Historical Figures As It Is Taught In Ethiopia
A stark difference between Ethiopia (my country) and a place like the U.S. is the value given to historical figures. Let me confess and say, i know more about President Nixon than i do about, let’s say, Emperor of Ethiopia Tewodros.
It must have been in one of the elementary calsses, probably the 5th or 6th grade, that i was first introduced to Ethiopian history and in particular the leaders of my nation. And the lesson stops there. A brief description of each leaders, followed by a brief description of their role in Ethiopian history.
I am sure there are printed books that detail their life, but it was not something that you could easily find laying around in your house or at a book store, for that matter. And if you do, you must be the lucky few whose parents happen to be a history buff.
I realized the difference in how history is thought, in Ethiopia and as it is in the U.S., once i arrived in the U.S.
Not that all Americans are keenly aware of their historical figures, but in America the slightest attention to the news or elections will teach you a great deal on how Americans (the leaders) have been inspired by some given leader in the past.
They always seem to refer to a great leader from the past that has inspired them by a speech, ideology or something. Anything.
It is fascinating to me how little we know about our past leaders. How less an importance a leader in the past is given. How a leader is basically erased from history and the history books. I must tell you, i have learned more about the leaders of my nation in the Wekipidia, then i have in any history book in my elementary school years.
And to find myself reading about this leaders, that i have never heard of anyone refer back to with a sense of pride, and reading about their pride in their country -not to mention the enemies they have faced and fought back - has engulfed me with mixed feelings of belonging, regret, and rediscovery.
In the past, i could hardly name 5 past Ethiopian leaders. But now i am proud to say that i know enough of them, but most importantly, i am keenly aware of the important role they have played in Ethiopian history.
Ironic how my interest in the U.S. History helped me to go back and learn my own history.
Filed under: Ethiopia | Tagged: ethiopian history, ethiopian leaders, history, rulers, u.s history
I think one factor that might play into reason why there is difference could be the level of literacy in each country. I am not sure how many books you have in Ethiopia about emperor Tewdros or other figures… are there cafes with literary saloons, are there any book clubs?
It is amazing how many biographical books there are about Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, etc.. every other year there is new book… beside books also there movies about these leaders…
Another thing is also the history… America did not have kings or emperors or dictator, etc…
All the past leaders were “of the people” and chosen by the people which makes it easy for American politicians to utilize them in their speech or claim inspiration from them…
Although America has a young history relative to Ethiopia, its history is full of elected leaders who at worst are mediocre or incompetent but not tyrannical or dictatorial(if that is a word).
I don’t think lot European leaders claim inspiration from their historical figures to extent American politician do.. this might do the fact in most of European countries democracy or elected representation is fairly new- whereas America has had 200+ years of democracy..
I suspect two main factors on how historical figures are viewed is a combination of level of literacy in society and type of history…
I don’t know if illiteracy is something of a factor. I consider myself literate, yet my lack of knowledge of my past leader can be directly attributed to the lack of understanding by the school system, on the value of history (the good and the bad, the dictator and the trailblazer).
history has a good and a bad. And i think teaching both sides with emphasis is a great way to teach your citizens the good they should model, and the mistakes they should avoid.
I am not necessarily saying that literacy will suddenly make someone interested in learning about past leaders.
There are a lot of American who don’t know anything about past American leaders…some of them can’t even name some of presidents on the money…
But if an American has interest in learning or is curious, all he or she is needs to be literate and go to Google or any public library..
I am not sure if majority of Ethiopians have that option according to this article given the literacy rate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_literacy_rate
Fortunately, you and I are some those people who had the opportunity to be literate and with some interest in African leaders or past (speaking for myself).
Another thing is, I am not sure if other leaders in world do this, as far as I know recent American presidents do this, that is open a Library i.e. Reagon, Clinton, etc.
In most these libraries, the presidents leave a lot of material so that researchers could .
.. http://www.clintonlibrary.gov/
I am not if this possible in societies where the literacy is not high?