The Theme Of Italian Occupition in Major Amharic Novels and Plays
No Thumbnail Available
Date
1990-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The Italian occupation of Ethiopia holds a
significant place in the history of the country. Beth
Ethiopian and foreign historians have written extensively
on the subject. The theme of Italian occupation has
also inspired Ethiopian novelists and playwrights.
Their novels and plays try to show the causes of the
war, the conduct of the war, its political, social,
economic and cultural effects, and the patriotic
resistance. Some of these literary works also deal
with the prevalent situation immediately after the
liberation of the country.
After identifying the major prenccupations of the
works dealing with the theme of Italian occupation this
study also attempts to show the differences in the
authors' interpretations of some of the issues and
events of the war. All the authors cite avenging the
defeat at the battle of Adowa as one of the causes of
the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. Ar'aya underlines
Italian economic interest as the major reason for the
aggression; Endgwgtt§c~ g&rr§~6 gives Italy's colenial
ambition as the main reason. Sgr§-Koloniyalist mentie~s
the Fascist Party's policy as an immediate cause of the
war. In the treatment of the conduct of the war the
majority of the works concentrate on the battle of
May(;gw. Bassa Qetaw and Ar'aya portray the conduct
of the war at the battle of Sire, Tembien and Amba'radem
Description
Keywords
Major Amharic Novels and Plays