An Archetypal Analysis of Zeyera at Genete Pilgrimage Center
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
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.