Mellan Afrika och Orienten : Svenska skildringar av Etiopien och etiopier i böcker och enskilda tryck 1896–1935 Swedish depictions of Ethiopia and Ethiopians in books, 1896–1935

Sammanfattning

In this master thesis in History of Ideas, different depictions of Ethiopia and Ethiopians in Swedish literature from 1896 to 1935 are analysed and discussed. In my analysis, theories on orientalist representation, parallel discourses and discursive agency, and Teshale Tibebu's typology over different images of Ethiopia, are mainly employed. In the sources, I have firstly identified discourses based on racial ideas from mainly the 19th century. However, only two authors, literary author Sigfrid Siwertz and Christian revivalist author Arvid Wickstrom, appear to believe there are innate mental differences between Ethiopia's races and other racial groups. The majority of authors are instead proponents of the idea of ethnic characters, although they are not always clear on how these characters are acquired, or how deep seated they are. Ideas of ethnic characters being malleable, often blended with Christian universalism, are common. The missionary Fride Rylander is a radical exception, espousing cultural relativism and anti-racist views instead. Second, there are discourses regarding Ethiopia's sovereignty. The early missionaries stationed in Eritrea see an independent Ethiopia as an obstacle to their mission efforts. Over time, as more Swedish missionaries are allowed to work in Ethiopia, with greater freedom under the emperor Haile Selassie, a more positive view of the battle of Adwa arises, and Ethiopia's independence is taken for granted. The one exception is the author Sigfrid Siwertz. Third, there are discourses regarding Ethiopia's modernisation. The general view is that Ethiopia needs to modernise to be able keep its sovereignty. However, some authors do not want Ethiopia to modernise too fast, to ensure that Ethiopia's traditions and traditional lifestyles are retained. Overall, the general view of Ethiopia is marked by 19th century ideas of racial typologies and ethnic characters, but also Christian universalism and anti­imperialism. There are also exceptions in clearly racist and anti-racist directions.