Mengistu Lemma [SEP] occupation
Mengistu Lemma
Mengistu Lemma (1924–1988) was an Ethiopian playwright and poet.
Biography.
Mengistu was born in Harar, to Aleqa Lemma Hailu and Wro Abebech Yilma. After undertaking traditional religious studies at the Tiqo Mekane Selassie church where his father was Aleqa (a title given to church leaders), he moved to the capital Addis Ababa due to the transfer of his father to the Qatchane Medhane'alem Church. There he was admitted to Kotebe Qedamawi Haile Selassie school.
In 1948, Mengistu studied in London at the
was awarded the 1967 Haile Selassie I Prize Trust Award. 
Writings.
Different social and political, as well as traditional and cultural issues dominate the plays of Mengistu Lemma:
- "Telfo Be Kissie" This play deals with the social reality which was dominant in Ethiopia during that time, i.e. abduction. Abduction was considered as a way of marriage (whether the woman agreed or disagreed) in the traditional societies of Ethiopia. Mengistu Lemma expressed his hope of developing a society of males who give priority to rationality and