The portrayal of COVID-19 in Ethiopian song lyrics

The portrayal of COVID-19 in songs varies greatly depending on the artist. This study examined COVID-19 lyrics in songs in Amharic from the perspective of artistic communication. The songs are a form of emotional release that provides comfort and hope in difficult times. They raise awareness and educate Ethiopians about the importance of taking precautions, such as wearing masks and following social distancing guidelines. The songs intend to bring people together, strengthen communities, and instill a sense of solidarity. However, the study found that the portrayal of the pandemic in the lyrics is limited due to audience representation, framing, messages, cultural contextualization, and artistry. This leads to listeners misinterpreting multiple aspects of the pandemic. The analysis of the lyrics related to COVID-19 provides important insights into how the pandemic has been portrayed in the country's cultural production.

Automated summary

The study examines COVID-19 lyrics in Amharic songs and finds that they serve as an emotional release, providing comfort and hope in difficult times. These songs raise awareness among Ethiopians about the importance of precautions, such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing. However, the limitations in audience representation, framing, messages, cultural contextualization, and artistry result in misinterpretations of the pandemic's aspects by listeners. The analysis of these lyrics offers valuable insights into the portrayal of the pandemic in Ethiopian cultural production.