The American Friends of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies (AFIES-West) present a discussion of Amharic oral poetry traditions by Dr. Getie Gelaye.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Alitash Kebede Gallery
170 South La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Dr. Getie Gelaye is a professor in the Department of African and Ethiopian Studies, Asia-Africa-Institute, at Hamburg University
From AFIES-West members:
We are truly honored to have a scholar of Dr. Gelaye’s stature sharing with us his research on the significance of Amharic oral poetry traditions among the rural peoples of Ethiopia. For over 15 years, Dr. Gelaye has been collecting, translating, and analyzing these important oral documents of events in Ethiopia’s history, including resistance to the Italian occupation of 1936–41. In addition to sound recordings of local performances, Dr. Gelaye has interviewed the singers and poets who preserve Ethiopian heritage in their praise and historical poems.
Dr. Gelaye received his BA in Ethiopian Languages and Literature and his MA in Social Anthropology from Addis Ababa University. His PhD is from Hamburg University where he currently teaches. Dr. Gelaye has studied all over the world, with visiting fellowships in Rome, London, and Paris and has done anthropological fieldwork among the rural Gojjam in northwestern Ethiopia.
About AFIES-West:
American Friends of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies-West Coast Chapter (AFIES-West) addresses the challenges of safeguarding Ethiopia's historical and cultural heritage.
About The Alitash Kebede Gallery:
The Alitash Kebede Gallery presents exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and offers a selection of 20th century masterworks for sale. The gallery specializes in the work of artists from the African Diaspora and devotes a section to photographic works.
Cost : Free and open to the public; donations suggested and appreciated.
Alitash Kebede Gallery323-549-0003
www.alitashkgallery.com
Sponsor(s): The American Friends of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies (AFIES-West). Information about non-ASC events is forwarded for informational purposes and does not necessarily reflect opinions of or endorsements by African Studies personnel.