Qene: Difference between revisions
Created article for qene, since it is an important art form from Ethiopia and has substantial scholarship written about it. |
Remove reference to Bete Amhara, sources are clear on Amhara areas, which includes Lasta, Begemder and Gojjam. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===Origin claims=== |
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The earliest evidence of qene dates to the late 15th century, during the reign of Emperor [[Eskender]] (1478–94). Tradition credits its invention to Tawanay of Gojjam, who allegedly lived in the 14th century.<ref name=Levine8/> The rules and style of qene were historically taught as part of religious education in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, in the level of schooling known as ''qene bet'' (“house of poetry”).<ref name=Binns/> Education in qene was akin to education in [[Ge’ez]], the liturgical language of the Church, as the grammar of Ge’ez was taught in the ''qene bet''. However, qene is closely associated with the [[Bete Amhara|Amhara region]] and [[Amhara people|Amhara]] culture.<ref name=Levine8/> |
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Tradition credits its invention to Tawanay of [[Gojjam]], who is said to have lived in the 14th century.<ref name=Levine8/> Other tradition claims further back to [[Yared]], a 6th-century [[Kingdom of Aksum|Aksumite]] composer.<ref name=Princeton462>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Ethiopia, Poetry of|encyclopedia=The Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics|last=Molvaer|first=R.K.|editor1-last=Greene |editor1-first=Roland |editor2-last=Cushman |editor2-first=Stephen |editor3-last=Cavanagh |editor3-first=Clare |editor4-last=Ramazani |editor4-first=Jahan |editor5-last=Rouzer |editor5-first=Paul F. |date=2012 |edition=4th |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/princeton-encyclopedia-of-poetry-and-poetics/oclc/811002342? |location=Princeton |publisher=Princeton University Press |page=462 |isbn=9781400841424}}</ref> |
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===Earliest documentation=== |
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The earliest specimens of qene [[Ancient literature#List of ancient texts|extant]] date back to the late 15th century to the reign of Emperor [[Eskender]] (1478–94).<ref name=Levine8/> |
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===Qene schools=== |
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Qene has always been associated with [[Amharas|Amhara]] culture and people, although it was originally composed in Ge'ez.<ref name=Levine8/> The main qene schools have always been located in Amhara areas, such as Gonj and Washara monasteries in Gojjam, at [[Gondar]] town in Begemder, [[Sayint]] in [[Bete Amhara|Wollo]] and Wadla monastery in [[Lasta]].<ref name=Levine8/><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Greene |first1=Ronald |last2=Cushman |first2=Stephen |last3=Cavanagh |first3=Clare |last4=Ramazani |first4=Jahan |last5=Rouzer |first5=Paul F |date=2012 |title=The Princeton encyclopedia of poetry and poetics |work=Edition 4 |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/princeton-encyclopedia-of-poetry-and-poetics/oclc/811002342? |location=Princeton |publisher=Princeton University Press |page=462 |isbn=9781400841424}}</ref> The rules and style of qene were historically taught as part of religious education in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, in the level of schooling known as ''qene bet'' (“house of poetry”).<ref name=Binns/> |
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Well-known modern Ethiopian poets include [[Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin]], [[Kebede Michael]], and [[Mengistu Lemma]]. |
Well-known modern Ethiopian poets include [[Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin]], [[Kebede Michael]], and [[Mengistu Lemma]]. |
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==Themes== |
==Themes== |
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''Sem-ena-werq'' in religious qene represents the dualism of [[Miaphysitism|Miaphysite]] Christianity, such as that of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.<ref name=Girma/> These poems were composed for religious events and church activities.<ref name=Haile>{{cite journal |last= Haile|first= Getatchew|date= 2006|title= Amharic Poetry of the Ethiopian Diaspora in America: A Sampler|journal= Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies|volume= 15|issue= 2/3|pages= 321–339|doi= 10.1353/dsp.2011.0069}}</ref><ref name= |
