The woman behind the cartoons

By Tsion Aklilu

Roman was born in Addis Ababa. She attended high school at Menilik Secondary school and is now a working mother of two. Roman graduated from Addis Ababa University School of Art in 1997 and started contributing cartoons to various newspapers ever since. She is currently with Capital. It gives us great pleasure to interview one of our own.
Enjoy the Excerpts...

How did you get in to the art?
I really do not know how or when I started but I remember as a kid, our neighbor used to bring magazines (Comic books) from her work place and I used to copy the pictures. I was also known for my poetry.

Who else in your family is involved in art?
It is just me. But come to think of it, I have an aunt whom I believe has the talent. My mother and my uncle did not however encourage me to pursue art.

Did you join the Art School immediately after high school?
No, I actually joined Art school before completing high school. They used to accept students from the tenth grade at the time. I later completed high school in the extension program.

How did you become interested in cartoons? Does the Art School give any cartoon classes?
As I said, the magazines our neighbor use to bring me have influenced my perspective towards cartoons. There is no such thing called cartoon art. I started contributing my work to newspapers when I was in 2nd year. Honestly speaking, the launching of many newspapers back then has contributed a lot to the progress of my work.

Did what you learn from the school help you in your cartoon drawings?
It has nothing to do with it .It is all a natural talent - a gift of God.
Although you are more known for your cartoon works, what one do you prefer most - cartoon or painting?
I would say cartoons. But I don't want to get lost in my passion for cartoons, so I try to do some paintings too at home. I am in fact expecting to hold an exhibition in June this year.

Do you promote yourself? If so, how do you do it?
My work promotes me. Whoever has interest in my cartoons and wants to work with me generally gets in touch with me.
I have worked with IOM, OXFAM and Save the Children for a short term. It could be for advertisement or pamphlets. For instance, the popular cartoon by far is what I did with IOM… a man trying to devour a young girl (student) that wants to go abroad. Many people have seen this poster but they have no idea who has done it.
I try to get the aim and agenda raised by the organizations. That is how I work.

What kind of cartoons entertain or interest you most?
I am now a mother and motherhood has changed me, I must say. So anything related to children grips my attention. I’m working on a cartoon story book for kids currently. I want to prepare my own story book with characters.

Can we call it a comic book?
Yes, it is sort of like a comic book. When I was a child I used to hung around with old ladies listening to tales.

Do you have a role model?
No, unfortunately I don’t.

In your opinion should cartoons be provocative or funny?
Cartoons can be both funny and tragic. What is important is to present the reality with a bit of humor.

How did you participate in your last cartoon exhibition?
I’ve worked with Initiative Africa (IA) on many of their projects including awareness activities during the last elections, so I was invited to this latest cartoon exhibition on the theme of Just and Sustainable Future in the context of migration and globalization. So on this occasion four cartoonist including myself were each asked to present ten cartoons. The show held at the Italian Cultural Institute from January 8th to 12th was a success. However, I don’t feel we covered the issue in depth as the concept of globalization and migration is very vast.

Which cartoon do you like most?
You are asking me to compare a mother’s love to her baby son over her baby girl. For me all of my cartoons are special. But there is this one carton that traumatized me. It was about UNMEE and there is this character I adore and unfortunately he (the cartoon) resembled the UNMEE general at the time. I had never seen him, it was accidental. The General called the editor and the editor called me. I tried to convince my editor that it was all coincidental.

What do you think of other cartoonists?
There are those who are devoted to the art and others who do it as a source of income. With the cartoons we should express the reality to bring societal change but some I feel are not doing so. I can say there are almost no women in the field. I only know two from Addis Zemen newspaper and Kumneger magazine.

Have you ever been arrested?
Never! The cartoon may anger people whom it concerns for the moment but after a while they may see the funny side or just forget it.

How do you explain politics in your cartoons?
I try to be in touch with current events. I did lots of cartoons during the election and now on the Ethio-Somali issue. When the issue of the day recedes I turn back to every day life. I draw by being objective and balanced like a journalist.

Tell us about your books in brief?
I'm preparing three different books, two for kids and one is a comedy book (short stories). The first one is titled ‘Akue Akaku’, it is a story of a foolish wife and husband and the second is 'Kule' about a nice cow. The last is not named yet.

