Girls from Ethiopia shake up Oakland with national dances

Rachel Howard, Special to The Chronicle

Tuesday, September 5, 2006

It didn't seem like the scene could get any sunnier Sunday, as thousands of Ethiopians and admirers of Ethiopian culture gathered on the north shore of Oakland's Lake Merritt -- the women in traditional flowing white gowns, the men in suits, the children clambering on trees, and everyone eating injera and laughing. But then 7-year-old Sofia Kedir took center stage, stamping and shaking her tiny shoulders as though her 3-foot frame had been possessed by rhythm. The crowd went crazy for her.