Mengistu Lemma
Encyclopedia
Mengistu Lemma was an Ethiopia
n playwright
and poet
.
Mengistu was born in Harar
, to Aleqa Lemma Hailu and Wro Abebech Yilma. After undertaking traditional religious studies at the Tiqo Mekane Selassie church where his father was Aleqa
(a title given to church leaders), he moved to the capital Addis Ababa
due to the transfer of his father to the Qatchane Medhane'alem Church. There he was admitted to Kotebe Qedamawi Haile Selassie school.
In 1948, Mengistu studied in London at the Regent Street Polytechnic
before attendending the London School of Economics
. In the six years he spent in London, he was able to meet and then establish friendship with the famous British playwright George Bernard Shaw
.
In 1954, Mengistu returned to Ethiopia and then was sent to the embassy of Ethiopia to India
as an official. There he completed his play "Telfo Be Kissie" ("Marriage by Abduction") (1959), which he had created for a marriage ceremony while he was in Ethiopia. This play was the first modern comedy play in the history of Ethiopian theatre. He also wrote "Yalacha Gabicha" ("Marriage of Unequals") (1964), "Tsere Colonialist" and "Bale Kaba Ena Bale Daba" (1979). In addition Mengistu translated Anton Chekhov
's "The Bear" as "Dandiew Chabude" and J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" as "Tayaqi". He also published the first Amharic book on dramatic techniques.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
.
Mengistu was born in Harar
Harar
Harar is an eastern city in Ethiopia, and the capital of the modern Harari ethno-political division of Ethiopia...
, to Aleqa Lemma Hailu and Wro Abebech Yilma. After undertaking traditional religious studies at the Tiqo Mekane Selassie church where his father was Aleqa
Aleqa
The title Aleqa is used in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It is used as the title of a chief priest, the head of a monastery, as well as being an honorific for a highly educated member of the church, especially in the case of dabtaras.-Sources:* by Zelealem Tefera Ashenafi and N...
(a title given to church leaders), he moved to the capital Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
due to the transfer of his father to the Qatchane Medhane'alem Church. There he was admitted to Kotebe Qedamawi Haile Selassie school.
In 1948, Mengistu studied in London at the Regent Street Polytechnic
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
before attendending the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
. In the six years he spent in London, he was able to meet and then establish friendship with the famous British playwright George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright and a co-founder of the London School of Economics. Although his first profitable writing was music and literary criticism, in which capacity he wrote many highly articulate pieces of journalism, his main talent was for drama, and he wrote more than 60...
.
In 1954, Mengistu returned to Ethiopia and then was sent to the embassy of Ethiopia to India
as an official. There he completed his play "Telfo Be Kissie" ("Marriage by Abduction") (1959), which he had created for a marriage ceremony while he was in Ethiopia. This play was the first modern comedy play in the history of Ethiopian theatre. He also wrote "Yalacha Gabicha" ("Marriage of Unequals") (1964), "Tsere Colonialist" and "Bale Kaba Ena Bale Daba" (1979). In addition Mengistu translated Anton Chekhov
Anton Chekhov
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian physician, dramatist and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics...
's "The Bear" as "Dandiew Chabude" and J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" as "Tayaqi". He also published the first Amharic book on dramatic techniques.
Writings
Different social and political, as well as traditional and cultural issues dominate the plays of Mengistu Lemma:- "Telfo Be Kissie" This play deals with the social reality which was dominant in Ethiopia during that time, i.e. abduction. Abduction was considered as a way of marriage (whether the woman agreed or disagreed) in the traditional societies of Ethiopia. Mengistu Lemma expressed his hope of developing a society of males who give priority to rationality and respect the interest of women by the evidence of his main character Bezabih.
- "Yalacha Gabicha" This play deals with the idea of marriage between two persons, Bahiru who represents the higher class of society and Belete who represents the lowest class. It was also a social reality in the traditional Ethiopian society to divide people by the procedure of blood lines and to not accept a marriage between members of different classes. But Bahiru, who was from the higher class of the society and at the same time who was educated, broke this tradition by marrying Belete, who was only a servant in his house. This play also deals with social issues like witchcraft.
- "Tsere Colonialist" This historical play depicts the political and social situations in Ethiopia during the years of Italian occupation. It also focuses on the contribution of the "Ye Wust Arbegnoch", city and town patriots who supported the patriots in war fronts by forwarding information and providing weapons and food.
- "Bale Kaba Ena Bale Daba" This play deals with the life standards and philosophical or ideological differences between young, educated Ethiopians and their differences on issues like materialism and idealism, socialism, and capitalism. One of the main characters, Techane, exhibits a character of selfishness and also carelessness about the idea of eradicating poverty in his country which was primarily the promise given by all intellectuals of his time including himself while they were abroad for higher education. But after coming back home, he is found unfaithful to his promise and leads a luxurious life. His former classmate and friend Gezmu, who keeps his promise is seen as his main opponent.