Tesfaye Sahlu

Tesfaye Sahelu (Amharic: ተስፋዬ ሳህሉ); June 27, 1923 – July 31, 2017)[1][2] also known as Abba Tesfaye, was an Ethiopian comedian and children's storybook author. He provided entertainment for the Ethiopian troops of the Agnew Battalion serving in the Korean War.[3] He received awards from Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Fine Art and Mass Media Prize Trust.[3] He was most widely known for his children's television program on the Ethiopian national broadcaster EBC, where he coined the catchphrase, "Lijoch Yezare Abebawoch Yenege Freywoch" (roughly translated, "Children! Today's flowers, tomorrow's seeds!").[1]

Early life

Tesfaye Sahlu was born on June 27, 1923 (ሰኔ 20, 1915 E.C.)[2] in Kedu, a town in the Bale province of south—eastern Ethiopia, to Egerssa Bedane and Yewenzwork Belete. He later moved to the capital Addis Ababa. His father, used to describe Tesfaye as "10 people in one" due to his multi-talented nature.[1] Both of Sahlu's parents died during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War.[3]

Career

1950s-60s

With the opening of the national theatre in 1955, Shalu's comedic shows reached a broad audience. During this time he was involved in 70 stage productions and appeared on television. He played many roles, including female roles, as there was a shortage of female actresses in theatre productions.[3]

1970's-80s

During the 70's and 80's, Sahlu published his first two children's books "Lojoch, ye are abebawotch, renege french" (1972) and "Ke’abbatoch lelijjoch" (1986).[3]

Family life

Sahlu was married to his wife with whom he had one child.

Death

Sahlu died of natural causes on July 31, 2017 at his home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.[3] His funeral was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where he was also interred.

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1960-2004 Ababa Tesfaye's Storytime Host, Narrator Broadcast on ETV

Other

Theater

  • Alula Aba Nega
  • Ha Hu Be Sidist Wor
  • King Oedipus
  • Dawitna Orion (David and Orion)
  • Othello
  • Ya Zawntoch kebeb
  • Enat Alem Tenu

Literature

Books

  • Lojoch, ye zare abebawotch, yenege frewoch (1972)
  • Ke’abbatoch lelijjoch (1986)
  • Ababa Tesfaye ena teretochachew: Volume 1-4 (2004)

Awards

  • Golden Watch Award by H.I.M. Haile Selassie
  • Lifetime Achievement Award by Ethiopian Fine Art and Mass Media Prize Trust

References

  1. 1 2 3 Feyissa, Girma (Aug 12, 2017). "Tribute to a Man of All Trades". Addis Fortune.
  2. 1 2 "Happy Birth Day Ababa Tesfaye - Untold Storys of Ababa Tesfaye". DireTube. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fantasia, Rarefy (August 3, 2017). "Remembering Fayette Sahlu, children's television programmed icon".
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