Ethiopia in the USA

  • Dates
    2016 - Ongoing
  • Author
  • Topics Portrait, Daily Life, Documentary
  • Locations Ethiopia, Virginia, Washington

This is an ongoing project that looks into identity among Ethiopian immigrants and their connection to their homeland while integrating to the American way of life.

They try to create a “home away from home”. Even though they have left Ethiopia in search of “the American dream”, they long for home and try to bring bits of it with them. This is what I witnessed while photographing the Ethiopian community in the United States, specifically those residing in the Washington D.C. and Virginia area. There is a sense of nostalgia, and of wanting to still keep a part of who they are, while at the same time integrating into the U.S. society as immigrants.

This series, “Ethiopia in the USA”, started as part of the World Press Photo East Africa Master Class (2016) personal documentation on the topic of "Community". It explores the intersection of two identities, particularly of Ethiopian-American identities-- and this connection to their homeland Ethiopia while integrating into their American identity.

© Hilina Abebe - Image from the Ethiopia in the USA photography project
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Alemtsehay Wedajo, a prominent Ethiopian Poet and Writer at her office at the Taitu Cultural Center in Washington D.C talks on the phone about an upcoming poetry night she and others in the Diaspora run every month. The event has been running since 2000 and held in the DMV area. "We want to raise the consciousness of Ethiopians here towards art", she says. She sees the poetry night as a uniting force among Ethiopians.

© Hilina Abebe - Image from the Ethiopia in the USA photography project
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A Sunday mass gathers for prayer at the Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA. The Church was founded 20 years ago in a rented establishment.

© Hilina Abebe - Image from the Ethiopia in the USA photography project
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An usher collects offerings from a Sunday mass at the Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Falls Church, Virginia. The Church was founded 20 years ago and continues to be one of the domains where the community comes in together.

© Hilina Abebe - Image from the Ethiopia in the USA photography project
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A mass awaits to kiss the Cross after a Sunday morning service ends at the Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA.

© Hilina Abebe - A woman stands by the entrance of the Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA after Sunday service.
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A woman stands by the entrance of the Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA after Sunday service.

© Hilina Abebe - Members of the Ethiopian community after a Sunday mass at the Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA.
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Members of the Ethiopian community after a Sunday mass at the Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA.

© Hilina Abebe - Image from the Ethiopia in the USA photography project
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Kidane Miheret, one of the Ethiopian Orthodox Churches is where the faithful come for worship after work hours in Falls Church, VA.

© Hilina Abebe - Image from the Ethiopia in the USA photography project
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Yohannes left Ethiopia for the US 30 years ago and calls America his second home. After relocating from New York six years ago where he used to own an Ethiopian restaurant, he now runs a shop in Falls Church Virginia, where he sells Ethiopian spices and fresh 'Injera' imported daily from Addis Ababa.

© Hilina Abebe - Image from the Ethiopia in the USA photography project
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A hair salon in Falls Church, VA founded by an Ethiopian and a Nigerian entrepreneur attracts customers of African descent, and often brings together many Ethiopians.

© Hilina Abebe - Image from the Ethiopia in the USA photography project
© Hilina Abebe - Image from the Ethiopia in the USA photography project
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A hair salon in Falls Church, VA founded by an Ethiopian and a Nigerian entrepreneur attracts customers of African descent, and often brings together many Ethiopians.

© Hilina Abebe - Image from the Ethiopia in the USA photography project
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One of the apartments in Falls Church, VA, known as "Gojam Berenda" in reference to a location in Addis Ababa, is where many Ethiopians reside in.

© Hilina Abebe - Image from the Ethiopia in the USA photography project
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Mesfin Abebe often comes to the Ethiopian owned Flavor café in Skyline to socialize with other Ethiopians. Mesfin has lived in the US for 32 years.

© Hilina Abebe - A sign in Amharic for fresh snack is displayed in one of the Ethiopian owned stores in Falls Church, VA.
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A sign in Amharic for fresh snack is displayed in one of the Ethiopian owned stores in Falls Church, VA.

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