Ethiopia that had been at the high-up as one of the few world powers in
the 1st and early centuries of the 2nd millennium, and later to descend
to poverty line to the extent of being synonym for famine and
degradation in an English dictionary, is currently on the verge of
socio-economic renaissance. Likewise, the country that experienced film
viewing in the very early years of the development of world cinema for
more than hundred twenty years had eventually lagged behind those
African countries exposed to cinematic arts a few decades ago; but now
relatively ascending to its historical status. These days, over hundred
films are produced on annual bases in Ethiopia. Regarding theatre arts,
Ethiopia is the first country in Africa that produced a native play
hundred Years ago. Nevertheless many articles, books, and encyclopaedias
written on African and theatre do not as such include the Ethiopian
account, hence adversely affecting the wholeness of universal knowledge.
This book thus attempts to narrow the gap by portraying the historical
development of Ethiopian cinema and Theatre.