Multimedia Theater
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Item Exploring the Aesthetics of Liturgical Performance in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churchat Ta'eka Negest Be'ata Lemariam Monastery, Addis Ababa(Addis Ababa University, 2023-06) Meseret Mebratie; Balew Demissie (PhD)The purpose of this study is to explore the aesthetics of liturgical performance in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. In particular, it is focused on Ta'eka Negest Be'ata Lemariam Monastery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A qualitative research design was used for the study, employing observation, document analysis, and interviews as data collection methods. The results show that religious chants, songs, visual arts, and literature are important elements of liturgical performance in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church liturgy. Participants in the study emphasized the importance of these elements in creating reverent and meditative atmosphere, in conveying the message of the liturgy, and in promoting spiritual transformation. The study has significant implications for our understanding of Ethiopian Christianity and the arts and can contribute to a deeper appreciation of how aesthetic ritual and spirituality involve aesthetical elements often observed in the realm of the Arts.Item Ethiopian Theatre in the Eyes of Expatriates(Addis Ababa University, 2022-05-01) Eyasu Sleshi; Balew Demissie (PhD)Since the opening of Higher Education in Ethiopia, various foreign scholars have studied Ethiopian theater. For the past sixty-seven years, these foreign scholars have studied Ethiopian theater with the help of translators. Although the contribution of these foreign scholars to the development of Ethiopian theater is undeniable, their research findings on Ethiopian theater are often misleading. This study argues that Ethiopian theater should also be studied from an Ethiopian perspective. The aim of the study was to answer the question of how Western scholars understand Ethiopian theater and which field of theater they prefer to study. The study also revisits expatriates’ conclusions and findings about Ethiopian theater. The study had the following research questions. First, which aspect of Ethiopian theater do western writers deal with? Second, what is their generic preference in Ethiopian Theatre scholarship? Third, what are the expatriates’ conclusions and findings in study of Ethiopian theater? This study employed a comparative approach to Ethiopian theater by comparing and contrasting various local and international research findings on Ethiopian theater. The study found that most expatriates studied the historiography of Ethiopian theater. They ignored other practical and theoretical aspects of Ethiopian theatre scholarship. Most expatriates also studied the theater staged in Ethiopian theaters. Popular theater and other genres were left out of their studies. Moreover, the expatriates’ findings and conclusions about Ethiopian theater were misleading, inaccurate and biased. Still, some of the expatriates had a distorted and colonial thinking about Ethiopian theater. They often interpret their research findings from the western perspective. The study concluded that the previous studies on Ethiopian theater conducted by expatriates need further appraisal and critical evaluation. Most of the studies have been one-sided and have dealt with the theater only superficially. The study recommends that any previous study on Ethiopian theater by expatriates needs to be re-evaluated in terms of its research methods, findings, conclusions and implications.Item Exploring the Role of Ethiopia’s National Theatre For Nation Building(Addis Ababa University, 2020-11) Manyazewal Getachew; Balew Demissie (PhD)This study is conducted to explore the role of Ethiopian national theater in nation building in Ethiopia from 2000 to 2010 E.C in Ethiopia. The study addresses the concept of national theater, national identity, nation building and relationships of theater, history of Ethiopian national theater and Ethiopian national identity. In addition, theories of national identity and models of national identity with their political approach of the perspectives of national theater were explained. To achieve the research objectives, the researcher adopted a qualitative approach with a descriptive research design. The research was conducted in Addis Ababa and focused on the Ethiopian national theater. Eight purposively selected informants were interviewed in detail. In addition, four purposively selected theater scripts (Babylon Be salon, Ye Kake Wurdewet, Ye Tewodros Raey and Alkash ena Zafagn) and relevant documents were analyzed and interpreted. Interview, document analysis and observation were used to collect data from primary and secondary sources. The study applies theories of national identity and national identity models (common belonging, constitutional patriotism and self-projections) as parameters to measure the performance of Ethiopian national theater during the study period. The findings of the study show that the Ethiopian National Theater did not fulfill its roles and responsibilities in representing national culture, strengthening national identity, enhancing social solidarity, building national consensus, strengthening national unity and contributing to the nation building process. Therefore, the authorities of the Ethiopian National Theater and the concerned bodies of the National Theater should revisit, its structure, objectives, mission, vision and the themes presented in the theaters. Moreover, the theater house should work more on original, indigenous and researched art works that build national identities and promote national commitment, consensus, peace, democracy and unity within the entire nation.