Ethiopian Community Association in Nashville (ECAN)

የኢትዮጵያውያን ማህበር በናሽቪል (ኢማና)

Our History

The Ethiopian Community Association in Nashville has its roots back in the 1980’s with a small group consisting of Major Girma, Sister Yirga and few others with dedicated inspiration to build a strong community. There is no record that the initially established organization was registers as a nonprofit organization, but it existed and assisted many Ethiopians in Nashville.

 

The Ethiopian community in Nashville, under its current name was formed on March 12, 1996. It was registered by Dawit Aynachew who became it’s first chairman. Rubka Tamerat was its secretary, and Sister Yirga was the Treasurer. The second wave of formation started when groups of friends who used to gather around the Bellevue area for social events and later on began “Equb” (An Ethiopian style savings plan) determined to formally organize and start a nonprofit organization.

 

on April 5, 1996 (in the same year ECAN was registered), the community lost one of its ardent supporter and founder Major Girma Damte. The fact that he was instrumental in the formation of the community was memorialized in his eulogy. The loss of his joyful and On April 5, 1996 (in the same year ECAN was registered), the community lost one of its ardent supporter and founder Major Girma Damte. The fact that he was instrumental in the formation of the community was memorialized in his eulogy. The loss of his joyful and entertaining appearance was captured in the same eulogy by the following words:

 

ሐዘናችን በዛ አበቃ ሳቃችን

ነፍሳትን ለማሳቅ ሄደና ግርማችን!!!

 

The name ECAN was meant to remind us that we Ethiopians Can make it in Nashville. It was our, “Yes We Can” before the term was popularized by President Obama. The formation of the community has strengthened the formation of other faith-based organizations and ECAN’s contribution in making the community’s presence felt around Nashville was pivotal. ECAN was one of the oldest participants in the annual International Food and culture gatherings in Vanderbilt’s Sarratt Center and later on in Centennial Mall.

 

Throughout its existence, ECAN tried its best to help the Ethiopian community in Nashville and showcase our reach cultural heritage to other communities with in Nashville and surrounding area.

 

Yet, there is much to do and we need all the support from our members to create a knowledgeable, empowered, responsible, productive, collaborative, and engaged Ethiopian Community in Nashville, while preserving and promoting our unique cultural tradition and diverse heritage.