It has been almost a month since the death of beloved Ethiopian artist and activist Haacaaluu Hundeessaa, who was gunned down in the capital Addis Ababa.
Millions of Ethiopians around the world have been paying tributes for the musician since the tragedy. But the pain is even greater for Haacaaluu’s grieving parents, who expressed their sorrow in an interview with Reuters.
“My heart won’t heal until the day I go and join him,” said Hundeessaa Bonsa, the musician’s father. “My wound lives as it is, it won’t heal. Haacaaluu was the shining son of the house.”
Like many of his fans around the world who were inspired by his songs, Haacaalu’s mother calls her son a hero.
“My son was a hero like a lion, he roared about his people, but he was eaten by rats,” Gudetu Hora said.
Haacaaluu was born and buried in the town of of Ambo, which is located about 62 miles west of the capital. Although his mother encouraged him to keep singing when he was a boy, Haacaaluu’s father wanted him to be a doctor.
“I used to sing whatever came to my head,” Haacaaluu told BBC in 2017.
The young artist followed his passion and became an iconic artist. But he also used his platform to speak up for social justice. His songs became an anthem for the Oromo people, who have been organizing mass protests in recent years and demanding to be treated equally as other ethnic groups in the country.
“My son didn’t live for himself, but for others,” Gudetu said. “He feels the pain of his people.”
Read more about Haacaaluu here.
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