Browsing by Author "Yilma, Neguss"

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    An Archetypal Analysis of Zeyera at Genete Pilgrimage Center
    (Addis Ababa University, 2009-06) Yilma, Neguss; Yazbec, Ms.Olga(PhD)
    This research is intended to reveal the use of the recurrent archetypes in the Zeyera, praise songs. at Genere pi/grimage center which is situated at a place called Gutlno Genete. in Arsi zone, Oromia Region in Ethiopia. II lVas founded by a hloman affeCliol1(lteiy called Ayo Mamina. The slIIdy is confined TO the functions and significance of the recurrent mythical images and archetypal patterns represented ill the aforementioned pieces of oral songs, Zeyera. In the song archetypes are IIsed to glorify the miracles of the shrine founder, Ayo Momina, and they are also made to emphasize the positive features of human interactions slich as brotherhood, love, honesty, etc. Data for this study are collected from the center mainly through participant observation and unstructured inrerviews. The method used to analyze the data is archetypal criticism. It deals with archetypes which are primordial images perceived across cultures, inherited from time immemorial, issuing from a 'collective unconsciolls '. All archetype is a mythic symbol, which is deeply rooted in the unconscious, more broadly based all afounda/ion of universal nature than all ordinary literary symbol, and is more generally expressive of the elemental in man and natllre (lung: 1959; Bodkin: 1961). The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the oral poets' lise of recurrent mythical images and archetypal pallerns in their efforts to communicare their visions of life. The study argues that the positive aspects of human interactions that are depicted through the recurrent mythical images and archetypal pal/ems of Zeyera contribute milch 10 the existing tolerance among the diversified adherents at the center, and the founder of the shrin e, Ayo Momina, plays the archetypal role of mother. Furthermore, Ayo Momina's role as goddess in the praise songs puts her in the upper ladder among the community of the worshippers, which is not commonly seen in a society where the dominant ideology has been patriarchy. This investigation familiarizes the reader with holY mythical motifs and archetypes enable the poets of Zeyera, the oral praise songs, to communicate their visions of reality, which are essentially timeless.
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    Thematic Analysis of Selected Amharic Song Lyrics: A Sociological Approach By: Neguss Yilma Woldesenbet March
    (Addis Ababa University, 2018-03) Yilma, Neguss; Mathewes, Berhanu (PhD)
    This study examines the themes of Amharic song lyrics composed during the three consecutive regimes: Emperor Haile Selassie I, the Derge and the EPRDF. It offers a critical reading of the governing ideologies’ roles in shaping the themes of the song lyrics, and the social functions of song lyrics at different historical periods. To this end, sixty (60) Amharic song lyrics composed by different lyricists have been selected through multistage sampling methods and analyzed. The three sociological perspectives: functionalism, conflict and symbolic interactionism have been adopted to conduct a qualitative analysis on the selected Amharic song lyrics. In addition, due attentions have been given to the governing ideology of the stated each period while analyzing the themes of the selected Amharic song lyrics. From this study, the following findings have been drawn. The major themes of Amharic song lyrics composed during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie I are patriotism, education, moral decadence (prostitution and corruption) and political discontents. The positive functions of education and patriotism to enhance the stability and continuity of the society are emphasized in the songs. Whereas, the song lyrics which deal with the themes of moral decadence and political discontents show how poverty and maladministration caused the people’s grievances and hopelessness. The inevitability of conflict between the oppressed mass and the ruling class due to the unfair distribution of wealth and political repressions is implied in these song lyrics. The Amharic song lyrics composed during the reign of the Derge are thematically categorized into revolutionary songs and non-revolutionary songs. Apart from echoing the motto of the order “Ethiopia First”, the themes of revolutionary songs hugely celebrate the achievements of the 1974 revolution. The revolutionists’ effort to fight the serious political repressions is much appreciated in these songs. On the other hand, these songs label the opposition parties (EPRP & MEISON), the secessionists (TPLF & EPLF) and the Somali aggressors as the enemy of the revolution. Though few in number, the non-revolutionary songs of the period uncover the political discontents of the time. Political discontents and migration are given much emphasis in Amharic song lyrics composed during the reign of EPRDF. These songs exposed EPRDF’s failure to facilitate the country’s transition towards democracy. In addition, the songs depict the social defeat that the nation faces due to migration. The Amharic love songs collected from the stated three periods are thematically categorized into romantic love and maternal love. The functional roles of beauty, forgiveness, longing and idealization to blossom the intimates’ strong attachments as well as the threatening effects of betrayal and gossip on the lovers’ lives are depicted through the romantic love songs of Amharic. The unspeakable sacrifices that mothers make for the wellbeing of their children are shown in the songs that discuss maternal love. In general, in this study, it is identified that the themes of Amharic songs are dominantly topical, and they have significant contemporary relevance. Therefore, further investigations need to be conducted on the songs from different perspectives to uncover the major messages that they (the songs’) convey. Particularly, conducting comparative analysis on the themes of Amharic song lyrics and the song lyrics of other indigenous languages is recommended to understand the comprehensive sociopolitical landscape of the nation.