Multimedia Theater
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Afro-Centric Analytic Of Basha Ashebir Bamerica (Mengistu Lema’s Call For Hegemonic Black Race Category A Deadend To Ethiopian’s National Identity conciousness)(2024-07) Rozina Alemu; Balew DemissieEthiopia is a unique nation in Africa with a distinctive national character. Its ability "to sustain an unbroken chain of historical civilization free of foreign "corruption" for millennia" has been primarily cited as the reason for the country's uniqueness. One important factor that sets Ethiopians apart from other Africans and people of African descent worldwide is their awareness of their race, which also greatly excludes them from the western (modern) racial classifications. Despite the important role that Ethiopians' race identity plays in their local, regional (African), and worldwide racial relations, Ethiopian and other African scholars seem to have failed to investigate Ethiopians' race consciousness. Another problem that adds to the misperceptions and misunderstandings surrounding the topic is that the scant studies and researches on this topic that are now available are works of Eurocentric scholarship with a predominantly biased picture of an African reality. According to several scholars, Ethiopia's lengthy history of trade, religious exchanges, and ancient civilization have had a significant influence on the development of its own distinct character.Although it is true that these presumptions could provide a logical foundation for drawing a sound conclusion regarding Ethiopians' unique race identity consciousness in Africa, it would be reasonable to question why Ethiopians came to favor a particular racial grouping in the first place. I entirely concentrate on the key historical events and facts that, in my opinion, are essential to comprehending the problem of Ethiopian race, laying aside implications of the complicated and fluid notion of modern race identity itself on this dilemma and its potential response at this early stage.Item The Utilization of Indigenous Culture in “Eregnaye” Amharic TV Serial Drama(Addis Ababa University, 2023-11) Tilahun Sintayehu Zenebe; Assefa Worku Tiruneh (Assistant Professor)This thesis has one main objective and three specific objectives. The main objective of this thesis is to study the utilization of Indigenous culture in the "Eregnaye" TV serial drama. The specific objectives are first to explain those Indigenous cultures that are used in the ―Eregnaye‖ TV serial drama. Secondly, identify the advantages and disadvantages of focusing only on the Indigenous culture of the “Eregnaye” TV serial drama. The third specific objective of this thesis is to analyse how Indigenous cultures have created and developed the artistic and aesthetic value of the ―Eregnaye‖ TV serial drama. The significance of Indigenous culture on the aesthetic values of the "Eregnaye" TV serial drama is examined. The reason for conducting the study is lack of research papers showing how culture is used for artistic purposes. The study also argues that the use of culture for artistic purposes contributes significantly to the development of story and plot or themes of work of arts. The study has used a qualitative research method. Because of the comprehensive analysis of the drama, the following conclusions were drawn: Indigenous culture could play an important role in the development of Eregnaye's TV serial drama as a work of art. This means that the stories, settings, characters, themes, and even dialogue of “Eregnaye” TV serial dramas are shaped by Indigenous culture. Material and non-material cultures are used to drive dramatic stories. The origin and purpose of drama stories and plots are shaping Study the norms, values, and beliefs that reflect the Indigenous culture of a community/ society. Finally, Eregnaye's TV serial drama presents urbanism and modernity in a completely negative light; on the other hand, it demonstrates the positive images and qualities in Indigenous culture and indigenous knowledge.Item Exploring the Aesthetics of Liturgical Performance in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church at 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.