On the 13th month of the Ethiopian calendar, the very last Saturday of the 2011 EC, it was a very gloomy weather. Yet, shops were open from early in the morning. The narrow streets of Shiro Meda, to a certain extent, resemble the bustling Medina of Marrakech. Usually, during holidays, Shiro Meda is full of people buzzing, women can be seen excited to get a new Habesha kemis (dress), getting measured, choosing designs or trying readymade dresses, picking up orders and discussing payment. Shockingly,…