BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
The practice of oral literature in Ethiopia is strong and has contributed greatly in shaping generation of the past. As a child it is fair to assume an Ethiopian had taken some lessons from folksongs, stories and legends. This stories helped the child to form a certain acceptable behavior and gain traditional wisdom. For instance, the story of Queen of Sheba and Solomon was a relevant historical and religious story to understand Ethiopia’s past glory and zeal. Other stories of Aleqa Gebrehanna and others have greatly impacted atitude and prespective of my generation. As time goes by the mechanism should have been changed to writing stories, poems or even novels that have social significance.
In the Emperor Haile Selassie’s reign, it seems the monarchy had taken seriously as many writers. The prolific Kebede Michael, the distinguished Blatten Geta Heruy Welde Sellase and the great poet Kegne Geta Yoftahe Negussie emerged. Anyone who reads their works finds emperor Haileselassie’s message either in the introduction or the after word. The writers also dedicate their works to the emperor as they have role in maintaining the ideology of the state and producing generation that can realize the ambition of the country. The emperor has great affectionate bond with these writers. For instance, emperor Haile Selassie described Heruy in his autobiography as a “brilliant and strong-willed author”, included the following words in his elegy at Heruy’s funeral:
“My colleague and friend Herui, as you depart after successful completion of your service to your country, if I fail to say ‘you are great’, your works would give the lie to my words. Although the storm generated by wicked people destabilized the world and buffeted you, it did not defeat you. Yet you had to obey the rule of the Great and Kind Lord. We are all subject to this eventually.”
First-ever winner of the Haile Selassie I Prize Award in Amharic Literature, Kebede Michael has attempted to show humilty, wisdom and faith of Ethiopians in his ninety plus books. In poems and stories that have alegorical nature, Kebede attempted to spread and make those values contagious among generation. Indeed, the emperor initative and encourgment brought other giant writers whose influences reach to this time.
The poems and plays of laureate Tsegaye Gebremedhin, the novel of Haddis Alemayehu, Gebrekirstos Desta’s poem and paintings and most honored world laureate meter artist Afewerk Tekle’s paintings can be used to inspire and empower coming generation. But the inclusion of these materials are very rare. Ethiopian schools especially at elementary level seem to be detached from local wisdom. Text books tend to focus on introducing foreign literary figures like William Shakespeare, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Leo Tolstoy and Chinua Achebe.
The exclusion or inadequate use of local materials disconnect pupils from their surroundings. They can’t be able to communicate easily with their fellow citizens; and their contribution will also be affected. Since they don’t know what they have, they may lack sense of patriotism and be attracted to outside than being proud of who they are and what they have. It is for sure s/he that reads laureate Tsegaye Gebremedhin’s “Petros yachin seat” or Gebrekirstos Desta’s “Hagere” will have regrets about Ethiopia’s present condition as they can see the beauty of Ethiopian landscape, the strong social bond with the community and the characters’ commitment to their faith and their country. Therefore, children can sustain the good in the society and bring what is best from the outside world without leaving what is theirs.
At this precise moment in time when literate and disciplinnary citizens are in high demand for the existence and development of the country, the government should see how the future generation is being shaped. Are the instrument we are using enough? Do the modules reflect Ethiopia and its future? It is worth to appreciate that there is construction of state of the art library. But it is also significant to encourge writers and culture of reading through inclusion of interesting and worthy books I mentioned before and others.
Another thing that is affecting literarcy in the country is our attitude towards literature particularly to local literature. For many parents, reading fiction, poems and short stories seems a waste of time. Drawing and painting are also considered distractors. But the reality is totally opposite to what Ethiopian parents think. Art in any form helps educational activities. Art makes learning interesting and unforgettable.
Educator Anna Reyner in her intro to school books wrotes this: “Art activities are a great way to promote literacy and language development. Children who draw pictures about stories they have read improve their reading comprehension, story understanding and motivation to read new materials they have not seen before.” There urban parents understand the value of reading beyond limit. The problem here is they don’t value local literature as they encourage children to read foreign literary works. Children are exposed to reading notable works outside. Their undersanding of the world is impressive but they struggle to read and understand local works. That alinates them from the society around them. Even if they are thoughtful and have the potential, they can’t contribute to their society as they have limited or no exposure to their native culture, wisdom and talent. Accordingly, they would belittle what is inside the country and yearn to the outside.
Therefore, it is auspcious time now Ethiopia as a state to promote local literature by recognizing its artists and their works. At least coming generation should get the chance at the schools, the media and other means. It is at the ideas of great thinkers and artists nations evolve and became influential. Like Kebede Michael and others.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 20 NOVEMBER 2022