What do the titles mean?
‘Akue, Akaku’ is Oromifa and means grand mother and grand father. I heard it from a little kid andloved it, 'Kule' is a cow’s name. Mostly cows are named based on their physical and emotional characteristics. ' Kule ' means pure of eye.

How is motherhood?
To be a working mom is difficult. You start to live for your kid. I consider myself as a loving and generous mother. I do not believe in physical punishment, I want to do everything with my kids that I had not had the chance to do as a toddler.

Stand up comedy is here

By Tsion Aklilu

“A day without laughter is a day lost”. Could this be our chance to laugh annually?
The first of its kind stand up comedy is to be held on January 24, 2007 at the Hilton Hotel. The event is organized by Ethio-Promotion and Entertainment. Eleven comedians have come together to entertain an anticipated seven hundred people.
At a press conference held Thursday, Ato Eyob Alemayehu, manager and owner of Ethio-Promotion and Entertainment says, “previously comedians used to perform as intermissions during music concerts, now this is their stage to be lead actors. And the aim is to give the opportunity for those who don’t have it.” The comedians’ representatives Fassil Tekalign and Ato Solomon believe the comedians will shine on their special night. It is going to be their stage although well known musicians will share the stage but only to give the comedians a break this time. “We have humor; we all laugh in our day to day activities. We did not get a chance to laugh about it publicly and here is our chance,” says Eyob.
Stand up comedy is a popular western art form. The comedians deliver their jokes to the audience live. If stand up comedy gets acceptance from the public the organizer is planning to make it a regular event. There might be even a chance to produce the live performance on CD.
The comedians are united to work together with the assistance of comedian Fassil. “The criteria in selecting a comedian is that they be funny and make a point at same time,” says Fassil. He also extends his gratitude to all who made the event possible.
The comedians are expected to perform their gigs without any rehearsals.

Woman in jazz

By Mina Yerga

Most people would say Ethiopian music has come a long way in the last few years. This can be considered as fact when considering the crop of young and youngish talent that is emerging. Among the frontrunners setting the pace in modern Ethiopian music is Tsedeniya Gebremarkos, an inspirational singer with a style that is unique among her peers. She is Ethiopia’s soon to be “jazz-lady”.
Tsedeniya has gained wide acceptance as an alternative singer who is at ease doing international collaborations. She has recently featured with the Nadav Haber Quartet from Israel, a group that plays Ethiopic jazz fusion. The Quartet and Tsedeniya gave a riveting performance at the Italian Cultural Institute last Saturday. Mina Yirga spent some moments with this charismatic artist.
Enjoy the excerpts...

How long have you been in the music world?
For almost a decade.

Most agree that you have talent and certain style. What’s holding you back from making more albums?
Nothing is holding me back. In fact, I am preparing my third album which is going to be released before the new millennium. It has been two years since my first album so I don’t think I have waited too long. Releasing albums in our country is difficult. A lot of singers appear in a year and control the market but most of them don’t last long. I felt I should pause till this confusion passes. The market in the music industry is stuttering and there are lots of things that you need to take into account, such as copy right protection. You also need to consider the public since it’s difficult to afford several albums a year. I believe two years is not long. Plus, releasing even a single album is a slow process here.

Your style is more international than Ethiopian. Have you thought of abandoning Ethiopian music? Do you think you can be successful if you sing purely in English?
I don’t like to sing purely foreign music but in terms of style of music, I prefer to play more African or jazz type of music. I don’t want to stick to Amharic song because I believe there are other Ethiopian singers that can do it better than I can. You can only work on something that you are good at, something that fits your style.
These days I am attracted more to jazz, especially African jazz. Of course the lyrics are going to be in Amharic but I believe in developing Ethiopian music up to international level so we have to start such fusion. Traditional arrangements and ways of singing are not for me. So I don’t want to mess it up. I want to make my new album different from the last one and include live instruments. The value of the musician is getting lost these days because there are very few arrangers here and I really want to break that. African music and jazz aren’t well known here and I believe Ethiopian music is suitable for such experimental work. That’s what I wish to do.

So your audience are going to be foreigners?
Jazz, African music and classic music have started to attract music lovers here and I want to try that. Most people are interested in such kinds of fusion. On a tour with Girma Yeferashewa we performed classical music, and after that a lot of people asked me to do it again. If there is such interest then, why not try a new thing.

