The ancient is still fresh

By Tsion Aklilu

Wide eyed, round bodies and simple lines define Ethiopian traditional art. These works were valued in old times and currently survive only on Orthodox Church walls or holy books. Getachew Berhanu is one of the young artists of the time, who has engaged him self in traditional painting; bringing back the forgotten art to life. He honors the traditional art in the foot steps of his father.
It has been ten years since Getachew has been involved in traditional paintings. He has not attended any formal art education; but he was simply marked for life by the traditional art of his father Berhanu Yemenu.
Getachew has presented 32 of his traditional works this week at the Alliance Ethio-Francais. Though his works are also about social gatherings like market places, and rural scenes; most of his work focuses on religious legends. to a layman his works seem traditional and a reflection of old art. His friend Tesfaye Negusse, a veteran artist denies Getachew is a traditional painter, “He might use 12th century style, but his ideas are modern. He is a bridge between the old and the modern.”
For instance, he narrates the legendary story of the Queen of Sheba from the conception till she met King Solomon and gave birth to Minelik I. What makes his work more traditional is the flow of the stories he tells on his canvas. The story goes from scene to scene with the support of words which is common in traditional art. Despite this, Getachew considers himself as Ethiopic, not as a traditional artist.
For Getachew, art is his life and what his life is based on. He notes this earnestly, “I engaged took up art after my father passed away. My life was in danger, I needed to survive so I dove in to it but still, I was in love with art even then.” Getachew has participated in 26 group and solo exhibitions since 1991GC.
“Portrait on character painting does not fully articulate my idea. I want to involve different characters in my work so that they can be easily understood by viewers” says Getachew in explaining his paintings. Joining any art school was for him, like banning his right to paint without rules and regulations. He has never taken art classes except to watch his father paint.
His latest works will be exhibited until February 24th, 2007 at the Alliance.

Zero tolerance for FGM

By Mina Yirga

The meaning of FGM takes on different forms depending on the ethnic group. It ranges from partial to complete excision of the external genital, which is then stitched nearly closed in many cases. Quite a few cultural viewpoints consider FGM to be a mark of purity and are supposed to help restrain girls sexually and assure their virginity till marriage. The ritual is practiced usually before the age of 12. Often FGM is done by a community specialist using unsanitary equipment.
The Declaration on Zero Tolerance for FGM in the African Continent, since its adoption in February 2003, is an initiative which brings together all efforts by anti- FGM campaigners to celebrate, reflect and deliberate on FGM and to renew their commitment to protect African women from cultural and traditional belief systems that are harmful.
As part of commemorating the day and also to contribute to the global efforts to bring an end to the custom of FGM in the Afar Region, Rohi Weddu Pastoral Women Development Organization, in collaboration with its partners, organized activities to celebrate an Anti-FGM Week beginning from February, 2007.
Rohi Weddu has been able to feature a public rally in Gewane, Afar Region which has incorporated international organizations, religious institutions and civic society.
“Rohi Weddu Pastoral Women Development Organization is our member coaltion implementing organization in Afar region. 25 local and international organizations including the Ministry of Women’s Affairs have formed a collation marking 5 distinct internationally celebrated camping dates. The FGM program is a continuation of this marked activism. So we decided to commemorate the date at one of the regions where FGM is highly practiced. As part of our synchronizing program, we finance the organization with funds found from SIDA/NEWA support program so that they can work on FGM activities. Furthermore, in organizing the event we have provided Rohi Weddu with IFC materials.” Said W/o Saba Gebremedhin, Executive director NEWA
Speaking at the session, W/o Iisha Mohamed Seid, Women’s Affairs Head of Afar region stated that the 1995 constitution and the 1960 penal code provide a legal basis for prohibiting harmful traditional practices. Further more, Article 35, section 4 of the constitution states, “women have the right to protection by the state from harmful customs laws, customs and practices that oppress women or cause bodily or mental harm to them are prohibited.”
The practice in Gewane region often evoked religious duty inaccurately from what has been stated in the Holy Kuran and has been conducted for decades as part of tradition.
“Men’s circumcision in our region has a season. Men travel en-mass to the near by bush to get circumcised. It is called ‘Kelti’. The men wear a traditional cloth called ‘Samla’. To signify their fearlessness they tie a strip on their heads, Such practice is harmful since an unclean blade is used to conduct the circumcision and so paves the way for STDs. This has been our ritual for so long. But the case was worse for girls in our region. Undergoing excision is referred to as ‘Slaato’ in our native language. Personally, I don’t support such harmful practices. And I believe our community has brought about an ultimate attitudinal change.” Says Abdulkader Welnu.
By having public discussions about such practices, the community has reached consensus on the harm being inflicted on their daughters and ultimately has made a collective decision to abandon the practice.
“Nenu Kaadu sayyosalootca baabamal iita geyhen( we have decided to abandon such practices)” says W/o Seada Mohamed Fura Women’s Affairs Head for Gewane Kebele “Countless numbers of our children have died due to such harmful practice. We have seen our children bleeding and suffering painful sexual relations. Let bygones be bygones. We want the future to be different for our new generation.”
“Activities against eliminating FGM started in our region almost five years ago. We believe our efforts have been successful in abolishing the practice once and for all from our region.” says Omar Dulula, Youth Affairs Head in the Gewanae Kebele.
Gewane district has 9 kebeles. Each Kebele has its own Health Center and Primary school. Girl’s participation in the region is highly encouraged. Furthermore, the region has stood firm with the women’s passing six resolutions on FGM, as any parent who is caught conducting FGM is punished and made to pay cattle in accordance with the cultural law. In addition to this, the parent will be secluded from any governmental facilities and religious rites. It also stresses that the performing community specialist will be liable for her act.
Such insightful community participation can be a good example for other regions where FGM is still prevalent.

BBC World Service Trust produce radio drama

An 18 part radio drama focusing on rural livelihoods premiered at Finfine Hall in Addis Ababa Ethiopia Thursday, February 08, 2007.
The drama was produced by BBC World Service Trust partnership with Amhara Mass Media Agency and Bemnabu Promotion PLC.
The first part of the drama will be on air at 7:15 pm on Saturday 17, February 2007 on Amhara Radio in Bahir Dar.
Drama Trainer on BBC World Service Trust, Fiora Ledger disclosed news of the exciting new radio drama which tries to depict the problems and pressure of living in a rural village in Amhara Region.
The drama is entitled ‘Filega’ and deals with development issues such as sexual and reproductive health, gender relations, deforestation, water, sanitation, soil erosion and good governance.
She stressed that ‘Filega’is the very first drama in Ethiopia to be recorded in a natural rural setting, using natural sound effect. All the scenes were improvised based on story lines written by writer and director Bemnabu Kebede. He said, I wanted to create a drama where every character is on a quest for personal and material improvement.
‘Filega’ is entertaining, funny and tragic and yet is hugely informative. Parts of the drama were presented by the actors on stage.
.A shortened stage version of ‘Filega’ will be performed as a play-reading at the Soho Theater in London on April 18 as part of a season of plays showcasting new writing, presented by Leading African Theatre Company, Tiata Fahodzi.