyone feels tired," the interpreter said. Mrs. Chon left her doctor's visit feeling discouraged, with no diagnosis or treatment. continued...

Keeping my Ethiopian Culture While Growing Up in America

Why do Ethiopians have children in America, raise them here, and then criticize them for not being Ethiopian enough or being too American? I find it difficult to figure out why I get condemned for not speaking fluent Amharic. I had no say as a child as to where I wanted to be raised.continued...

The God Who Begat a Jackal By Nega Mezlekia

Deep within the conquering blue sky, far beyond the feathered patrols and their scouts, lives the all-seeing Mawu-Lisa, God of my people. With two faces on one head, Mawu-Lisa is both man and woman. Mawu, the woman, is in charge of the night; Lisa, the male, directs the day. continued...