Do you write your own lyrics?
No I don’t, I have not tried my hand but I do get involved in the rhythm. In my new album, four or five of the songs will have my own rhythms. I contribute in terms of ideas to good writers who produce the lyrics for my songs. I believe the new album is going to be profound.

How did you find playing with the Nadav Haber Quartet? Have you ever gone abroad to share such a musical experience?
Playing with the Nadav Haber Quartet was excellent and groovy!! My other experience is with Cape Verdian musicians. At the concert organized by UNICEF called ‘Speak Africa’ at African Garden two months ago. Various musicians were invited from South Africa and Madagascar and Burundi and I was among those representing Ethiopia.

The ‘Tizita’ you played with Nadav Haber Quartet is different . Where did you get it?
Artist Sirak Tadesse wrote it. It’s not completely original as it has some verses from the old ‘Tizita’ but he has added his version. ‘Tizita’ and ‘Bati’ are traditional skills we hear in Ethiopian music. Just as an experiment, I want to include Bati in my new album.

When did you start to be interested in jazz? Were you influenced after you began to sing at Coffee House?
No I wasn’t playing jazz at the Coffee House. On the first Wednesday of the month I play jazz at the Gas light and I loved it so I got in to it more and more.

Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
Our traditional clothing is adorable. I love it. It is colorful and delicate. You can make tons of designs out it. As a style, I like to appear in my own designs. When you wear traditional clothes you feel like it is yours, especially whenever I perform jazz music the first thing that comes to my mind is wearing traditional clothes. Everybody likes it because it looks good.

Tell us about yourself?
I am 31, the 3rd daughter for my father and the last one for my mom. I got married a year ago to Eskinder Baheta. I like to exercise every morning I think I am addicted to working out. I watch movies, play with my dogs…
Do you think hip-hop has

affected Ethiopian music?
Definitely! Not only hip-hop but also reggae and other forms. Somewhere, somehow, a new thing must begin. Most of our music has become reggae and raga type. It’s like a transitional period for Ethiopian music. It’s good to try new things and everyone has to follow their own interest.

What’s your favorite music and musician?
I have a lot of favorites I like jazz, fusion, old music and jazz flavored with funky stuff. I like James Brown. The guy was kicking in old age, many have not done that. But I cannot stick to one person I like many things and I pick pieces from each musician. Whenever I think of my journey in the music field, it’s the sum total influence of many people that has brought me here.

A novel film

By Tsion Aklilu

To adapt the most popular, top selling or favorite books of directors on to the screen is not a new phenomenon for Hollywood. For us it is not only new, it is also a big discussion issue. Although Ethiopian cinematography’s boom is a very recent occurrence, a second film based on a novel is being launched. On January 14, 2007, Kalkidan was screened officially. The nine times reprinted book was popular on national radio’s novel narration.
Rita and Shimeles Production has transformed the book to the screen in collaboration with the author. The book is about how different classes associate and pay sacrifice to love. It is purely Ethiopian. “Mostly we try to ignore the reality we are in especially in making films”, says the artist. After discussing the idea with his wife and the author, they agreed to rewrite the book into a film script. It took almost eight months to finalize the script and two years to complete production. The script is by Nebiyu Tekalign.
We all know him for his acting, this time he is proving he can be a director too. From cast selection to directing, Shimeles Abera managed the performance of the actors and camera. The film cost eight thousand seven hundred birr. The difficult moment for Shimelese was the lead character’s selection. “I have tried all my options but I prefer my wife to be the lead as Tsehay. It was challenging,” says Shimeles. We all expect to see the other main character Digafeneh to be skinny and filthy. Nevertheless, what the director does in the film is different; he presented a pitiable person with a good physical appearance. It was done on purpose. Shimeles, explains, “why do we ignore the fact Digafeneh (the character) is the only child of his parents.
They brought him up by providing him the necessities he needed. There is no way he would be filthy.”
About four hundred and eighty people participated in the film. According to the director, what differentiates the film to others are the realties of the scenes. The car crash and the wedding ceremony are some of the realistic scenes.
People are interested to watch their favorite book on screen but the time duration holds them back. ‘Kalkidan’ has faced this constraint too. The first time it was shown, it took two hours and fifty minuets. After it is edited, it will be of only two hours duration.