The Irony of Motherhood in Tigray: A Heartbreaking Redefinition of Love and Sacrifice

By LJDemission
October 07, 2024

In the heart of Tigray, Ethiopia, a paradoxical and heart-wrenching reality unfolds. Mothers, who are universally known for their unparalleled love and care for their children, find themselves in a situation that defies the very essence of motherhood. The irony is stark: celebrating the birth of a child with immense love and care, only to later celebrate their conscription and battlefield death. This phenomenon raises a critical question: what has been done to the mindset of these mothers, and how has their behavior been altered to such an extent?

The traditional role of a mother is to nurture, protect, and ensure the well-being of her child. From the moment a baby is born, a mother dedicates herself to providing the best care, ensuring that her child grows up healthy, fit, and loving. The bond between a mother and her child is one of the strongest and most enduring connections in human existence. The death of a child is an unimaginable sorrow for a mother, a grief that lingers until her last breath.

However, in Tigray, this natural order of motherhood has been disrupted. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has been conscripting teenagers for its war efforts, and mothers are publicly celebrating this situation for about 50 years. They give good luck kisses to their children as they head off to battle, and when a child falls on the battlefield, these mothers publicly celebrate their death. This behavior is not normal, and it begs the question: what has been done to the mindset of these mothers?

Since the TPLF’s inception about 50 years ago, it has brainwashed the Tigrayan people and organized them by their ethnic group to control and rule them. Tigray and its people have been engaged in wars that lasted for a total of over 22 years: 17 years during the TPLF’s fight against the Derg regime, two years against the Eritrean forces (in which the TPLF caused the Tigrayan people to lose their land to Eritrea), and three years of war triggered by the TPLF’s surprise attack against the Ethiopian National Defense Forces Northern Command.

The influence of the TPLF and the societal pressures in Tigray have created an environment where dissent is not an option. Mothers may feel compelled to publicly support the conscription and death of their children out of fear of retribution or ostracization. The celebration of their children’s conscription and death may be a coping mechanism, a way to find meaning and pride in an otherwise devastating situation. It is a tragic testament to the power of indoctrination and the lengths to which individuals will go to survive in a hostile environment.

The TPLF leaders are proud of their martyred fighters. A significant number of Tigrayan diaspora activists still promote war against Ethiopia. This redefinition of ‘motherly love’ is a stark reminder of the impact of war and conflict on the most fundamental aspects of human life. It is a call to action for the international community to address the root causes of this conflict and to provide support and protection for the mothers and children of Tigray. The normalization of such behavior is a sign of deep psychological and societal trauma, and it is imperative that efforts are made to restore peace and stability to the region.

In conclusion, the irony of motherhood in Tigray is a heartbreaking reality that challenges our understanding of love and sacrifice. The celebration of a child’s conscription and death is not a normal behavior; it is a symptom of a society in crisis. It is crucial to question and address the factors that have led to this tragic redefinition of motherhood and to work towards a future where mothers can once again celebrate the birth and life of their children without fear or coercion.

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the writer