Addis Ababa University School of Graduate Studies Thematic
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Addis Ababa University School of Graduate Studies Thematic Analysis of Selected Amharic Song Lyrics: A Sociological Approach By: Neguss Yilma Woldesenbet March 2018 I Thematic Analysis of Selected Amharic Song Lyrics: A Sociological Approach Neguss Yilma Woldesenbet Thesis Submitted to the Department of Foreign Languages And Literature in Fulfillment of the Requirement of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Literature Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa, Ethiopia II Addis Ababa University School of Graduate Studies This is to certify that the thesis prepared by Neguss Yilma Woldesenbet, entitled: “Thematic Analysis of Amharic Song Lyrics: A Sociological Approach” and submitted in the fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in Literature) complies with the regulations of the university and meets the accepted standards with respect to originality and quality. Board of Examiners Examiner____________________________ Signature _____________Date________________ Examiner____________________________ Signature ______________Date_______________ Advisor_____________________________ Signature ______________ Date_______________ ______________________________________________________________ Chair Person, Department of Foreign Languages and Literature III Declaration I declare that “Thematic Analysis of Selected Amharic Song Lyrics: A Sociological Approach” is the result of my own effort and has not been presented to any university in the same or different form to merit a PhD degree other than that for which I am now a candidate, and that all sources used for the thesis have been duly acknowledged. ___________________________ Neguss Yilma Woldesenbet March 2018 IV Abstract This study examines the themes of Amharic song lyrics composed during the three consecutive regimes: Emperor Haile Selassie I, the Derge and the EPRDF. It offers a critical reading of the governing ideologies’ roles in shaping the themes of the song lyrics, and the social functions of song lyrics at different historical periods. To this end, sixty (60) Amharic song lyrics composed by different lyricists have been selected through multistage sampling methods and analyzed. The three sociological perspectives: functionalism, conflict and symbolic interactionism have been adopted to conduct a qualitative analysis on the selected Amharic song lyrics. In addition, due attentions have been given to the governing ideology of the stated each period while analyzing the themes of the selected Amharic song lyrics. From this study, the following findings have been drawn. The major themes of Amharic song lyrics composed during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie I are patriotism, education, moral decadence (prostitution and corruption) and political discontents. The positive functions of education and patriotism to enhance the stability and continuity of the society are emphasized in the songs. Whereas, the song lyrics which deal with the themes of moral decadence and political discontents show how poverty and maladministration caused the people’s grievances and hopelessness. The inevitability of conflict between the oppressed mass and the ruling class due to the unfair distribution of wealth and political repressions is implied in these song lyrics. The Amharic song lyrics composed during the reign of the Derge are thematically categorized into revolutionary songs and non-revolutionary songs. Apart from echoing the motto of the order “Ethiopia First”, the themes of revolutionary songs hugely celebrate the achievements of the 1974 revolution. The revolutionists’ effort to fight the serious political repressions is much appreciated in these songs. On the other hand, these songs label the opposition parties (EPRP & MEISON), the secessionists (TPLF & EPLF) and the Somali aggressors as the enemy of the revolution. Though few in number, the non-revolutionary songs of the period uncover the political discontents of the time. V Political discontents and migration are given much emphasis in Amharic song lyrics composed during the reign of EPRDF. These songs exposed EPRDF’s failure to facilitate the country’s transition towards democracy. In addition, the songs depict the social defeat that the nation faces due to migration. The Amharic love songs collected from the stated three periods are thematically categorized into romantic love and maternal love. The functional roles of beauty, forgiveness, longing and idealization to blossom the intimates’ strong attachments as well as the threatening effects of betrayal and gossip on the lovers’ lives are depicted through the romantic love songs of Amharic. The unspeakable sacrifices that mothers make for the wellbeing of their children are shown in the songs that discuss maternal love. In general, in this study, it is identified that the themes of Amharic songs are dominantly topical, and they have significant contemporary relevance. Therefore, further investigations need to be conducted on the songs from different perspectives to uncover the major messages that they (the songs’) convey. Particularly, conducting comparative analysis on the themes of Amharic song lyrics and the song lyrics of other indigenous languages is recommended to understand the comprehensive sociopolitical landscape of the nation. VI Acknowledgements Glory to the Almighty God and St. Mary for opening a way to a new chapter. After Him and His Holy Mother number of individuals deserve my earnest gratitude for their assistances in the completion of this study. First of all, I would like to extend my gratefulness to my advisor Dr. Berhanu Mathewes for his unreserved critical comments and suggestions which led to a significant improvement of the study. His observations and insights have been very helpful inputs to my study. Without his commendable inputs and critical comments, the study would not have taken its current form. Next, I would like to thank my brothers, Demelash, Genene, Solomon, Belete, Samson, Endale, Shawel and Biruksew, and my sisters, Zenu, Workinesh, Webit and Shewaye for their moral and financial support. My gratitude also goes to Sintayehu Teka, Dr. Ashenafi Belay, Eba Teressa, Elisabeth Demessie, Dr. Wondimagegn Ayele, Dr. Balew Demissie, AtoYilma Gebreab, Meron Yilma, Ato Getachew Debalke, Ato Merehawi Sitot, W/ro Ayenalem Wolde, W/ro Yeshihareg Meresha and W/ro Alemtsehay Ejigu for their constant enquiry on the progress of the work and for reading part of the dissertation. I would also like to thank Engineer Wondewosen Kifle, Tsegu Azage, Zewege Abate, Samerawit Tezera, Sayem Useman W/ro Sirgut Ayenekulu and Tesfaye Tolera for their consistent logistic and moral supports. Finally, I extend my gratitude to my wife, Mekedes Getachew, who took full responsibility of our sons Eyosiyas Neguss and Yabtsega Neguss and helped me devote all my time on the study. All in all, I would like to say thank you to all the wonderful individuals around me who in one way or another stood by me in the course of this study. VII Table of contents Abstract ..................................................................................................................................V Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................VII Table of contents ....................................................................................................................VIII List of Acronyms ...................................................................................................................XI Definitions of Some Key Terms ............................................................................................XII Chapter I: Introduction .......................................................................................................1 1.1. Background of the Study ...............................................................................................1 1.2. Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................6 1.3. Objectives of the Study ...................................................................................................9 1.3.1. General Objective of the study .............................................................................9 1.3.2. Specific Objectives of the study ...........................................................................9 1.4. Significance of the Study ................................................................................................9 1.5. Scope and Limitations of the Study ................................................................................10 1.6. Methodology and Procedures .........................................................................................10 1.6.1. Methods of Data Collection .................................................................................11 1.6.2. Amharic Song Lyrics Selection ............................................................................11 1.6.3. Methods of Data Analysis ....................................................................................13 1.7. Organization of the Study ...............................................................................................14 Chapter II: Review of Related Literature .........................................................................15 2.1. Secular Songs in Ethiopia .......................................................................................15 2.2. Studies on Amharic Secular