The Portrayal of China in Ethiopia’s Creative Works

Abstract

This article examines the portrayal of China in Ethiopian artistic works through the lens of Orientalism, postcolonialism, and representation theory. It focuses on six artists who use different narrative modes to illustrate the relationship between China and Ethiopia. Through textual analysis, the article examines the motifs, narratives, and ideological constructs that shape how the creative works view China. The article argues that after Ethiopia's 1991 political change, creative works began reflecting the evolving Ethiopia-China relationship, shaped by economic, cultural, social, and political ties, with artistic expressions celebrating and critiquing it. The findings reveal that most Ethiopian creative expressions depict China positively, highlighting its economic and cultural influence. However, they also uncover a subtle scepticism underlying this portrayal. The analysis examines how these representations show economic, social, and political changes shaping South-South relations and culture. The article contributes to the discourse on China’s role as a key partner in Ethiopia’s development and modernization and its implications for bilateral relations in a globalized context.