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ABBAY GION IN THE ETHIOPIAN THEATRE [Abstract ID: 1211-06]
Abbay / Gion, a river’s name inextricablly linked with the Ethiopian socio-economic and political reality since the formation of rational society three millennia ago had been the source of spiritual and material culture for the Classical Greek, Sub Saharan Africa and the Middle East . It had been a prized source for the oral and written literatures of pre-Christian, Christian, Islam and Jew religions. More than 2500 years ago, Olympians believed that Ethiopia, where the Nile sprouts is the sacred land of Zeus-chief of Greek Gods. Abbay Gion assumes a sacrosanct stature in the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Holy Quran; and has also attracted the attention of Ethiopian writers and performing artists in the last few decades with the launch of the Grand Abbay Gion Dam. Of all the arts, performing arts especially drama/theater takes the lion share. A preliminary investigation indicates Abbay Gion, as a theme has attracted the attention of many dramatists, particularly those teaching at university theatre schools. Dramas related to Abbay Gion have been produced in Addis Ababa University, Jima University, Wolqite University, Mekele University, Aksum University, Wollo University, Bahir Dar Cultural Center and public playhouses in Addis Ababa. This research thus attempts to portray the form and contents of the performances from socio-economic and political perspective. The study hopefully would contribute materials to those scholars who would pursue academic endeavor in the area of Abbay Gion and the arts.