The Great Ethiopian Enumeration of Dallas: Counting Injera and Unraveling a Mystery
Ah, Dallas, Texas. Land of rodeos, ten-gallon hats, and...Ethiopian food trucks? You bet! But how many Ethiopians call this dusty desert metropolis home? That, my friends, is a question that has stumped statisticians and confused caterers for years.
The Census Caper: A Statistical Sideshow
The official census, bless its bureaucratic heart, puts the number around a measly 4,600. Now, that figure about as likely as a cowboy yodeling opera. Why? Because the census has a funny habit of lumping everyone under the broad umbrella of "African." Ethiopians, with their rich culture and distinct heritage, deserve a more specific headcount than that!
DFW International to the Rescue: Raising the Injera Bar
Thankfully, DFW International swoops in like a knight on a white stallion (or perhaps a more culturally appropriate steed, like a majestic oryx). Their estimates are far more generous, placing the Ethiopian population closer to a whopping 50,000. Now that's a number we can salsa to (or, more accurately, a number we can dance the Eskista to).
But Wait, There's More! The Unofficial Ethiopian Embassy Speaks
Here's where things get juicy. The ever-reliable (wink, wink) president of the Dallas Ethiopian American Chamber of Commerce, Betru Gebregziabher, throws another number into the mix: 35,000. Now we have a range! Enough to start a friendly game of Ethiopian hopscotch, wouldn't you say?
So, How Many Ethiopians Are There Really?
Truth is, the exact number is a bit of a mystery, shrouded in the delicious smells of berbere spice and simmering shiro wat. But here's what we do know: there's a thriving Ethiopian community in Dallas, and it's growing like injera rising in a hot pan.
The Moral of the Story?
Next time you're in Dallas and hear the rhythmic beat of dhol drums, follow your nose (and your ears) to a vibrant Ethiopian eatery. You'll be greeted with warm smiles, delicious food, and maybe even an answer (or at least a well-educated guess) to the age-old question: how many Ethiopians live in Dallas?
