‘Beneath the Lion’s Gaze’: Maaza Mengiste’s portrait of Ethiopia
By Umar Osabo
IN the world of contemporary literature, few novels manage to encapsulate the political, economic, and socio-cultural atmosphere of a country with as much clarity and emotional resonance as Maaza Mengiste’s Beneath the Lion’s Gaze. Set against the backdrop of Ethiopia’s tumultuous political landscape during the 1974 revolution, Mengiste’s novel offers readers a gripping, poignant narrative that intertwines personal experiences with larger historical forces. The work is a narrative that challenges readers to understand not only the characters’ struggles but also the ideological forces at play in shaping Ethiopia’s past and its present.
This review seeks to provide an in-depth examination of Beneath the Lion’s Gaze, exploring the interplay of politics, economics, and socio-cultural dynamics that shape the novel, and to unpack the core ideological themes embedded within the text. Additionally, it explores how the novel’s themes reflect the political and economic atmosphere of Ethiopia during the time it was written—and beyond. By doing so, this review aims to deepen the reader’s understanding of the thematic concerns of the novel, including its treatment of revolution, power, gender, and the enduring effects of trauma on the human psyche.
Before we delve into an analysis of Beneath the Lion’s Gaze, it is essential to contextualize the novel within the broader political, economic, and socio-cultural landscape of Ethiopia. The story unfolds during the years leading up to and immediately following the 1974 Ethiopian Revolution, which marked the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie and the establishment of a Marxist-Leninist government under the Derg regime.
The 1974 revolution was a landmark event in Ethiopia’s history, precipitated by the failure of the imperial regime to address widespread poverty, inequality and dissatisfaction among various segments of Ethiopian society. The Emperor, once regarded as the “Lion of Judah,” became increasingly disconnected from the needs of the people. As the political tensions escalated, fueled by workers’ strikes, student protests, and the military’s growing dissatisfaction, the revolution marked a sharp break in Ethiopia’s political trajectory. The revolution culminated in the deposition of Emperor Haile Selassie and the establishment of a military government under the Derg, which promised to address the social and economic disparities that had plagued the country for decades.
However, the Derg’s promises quickly gave way to authoritarian rule, characterized by widespread repression, violence, and the establishment of a single-party state. The aftermath of the revolution saw the execution of former government officials and other perceived enemies of the new regime, as well as widespread famine and displacement that further compounded Ethiopia’s economic woes.
Ethiopia’s economy in the 1970s was marked by widespread poverty and underdevelopment. Despite being one of the oldest and most historically significant countries in Africa, Ethiopia was largely an agrarian society, with much of its population dependent on subsistence farming. This vulnerability to natural disasters, coupled with poor governance, resulted in frequent famines and hunger.
The most devastating of these was the famine that struck Ethiopia in the mid-1970s, exacerbating the dire economic conditions already prevailing in the country. This famine, coupled with the growing political instability, created a perfect storm that deeply affected the everyday lives of Ethiopians. In Beneath the Lion’s Gaze, Mengiste deftly captures how the economic struggles of the time shaped the lives of the novel’s characters, who grapple with poverty, displacement, and the trauma of loss.
Ethiopia’s socio-cultural landscape was also deeply divided during this period. On one hand, there were the traditionalist forces, often aligned with the monarchy, which sought to preserve Ethiopia’s historical heritage, including its Orthodox Christian faith, monarchy, and hierarchical social structure. On the other hand, there was the growing influence of modernism, as represented by student movements, intellectuals and revolutionary factions which were increasingly drawn to socialist ideologies and calls for radical change.
These conflicting socio-cultural forces created a society that was deeply polarized, with traditional beliefs clashing against new ideas of liberation and justice. Beneath the Lion’s Gaze explores these tensions, particularly in the way characters negotiate their personal identities within the context of such a divided society.
At its core, Beneath the Lion’s Gaze is an exploration of the intimate lives of ordinary Ethiopians caught in the vortex of revolutionary change. Through the experiences of the central characters— Hailu, a patriarchal figure who serves as a symbol of the old order, his son Dawit, a university student caught up in the revolutionary fervor, and his wife, Selam, who struggles to maintain her own agency in the midst of the chaos—the novel unveils the complexities of loyalty, love, and survival under oppressive regimes.
