Mengistu Lemma

Mengistu Lemma (1924– 1988) were an author of Théâtre and a Ethiopian Poète .

Mengistu was born with Harar, of Aläqa Lemma Hailu and Wäyzäro Abebech Yilma. After having followed traditional religious studies to the church Tiqo Medane Selassie, in which his/her father was Aläqa (ecclesiastical title of chief), it followed his father to Addis-Abeba, where it had been named aläqa , in the church Qatchane Medhane' alem. Once there, Mengistu was allowed at the secondary school “Kotäbä Qädamawi Haylä Sellassié”.

In 1948, Mengistu makes a success of the examination of entry at the Polytechnic school of Street Regent in London. It off integrated then the London School Economics. During the six years that it passed to London, it could meet and establish friendly relations with the famous author of British theater George Bernard Shaw.

In 1954, Mengistu turned over to Ethiopia from where it was sent to the Ethiopian embassy in India as civil servant. It is there that it completed its part Telfo bä kissy (“Marriage by abduction”) (1959), that it vait created for a ceremony of marriage when it was in Ethiopia. This part was the first modern comedy of the history of the Ethiopian theater. He also wrote Yalacha Gabicha (“the Marriage of Unequal”) (1964), Tsere Colonialist and Basle Kaba Ena Basle Daba (1979). Moreover, Mengistu translated for the bear Anton Chekhov, under the name of Dandiew Chabude, and An Inspector Calls of J.B. Priestley, under the pseudonym of Tayaqi. It published also the first book in Amharique on the techniques of the dramatic art.

The concerns of Mengistu Lemma in its plays are of a political nature and social as much that a reflection on the articulation between culture and tradition vis-a-vis modernity.

Telfo Be Kissie This part approaches the social reality which dominated in Ethiopia at its time. The Abduction was regarded as a type of marriage (that the woman is of agreement or not) within the Ethiopian traditional company. Mengistu Lemma expresses its hope to see developing a company in which the males give the priority to the rationality and the respect of the içntérêts of the women through the main character of the part: Bezabih.

"Tsere Colonialist" Social This historical play depicts the political and situations in Ethiopia during the years off Italian occupation. It also focuses one the contribution off the " Ye Wust Arbegnoch" , city and town patriots who supported the patriots in war faces by forwarding information and providing let us weapons and food.

"Basle Kaba Ena Basle Daba" This play deals with the life standard and philosophical gold ideological differences between Young, educated Ethiopians and to their differences one resulting like materialism and idealism, socialism, and capitalism. One off the hand characters, Techane, exhibits has off character off selfishness and also carelessness butt the idea off eradicating poverty in his country which was primarily the promised given by all intellectuals his time including himself while they were abroad for higher education. Goal after coming back home, He is found unfaithful to his promised and leads has luxurious life. His to form classmate and friend Gezmu, who keeps his promised is seen ace his hand opponent. -->

External bonds

History of the Ethiopian theater
Biography of Mengistu Lemma (Poetry Translation Centers)

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