Alemayehu Ambo

In the Lands of Black Lions and Whi Bears: My Life in Ethiopia and Canada Alemayehu Ambo

Known as theSwitzerland of Africa because of its many mountains, hills and valleys, Ethiopiais one of the oldest countries in the world and is said to be the original homeof the human race. Along with its many archaeological discoveries, Ethiopiagave coffee to humankind. However, internal conflicts and external aggressionhave contributed to its poverty and famines. For nearly two decades of militaryrule, people could expect to wake to find dead bodies scattered in the streetsof Addis Ababa and elsewhere in Ethiopia. Canada isone of the largest countries in the world, endowed with abundant naturalresources and a mosaic population. It is one of the best countries in the worldto live in and its people are kind and generous. This bookrecounts the life of a man who knows both Ethiopiaand Canada well. In doing so, it reveals the contrast between the grimmest andthe brightest sides of human nature. It reminds us that people are capable ofdoing both good and evil, that both Mother Theresa and Hitler were part of ourworld, and that this duality continues. We come to see how this continues tomanifest, in varying degrees, not just in Ethiopia, but in Canada and in other parts of Africa.