''Sem-ena-werq'' in religious qene represents the dualism of [[Miaphysitism|Miaphysite]] Christianity, such as that of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.<ref name=Girma/> These poems were composed for religious events and church activities.<ref name=Haile>{{cite journal |last= Haile|first= Getatchew|date= 2006|title= Amharic Poetry of the Ethiopian Diaspora in America: A Sampler|journal= Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies|volume= 15|issue= 2/3|pages= 321–339|doi= 10.1353/dsp.2011.0069}}</ref><ref name=Princeton462/> Secular qene was historically used to subtly insult and criticize those in positions of authority.<ref name=Binns/> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 00:17, 24 January 2022
Qene (Amharic: ቅኔ, romanized: qəne) is a genre of improvised oral poetry from Ethiopia.[1] The genre originates in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which historically provided traditional religious education, including the composition of qene.[2] Its origins are supposed to date back to the 14th century.[3]
Elements
Sem-ena-werq
The defining characteristic of qene is a literary device known as sem-ena-werq (Amharic: ሰምና ወርቅ, romanized: säməna wärq; “wax and gold”), which uses ambiguity to layer hidden meanings within the text; the term refers to an obvious meaning (the wax) above a deeper meaning (the gold).[4][2] In the process of goldsmithing, a clay cast is made around wax, after which the wax is drained and molten gold is poured into the cast.[4] This device is similar to a double entendre, and is predicated on multiple meanings of individual words or sentences.[1]
Wista weira
Wista weira (Amharic: ውስጥ ወይራ, romanized: wəsṭə wäyra; “inside the olive”) is a literary device similar to sem-ena-werq, though less common. While it also uses ambiguity to provide hidden meanings, its ambiguity comes from interpretation of the qene as a whole, rather than words or sentences.[1]
History
Origin claims
Tradition credits its invention to Tawanay of Gojjam, who is said to have lived in the 14th century.[3] Other tradition claims further back to Yared, a 6th-century Aksumite composer.[5]
Earliest documentation
The earliest specimens of qene extant date back to the late 15th century to the reign of Emperor Eskender (1478–94).[3]
Qene schools
Qene has always been associated with Amhara culture and people, although it was originally composed in Ge'ez.[3] The main qene schools have always been located in Amhara areas, such as Gonj and Washara monasteries in Gojjam, at Gondar town in Begemder, Sayint in Wollo and Wadla monastery in Lasta.[3][6] The rules and style of qene were historically taught as part of religious education in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, in the level of schooling known as qene bet (“house of poetry”).[1]
Well-known modern Ethiopian poets include Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin, Kebede Michael, and Mengistu Lemma.
Themes
Sem-ena-werq in religious qene represents the dualism of Miaphysite Christianity, such as that of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.[2] These poems were composed for religious events and church activities.[7][5] Secular qene was historically used to subtly insult and criticize those in positions of authority.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Binns, John (2013). "Out of Ethiopia: A Different Way of Doing Theology". International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church. 13 (1): 33–47. doi:10.1080/1474225X.2012.754137.
- ^ a b c Girma, Mohammed (2011). "Whose Meaning? The Wax and Gold Tradition as a Philosophical Foundation for an Ethiopian Hermeneutic". SOPHIA (50): 175–187. doi:10.1007/s11841-010-0201-9.
- ^ a b c d e Levine, Donald N. (1965). Wax & gold : tradition and innovation in Ethiopian culture. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 8. LCCN 65018340.
- ^ a b Levine, Donald N. (1965). Wax & gold : tradition and innovation in Ethiopian culture. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 5. LCCN 65018340.
- ^ a b Molvaer, R.K. (2012). "Ethiopia, Poetry of". In Greene, Roland; Cushman, Stephen; Cavanagh, Clare; Ramazani, Jahan; Rouzer, Paul F. (eds.). The Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics (4th ed.). Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 462. ISBN 9781400841424.
- ^ Greene, Ronald; Cushman, Stephen; Cavanagh, Clare; Ramazani, Jahan; Rouzer, Paul F (2012). The Princeton encyclopedia of poetry and poetics. Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 462. ISBN 9781400841424.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ Haile, Getatchew (2006). "Amharic Poetry of the Ethiopian Diaspora in America: A Sampler". Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies. 15 (2/3): 321–339. doi:10.1353/dsp.2011.0069.
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