Amharic Literature 3600-3-AF3-WLA
Introduction to Ethiopian literature: a short characteristics of the literature in classical Ethiopic, works in Old-Amharic as well as systematic presentation of the Amharic literature beginning from the oral tradition folk songs, tales and proverbs to the written forms such as royal chronicles, typical Ethiopian poetry genres based on 'seminna werk' – wax and gold rhetoric, contemporary poetry, novel and drama.
The course describes the socio-political environment in which Ethiopian literature developed and introduces the main animators of Ethiopian literary scene. Special emphasis will be given to drawing the students’ attention the culture specific features of Amharic literature.
• Introduction to Ethiopian literature: a short characteristics of the literature in Giiz beginning from the epigraphic period through the religious works from the Axumite period including hagiography and early historiography to the poetry 'k'ine'.
• Kibre Negest ‘The Glory of the Kings’ in Amharic and Polish translation and its role in the history of Ethiopia.
• First works in Old-Amharic ‘Royal Songs’ and their main features.
• Royal chronicles, for the first time in Amharic, of the emperor Tewodros II (1855-68), and also Menelik II (1889-1913) and Haile Sellase I (1930-1974).
• Amharic oral tradition folk songs and tales
• Hiruy Welde Sillasie - master of poetry 'k'ine' and 'git'im'. The typical to Ethiopian poetry style of 'seminna werk' – wax and gold – will be characterized here.
• New literary styles introduced in Ethiopia: novel (Afewerk' Gebre Yesus 'Tobya'), drama (Tekle Hawaryat Tekle Maryam 'Fabula'), short story (Taddese Liben 'Meskerem').
• Animators of the Ethiopian literary scene:
Birhanu Zerīhun, Mengistu Gedamu, Beka Nemo, Taddese Līben, Haddīs Alemayyehu, Mengistu Lemma, Negash Gebre Maryam, Ts'egayye Gebre Medhin, Bealu Girma, Danyachchew Werk'u, Alemayyehu Moges, P'awlos Nyonyo and their main works.
• The novel Fik'ir iske mek'abir by Haddis Alemayyehu as the most important national epic.
• Contemporary literature: autobiographical novel by Sibhat Gebre Igziabher Tikusat, ethnographical novel by Fikremarkos Desta, Kebuska beste jerba, detective story by Serg Da. Konjowochchu.
• New literary examples from the Diaspora: the Internet literary magazines.
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
Student is an expert in Ethiopian literature conscious of its value and place in world’s literary heritage.
After completing the course students will acquire the ability to:
• discuss the main currents in Amharic literature and their ties with the history of Ethiopia,
• specify the main literary genres and styles in Ethiopian literature,
• critically analyze major literary works in Amharic
• evaluate the literary scene in Ethiopia and its place in African and world literature.
Bibliography
Gérard, A. 1971. “Amharic Literature”, w: Four African Literatures. Xhosa. Sotho. Zulu. Amharic, Berkeley-Los Angeles-London: University of California Press, s. 271-417.
Getie Gelaye. 2001. Amharic Oral Poems of the Peasantry in East Gojjam. Text, Classification, Translation and Commentary Hamburg.
Kane, T. L. 1975. Ethiopian Literature in Amharic Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz.
Mantel-Niećko, J. „Amharic Literature”, w: Andrzejewski B.W., S.Piłaszewicz, W. Tyloch (wyd.). 1985. Literatures in African Languages. Theoretical Issues and Sample Surveys, Warszawa: Wiedza Powszechna, s. 301-336.
Molvaer, R. K. 1997. Black Lions. The Creative Lives of Modern Ethiopia’s Literary Giants and Pioneers, Asmara: The Red Sea Press.
Molvaer, R. K. 1980. Tradition and Change in Ethiopia. Social and Cultural Life as Reflected in Amharic Fictional Literature ca. 1930- 1974, Leiden: E. J. Brill.
Additional information
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