The politics of ethnicity, unity and the historic past in yäburqa zïmïta, dertogada and ramatohara: from new historical and CDA perspectives

Abstract

This article examines the politics of ethnicity, unity, and the historic past in three Amharic novels: Yäburqa Zïmïta (2000) by Tesfaye Gebreab, and Dertogada (2009) and Ramatohara (2010) by Yismaeke Worku. The objective is to analyze and interpret the differences in how these novels represent these themes. The analysis is conducted through the perspectives of New Historicism and Critical Discourse Analysis, as both approaches consider the political, historical, and cultural contexts in which the literary texts are produced and consumed, as well as the interconnectedness of systems. The findings of the analysis reveal that these contemporary Amharic novels reflect the prominent political issues of ethnicity, unity, and the historic past. However, their representations of these themes are not uniform. In Yäburqa Zïmïta (2000), the question of nationality is addressed after acknowledging the rights of ethnic groups to self-determination. In contrast, the other two novels advocate for unity through development. Additionally, the latter two novels valorize Emperor Tewodros and Emperor Menelik II as symbols of the country, while the former condemns Emperor Menelik II as a colonizer of the Oromo people. These differences in representation indicate that the novels reflect the diverse political ideas and perspectives of the time. Furthermore, as the novels are influenced by the prevailing political ideologies, they also have the potential to shape contemporary politics. Ultimately, the examination of these selected books confirms the reciprocal relationship between politics and literature in the relevant society. In addition to providing enjoyment, the novels serve as platforms for social and political dialogue.