Called Latey, this new competition-based reality-show is doing the same in Ethiopia. It also explores the burgeoning world of dating in a country where courtship has traditionally been a particularly exclusive, domestic pursuit. D!nk TV really developed a forward thinking program and made it widely available on YouTube. In what has become one of the most popular dating shows in Ethiopia, this daring new approach takes us inside an unconventional yet riveting format never before seen in Ethiopian culture.
The show features ten women vying for the love of one man. This premise is in glaring contrast to Ethiopia’s conservative political, sexual and romantic ideals. Despite its competitive angle, Latey aims to showcase the realities and romantic desires of the women involved, rather than reducing them to mere objects of competition. The program is already proving to be “the content of its times.” More than anything, it speaks to an audience by unapologetically sticking it to the man.
Producer of the show, Metasebia Yoseph, wanted to make sure that Latey is not created to be hyper-sexualized. “Number one – it is not hyper-sexualised,” she stated, aiming to clarify the show’s intent. This distinction has led many viewers to appreciate the program as a reflection of contemporary Ethiopian society rather than a threat to its values.
Latey documents the richness and complexity of its fellows’ lives. Each individual comes with their very own Individual Issues and Experiences to share and contribute! Fellow contestant Bethel Getahun, winner of the show’s first season, took pride in the reality show. She thinks it’s one of the best representations of women of all shades. “If you have seen the episodes, you can see every woman in that episode has a lot of different struggles, backgrounds, and all different kinds of stuff that hasn’t really been expressed or represented in media in Ethiopia,” she noted.
The show has ignited discussion and debate about male and female roles, expectations, and perceptions in Ethiopian society. Cynthia’s video goes further — it challenges viewers to examine how women are seen and treated in dating situations. Bethel’s victory feels like a “badge of honour” for her, and she appreciates the platform Latey provides for discussing women’s empowerment. “Ladies, you are not an object that the one with money can easily pick you up,” she remarked.
Latey’s success has D!nk TV already celebrating by announcing plans for a second series. With this season, the show’s creator Tesfaye Tsadiku looks to go even further, breaking new ground and addressing topics that reflect contemporary Ethiopian life and culture. Metasebia Yoseph emphasized that the listening public wants to witness transitions of power in upcoming seasons. This reflects a broader demand for less monolithic stories in dating spaces.
Yet for such an unconventional approach, Latey has not been controversial. Ethiopian Heritage critics claim that it veers from core Ethiopian cultural values. On one side, opponents claim that it simply makes the world a more dangerous place. Semere Kassaye, a cultural observer, pointed out that “the concept of a dating show is entirely a Western idea.” Nonetheless, supporters claim that Latey really gets at the heart of what romantic relationships are like in Ethiopia.
Bethel Getahun, for example, has provided a window into her experience on her journey to meet and eventually marry the winning suitor, who now lives in the U.S. It is indeed long distance as he is currently in America with his son. Now, it felt impossible to keep those long-distance friendships alive, she recalled. Pretentiousness aside, I truly have no idea where it’s going to take us.
As Latey continues to gain popularity, it reflects a broader shift in Ethiopian society toward openness in discussing relationships and courtship. Thousands of viewers express their gratitude that the show has the guts to discuss these things openly. This daring method is changing the story about romantic relationships in Ethiopia.
Leave a Reply