By Veronica Henry
Wayna Wondwossen
When did you decide what you wanted to do with your life? For some, maybe 18, for others, perhaps 30 and there are those that are still trying to find their true path. Imagine knowing what you wanted to do at age 6. Washington, DC R&B star Wayna knew just that, and in fact, proclaimed her destiny to be a singer in a letter to her father. In search of better educational opportunities, Wayna and her mother immigrated from their native Ethiopia to America when she was just a toddler. Though they were in a new environment, her mother was determined to instill traditional Ethiopian values in her life. “I feel like I grew up in Ethiopia, in America,” Wayna says. “It was an interesting mix of two very different worlds.” Her gratitude for her mother’s sacrifice is expressed in the song, Mama’s Sacrifice from the CD, Moments of Clarity, Book 1. Many of us can relate to the fact that we are reluctant to disappoint our parents and Wayna was no different. Instead of immediately pursuing a career in music, she opted for the more traditional route and obtained a degree in English from the University of Maryland. She then began work at the White House as a a writer for the Clinton administration. She looks back at the time fondly, recalling the intelligent people she worked with and the challenging environment… Read more >>
9 thoughts on “Wayna Wondwossen: American Soul with Ethiopian Roots”
I always say Ethiopians are unique; if they have the will, they have the brains and excel in any disciplines: music, science, philosophy, history, mathematics, enginery, psychology, astronomy, medicine, law, agronomy, theology, and many other subjects but leadership.
I feel proud for her because of her pride in being “herself”, Ethiopian. I do despise those who claim they are more of American and who pretend to even forget where they are from! Good Job, girl!
Good Job My Ethiopian Sister. we all shouls learn from her what it mean to satsify our family goal first and then our interest. because as abesha we all know that our parents want as to be educated first which she did then pursue on whatever our goal is.keep the good work girl…
i must say that this sister has both beauty and intelligency and the possession of these qualities are as significant as basic human needs. i don’t know about u guys ,but i am ready to hear her melody and charming words.we need more this kind of story as a motivation.
i thank u
Assta B. Gettu,
I agree with your observation here about our people’s potentials in many areas. I believe you have made a mistake about leadership potential. Just read carefully about the story of this musician. One of her songs is Mama’s Sacrifice. Isn’t it a tribute to her Mom’s leadership ability in raising her daughter to become who she has become? I always admire the leadership skills of our fathers and mothers who do not have the transitory “formal education,” but rooted in the values of our cultures. May be you need to make a distinction between the leadership skills of those who went through the transitory formal education, and those whose skills are rooted in our age old cultures; generally, the latter outweigh the former in their leadership skills. To be sure, I am not even sure that many of those who went through the transitory formal education closely understand the values and potentials of our cultures, much less the leadership skills in it.
It is a Great job girl! You did it!
Good role Model sister. It is very nice to see young Ethiopian Born in Ethiopia and Bread and grew up in the West and yet still hangs on to her root. Its indeed refreshing and uplifting to witness such a unique and beautiful talent. Sister, I hope the young so called “know it all Ethios” will see you as a big role model and follow in your foot step, of course the foot step may not be Music career but Success in any discipline. I sure admire your mom for taking the time and effort to teach you your ancestors roots. Nowadays Ethiopian Parents in the west have so much responsibility to bring up a kid in the western society and for sure in your case your mom has done a very good job and she deserved to be applaud. I wish you all the best in the world in your future success and who knows I may even witness your music Live. God bless Ethiopia and Its people.
Weyena
I am very proud of you our ethiopian sister. Can you sing a single music that can expose the dectotarial regime of tplf? good help, let us all expose this regime.
Dear Naga Tuma,
You are absolutely right that I should have made a distinction between those good Ethiopian leaders and those other bad Ethiopian leaders. I was thinking about our present Ethiopian leaders- the Woyanne – when I said “but leadership.”
Thank you for the correction!