Culture
The Book of Ethiopia: A Palimpsest Through 33 Characters
The Reporter · 3 hours ago · Read the Full Story on The Reporter
AI SUMMARY
Yves-Marie Stranger’s new book uses the 33 characters of the Ethiopian fidel to explore the country's history, cultural identity, and capacity for reinvention through a collection of biographical vignettes.
- Yves-Marie Stranger published The Book of Ethiopia: Pêro da Covilhã’s Hornbook — A Palimpsest in 33 Characters and 13 Months.
- The work comprises 33 biographical vignettes organized around the Ethiopian syllabary, or fidel, rather than following a conventional chronological narrative.
- The book centers on an imagined manuscript associated with the Portuguese traveler Pêro da Covilhã, who arrived in Ethiopia in the late 15th century.
- Stranger spent about 15 years living in Ethiopia and two decades producing the physical book.
- The concept of a palimpsest provides the book's framework, illustrating how historical memory retains traces of earlier accounts alongside later interpretations.
- Film producer Ivan Dias noted that the book blurs the line between historical reality and magical realism.
- The book references diverse literary and historical traditions including Greek writings, biblical accounts, the Kebra Negest, and the writings of James Bruce.
- One biographical vignette centers on Elebat, a resident of Lalibela born during the Derg regime who works in a Chinese shoe factory while participating in traditional rotating savings associations and burial societies.
- Human rights attorney and reviewer Tarikua Getachew described the book as an ideal read for those wanting to explore Ethiopian history through diverse voices and literary devices.
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