One of the central themes of Beneath the Lion’s Gaze is the notion of revolution and power. Mengiste illustrates the multifaceted nature of revolution, showing that while it may promise liberation and a break from the past, it often carries with it a new form of tyranny. The Derg regime, despite its promises of a more egalitarian society, becomes a repressive force that silences dissent and betrays its revolutionary ideals.
The struggle for power is portrayed as a double-edged sword—on the one hand , the revolution is necessary to dismantle the old regime; on the other, it becomes a tool for the new regime to solidify its hold on the country through violence, surveillance, and fear. This paradox is explored through the experiences of the novel’s characters, whose lives are irrevocably altered by the revolution.
In particular, Mengiste focuses on the ideological tensions within the revolutionary movement itself. Through Dawit’s character, the reader gains insight into the hopes and disillusionments of the student-led revolutionaries who believed they were fighting for a better future. However, as the revolution progresses and the brutality of the Derg becomes apparent, the ideals that initially motivated the revolutionaries are overshadowed by the grim reality of authoritarianism. This underscores the disillusionment many Ethiopians felt in the wake of the revolution, where the promise of a better future was marred by the harshness of the new regime.
Another crucial theme explored in Beneath the Lion’s Gaze is the theme of trauma and memory. The novel portrays the deep psychological scars left by political violence, particularly the violence inflicted by the Derg’s crackdown on perceived enemies. Characters in the novel wrestle with the trauma of witnessing executions, torture, and the destruction of their communities.
The theme of trauma is not only explored at the level of the individual but also at the collective level, as Ethiopia’s historical memory of violence becomes embedded in its national consciousness. Mengiste’s portrayal of the psychological impact of revolution and war highlights how trauma can transcend generations, affecting families and communities long after the political upheaval has ended.
The concept of the “ideological plane” in literature refers to the ways in which a text reflects, critiques, or engages with the ideological currents of its time. In the case of Beneath the Lion’s Gaze, the ideological plane is intricately linked to the political upheaval of the 1974 revolution, but also to the larger global currents of the 20th century, including Marxism, socialism, and the broader struggles for independence and liberation that were taking place across Africa and the world.
Mengiste’s novel does not merely depict revolution as a political event but also interrogates the ideological assumptions that underpin the notion of revolution itself. Through the personal stories of her characters, Mengiste examines how individuals are shaped by ideological forces —both local and global—that dictate their sense of identity, purpose, and duty. She interrogates the complex relationship between personal desire and ideological commitment, showing how personal relationships and moral choices are often caught in the crossfire of larger political and social transformations.
The ideological plane also manifests in the novel’s exploration of power dynamics, gender and resistance. The women in Beneath the Lion’s Gaze are not mere passive observers of history; rather, they are active agents who navigate their own struggles for agency in a patriarchal and authoritarian society. Selam, the central female character, embodies uni that define the human experience. By examining the novel through the lens of Ethiopia’s political, economic, and socio-cultural history, as well as through the ideological currents that shape its characters’ lives, we gain a deeper understanding of the enduring relevance of Mengiste’s work.
Through vivid storytelling, complex characters, and a careful analysis of Ethiopia’s historical moment, Beneath the Lion’s Gaze offers readers an invaluable perspective on the complexities of revolution, the nature of power, and the ways in which ideology shapes both personal and national identities. For those interested in understanding the intersection of personal and political histories, this novel is essential reading.
In conclusion, Beneath the Lion’s Gaze is more than just a historical novel; it is a timeless exploration of the costs of revolution, the enduring effects of trauma, and the ways in which individuals and nations reckon with their ideological pasts. It is a work that invites readers to reflect on the present and to question the ideological forces that continue to shape our world today.
* Dr. Osabo, renowned as a novelist, playwright, poet and journalist, currently serves as a research fellow at the Institute of Global Development Psrnership in the United States. Whispers of Gods can be purchased on Amazon
