ETHIOPIA: ART AND LITERATURE

Prehistorically, rock art was the most common form of art, and it was similar in fashion to other specimens from other regions in this part of the world.  After Christianity was adopted, much of the artwork was religious-themed.  Iconography was common, characterizing the figures with their bright colors and almond-shaped eyes.  Diptychs (panel paintings with two panels) and triptychs (panel paintings with three panels) were also common.  The churches and cathedrals themselves were fully painted in the European tradition.  There were some minor differences; for example, angels were often depicted as being heads with wings. 

Crosses were very important as well.  Many of these are highly elaborate and ornate.  These crosses were mostly constructed from brass and plated with either gold or silver.  Crosses used in processions could be quite large in size and quite heavy.  Smaller crosses used as jewelry were also made and worn.  Other metalwork, such as crowns, was made for both royalty and high clergy members. 

Textile art was also commonly produced in Ethiopia.  A type of lightweight, opaque pattern-less cloth similar to chiffon was used to drape onto religious icons.  Generally, traditional cloth designs have geometric patterns to them (although many are plain) and tend to be quite colorful. 

Basket making is quite common, especially in the rural areas of Ethiopia.  Depending on its use, whether for storing food, doubling as tables, or being used as bowls, baskets can range from small to quite large. Designs are woven into the baskets as well.   

Early Ethiopian literature was written in the Ge’ez language. The Bible and other religious writings dominated the early literature canon. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church still uses the Ge’ez language as the language of religious literature.  The Ethiopian Jewish community (also known as Beta Israel) still uses the Ge’ez language today as well. The Garima Gospels are the oldest Ge’ez scripts, found in Eritrea and thought to date somewhere between 390-660.

By the time the 14^th century came, the language of literature was starting to shift towards using Amharic, Tigrinya, and Tigre, depending on the location. Histories, hagiographies, and letters have been found that have been dated during these early years through the 16^th century. Works such as “Book of Axum” and “Book of Enoch” are two famous works written in Ge’ez.

Book of Enoch

Literature written in Amharic covers more works in the most recent centuries. Although it also includes religious materials, it also includes educational materials, government records, novels, poetry, and basically anything that is read today.  Because of their multi-lingual society, the government declared the Amharic as the official working language of the federal government.  It’s also the language of primary education.  Other regional languages may be used locally and for unofficial business.

Dinaw Mengestu

A few notable authors from Ethiopia include Afevork Ghevre Jesus (wrote the first novel in Amharic), Dinaw Mengestu (novelist, journalist, has written for many magazines and newspapers about current events in Africa), Haddis Alemayehu (Foreign Minister, novelist, his works are considered classics), Haile Gerima (filmmaker, member of LA Rebellion film movement [also called Los Angeles School of Black Filmmakers]) Hama Tuma (writer, poet), Mammo Wudneh (playwright, journalist, peacemaker between Ethiopia and Eritrea), Nega Mezlekia (writer currently living in Canada, works are written in English), and Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin (art director, playwright, essayist, poet, Poet Laureate of Ethiopia).

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ERITREA: ART AND LITERATURE

Eritrea is a multi-ethnic country, and their cultural arts reflect the nuances between these groups.  Art is not merely for art’s sake but for everyday use.  Leather goods like jackets and shoes are commonly produced, as well as gold and silver works.  Practical-use items such as ropes, clay coffeepots, and baskets are made and used by locals.

Because coffee is such an important drink to Eritrean culture, coffee pots are vital to their cuisine.  Most of the pottery made here is fired using basic kilns.  (I looked into buying a kiln once. A cheap one costs as much as a used car.)   These clay coffee pots have a large bowl at the bottom with a long slender neck and a handle on it.

Gold and silver mines are part of Eritrea’s economic growth, and this gold is not only poured into ingots and based as currency, but a portion is also made into earrings, necklaces, rings, gold crosses, and other ornamentation. 

Basketwork is slightly different than some other areas in the world, whereas baskets do not only carry food and store food, but they also have baskets that are also used in preparing and serving the food as well.  Available in all sizes, colors, and designs, these baskets are practical and beautiful. 

Eritrean literature is primarily written in the Tigrinya language.  Early literature used the Ge’ez language, but later changed over to Tigrinya. The languages are very similar; in fact, the Tigrinya language utilizes the Ge’ez alphabet and a lot of its words.  Most of the types of literature included historical accounts, stories about the royal families (even the ancient Eritreans couldn’t escape it apparently), and religious poetry. 

Example of written Tigrinya language

The first actual published work in Tigrinya was a translation of the Gospels published during the mid-19^th century after the Europeans arrived. While the Europeans may or may not have been exactly welcomed with open arms, they were instrumental with establishing and promoting local written works, including the first Tigrinya-language newspaper in 1909.  During the years of being run by the Italians under fascist rule, Eritrean literature practically was non-existent.  However, when the British kicked them out and took it over for themselves, literature was published once again: mostly poetry, fables, and folktales. 

It wasn’t until almost 1950 before the first novel written in Tigrinya was published: a book called A Story of a Conscript by Ghebreyesus Hailu, about a group of Eritreans who were required to fight for the Italians in Libya.  From this point forward, literature began to be written and published en masse in Eritrea. 

The man often attributed as the “father of Tigrinya literature” is Feseha Giyorgis.  An Ethiopian, he left his home country for Italy, where he wrote a pamphlet on his journey there and continued on to teach the Tigrinya language while he was living there. 

Another substantial poet worth mentioning is Carlo Conti Rossini.  His pièce de résistance is his three-part poetry called Tigrinya Popular Songs.  The first part contains 73 love songs; the second part is lover’s complaints; and the final section is a collection of long poems for special occasions, praise for tribal leaders, funeral poetry and praise for the deceased, and mourning songs.  Altogether, it was published over the course of four years and also includes notes and commentary written in Italian. 

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