Symbolic Representations of Ethiopia's Past in Addis Ababa: the Politics of Naming Public Spaces and Epistemic Violence Against Cultural Groups
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Date
2022-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
focus of this study is to assess symbolic representations of Ethiopia's past in Addis Ababa
with a particular focus on the politics surrounding the naming of public spaces and the inherent
epistemic violence in that process. The main objective of this study is to describe and explore the
politics of collective memory and associated epistemic violence in the planning and naming of
public spaces done intentionally and unintentionally in Addis Ababa and its implications for
peacebuilding. The study employed a qualitative research approach with a case study design.
Data was collected through primary and secondary data sources. Since four public spaces are
deliberately selected, key informant participants were also selected through a purposive and
snowball non-probability sampling technique from the higher officers of the studied public
spaces. Out of 15 key informants, 7 members were selected from different offices of the city
including the Mayor's office as a sample for interview. The study also used document analysis
instruments and besides online sources (e-sources), and media were used to conduct this study.
The study's findings show there were and there are problems throughout the construction of
public spaces by naming for the sake of memory. Though the narration was improved during the
EPRDF regime, the public spaces are not changed on the ground. Orthodox religion, male
gender, and from ethnicities by Amhara domination continue in the studied four public spaces.
Until this era, there was difficulty in achieving constant names for historical public spaces.
There are continuing changes in naming. According to the findings of the study, the naming of
public spaces on the ground has ethnic, religious, and gender biases. The collective memory of
some groups is silenced and some of their glory is considered collective amnesia. The findings of
this study shows also that the domination happens by quantity and quality of representations.
Finally, this study suggested inclusive memory in the capital city of Ethiopia and the seat of AU
for peace building.
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Keywords
Collective memory, Collective amnesia, Epistemic violence, Memory, Peace building