A Thematic Analysis of Funeral Dirges in West Gojjam
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main objective of this study is to analyze the themes of the funeral dirges in
West Gojjam Administrative Zone. To achieve this objective, the researcher has
tried to collect as many funeral dirges as possible. All of these dirges are in
Amharic language. The collection was carried out by using different methods.
Then, the funeral dirges collected through audiotape were transcribed on paper.
This is foliowed by the classification of dirges based on subject matter. After this,
some sixty one dirges were selected and translated into English for the sake of
the analysis.
This study has five chapters . The fi rst chapter includes introduction, statement of
the problem, objectives of the study, significance of the study, scope of the study,
limitation of the study and, methods and procedures. The second chapter
describes the social setting of West Gojjam. The third chapter explains concepts
like folklore, oral lite rature, orai poetry, funeral dirge, and provides a review of
related studies and the theoretical framework. The fourth chap ter deals with the
analysis of funeral dirges. The last chapter is the conclusion of the study.
In this study, the funeral dirges are categorized under five major subject matters.
These are thoughts about the deceased, death, God, socio-political issues, and
other reactions to bereavement. Under each category, different themes are
identified and discussed. To begin with thoughts about the deceased, it is
possible to find praise, which is the most common theme in dirges. The sorrowful
manner of death and the decisive role of the deceased in the life of the bereaved
are also the themes conveyed through dirges. In the second category, the
inevitability of death, the unpredictability of death and the existence of life after
death are identified as themes. Thirdly, funeral dirges that express the
mercilessness God and those that challenge his righteousness are discussed. In
the fourth category, fun eral dirges which reveal criticism of the manners of the
society, the value of homeland, protest against a government and the horror of
war are explained. Finally, funeral dirges that show the feelings of loss,
helplessness, regret, compassion, and the painfulness of grief are dealt.
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Funeral Dirges in West Gojjam