Ethiopian Community Association in Nashville (ECAN)

የኢትዮጵያውያን ማህበር በናሽቪል (ኢማና)

Our History

The Ethiopian Community Association in Nashville has its roots in the 1980s, with a small group consisting of Major Girma, Sister Yirga, and a few others who were dedicated to building a strong community. There is no record that the initially established organization was registered 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. Dawit Aynachew became the first chairman, Rubka Tamerat was the secretary, and Sister Yirga was the treasurer. The second wave of formation began when groups of friends who used to gather around the Bellevue area for social events later started an “Equb” (an Ethiopian-style savings plan) and decided to formally establish a nonprofit organization.

 

On April 5, 1996 (the same year ECAN was registered), the community lost one of its ardent supporters and founders, 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 presence 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 strengthened the establishment of other faith-based organizations, and ECAN’s contribution to 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 at Vanderbilt’s Sarratt Center and later at Centennial Mall.

 

Throughout its existence, ECAN has worked diligently to help the Ethiopian community in Nashville and showcase our rich cultural heritage to other communities within Nashville and the surrounding areas.

 

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