field research in ethiopia

From April to June 1993, several teams of researchers led by a number of scholars from around the world, traveled to various parts of Ethiopia to first identify and then work with the artists who are featured in the exhibition. Each of the scholars returned to communities where they had worked before. In most cases the artists selected for the exhibition were chosen not by the research team, but by the people in the community in which they lived.

 

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 Girma Fisseha (left) interviewing Jembere Hailu (right).

Neal Sobania (right) working with Tolera Tafa (left).

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 Tsehai Berhane-Selassie (right) with her field assistant, Werqnesh Weltamo, (center) interviewing Tabita Hatute (left).

Elisabeth Biasio (left) talking with Zerihun Yetmgeta (right).

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 Ahmed Zekeria (right) talking to Amina Ismail Sherif (left) about one of her basket containers.

Mary Ann Zelinsky-Cartledge interviewing Ilto Indalay as he works at his loom.

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 Jon Abbink (right) standing with Me'en elder.

Marco Bassi (left) with his field assistant, Haleke Elema (center), interviewing Elema Boru (right).

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 Alula Pankhurst (right) and Worku Nida (center) interviewing Menjiye Tabita.

Ray Silverman (right) and Neal Sobania (left) with Adamu Tesfaw (center).

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 View of artifacts collected for the exhibition in curator's room at the Addis Ababa University Guest House.

Sorghum stalk models collected for the exhibition in the curator's room.

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 Boxes of artifacts collected for the exhibition waiting to be unpacked in the Ethiopian Projects Office, Michigan State University.
 

1994 exhibit overview