BEYOND ADVERSITIES

National literatures and nations themselves are socially constructed under identifiable political and historical circumstances (Sara M Corse 1997). In a world where Humanity is besieged by hunger, want, disease and absolute misery, in a world driven by exploitation of the Black by his kind, and in a world of inequality and social injustices, no criticism can be innocent, no literature can be of purely aesthetic value. Hence, Resistance Literature such as the present by an individual Oromo Oral Poet, the late Jarso Waqo of Borana, paves the way towards studies in sociology of Oromo Literature (Oral/Written). Sociology of Literature poses questions that relate to the social function of literature: what does literature do in society? does it reflect, more or less directly, the existing sociopolitical and cultural order of that society? is that reflection selective or covers the whole society? does literature go beyond a passive mere reflection of the status quo and play more active role in the working of the society? These and other related literary, anthropological and folkloric inquiries also characterize (Oromo) Resistance Literature.

Autorentext

Asafa Tafarra Dibaba was born in Gombo, Jarso district, Wollega, in 1967 from a farming family in Ethiopia. He is an Educator, Poet and Activist. His books include Edas-edanas (1997), Anaan'yaa(1998), Danaa (2000), Decorous Decorum (2006), and Eela (2009). Currently he is working towards his PhD in Folklore and Resistance Study.