High hoops: how two brothers became Africa’s biggest circus duo
It all started with three oranges. One school breaktime in Jimma, western Ethiopia, Bibi and Bichu Tesfamariam saw a teacher throwing fruit into the air. “He had three oranges and started doing tricks, and me and my brother were like: ‘Wow, this is the coolest thing we’ve ever seen!’ We didn’t even know what it was called. He told us: ‘This is juggling,’” says younger brother Bichu, then 13, and now 38. The brothers were desperate to learn. “We came back the next day with lots of oranges.”That was the start of a career that has led to the brothers performing around the world, from appearing at the opening celebrations of the Millennium Dome in London to the Fuji Rock festival in Japan. They have juggled at English National Opera and on numerous TV shows. They
You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.
Start your free 30 days