29.1.-1.2.2015
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MOVIES
WITH ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEMES

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THE GO-BETWEEN - AFAR OF ETHIOPIA

Norsko, 2014, 37 min
F. Storaas, R. Scott, G. Kassa
31.01.2015 20:30

A woman is reported killed - another case for Hussein.The Islamic pastoral Afars inhabit the north eastern rangelands of Ethiopia. Some have settled in towns and trade centres where also the Ethiopian government is present with the police and other government officials. Many Afars have a foot in both sectors, having a home in town while maintaining close contact with their nomadic relatives. Hussein Hayie has a government position as Peace and Security officer. His work is to judge whether an incident should be handled as a criminal case for the police or be left as a case to be solved the traditional way by the elders of the clans. The Afar political organization is based on both territory and kinship. The political institutions are geared towards social control and the resolution of conflicts. The tribal leaders are often called upon to intervene before a small matter escalates to homicide and if homicide occurs, to work out agreements of compensation in order to avoid blood-feuds. The film follows Hussein Hayie in town and when he visits his families in the nomadic camps. As a government employee he is continuously on duty and in the film we see how he is called to act.

Directors: Frode Storaas, Rolf Scott, Getachew Kassa
Production: Universiy Museum of Bergen, Norway

Language of dialogues: Afar, Amharic
Language of subtitles: English, Czech

Frode Storaas, professor, University Museum of Bergen, Norway
Rolf Scott, PhD-candidate, University of Bergen, Norway
Getachew Kassa, Associate professor, Addis Ababa University

Festivals (selection):
GIEFF in Gottingen, Germany
EASA in Tallllin, Estonia
NAFA in Island
AAA in Washington DC, USA
Ethnographic Cinema, Moscow