Notes From The Hyena's Belly

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In this powerful memoir, Nega Mezlekia vividly recounts his boyhood in Jijiga, Ethiopia, during the tumultuous 1970s and 1980s. He shares his personal journey from boyhood to manhood, introducing us to a colorful cast of characters: Wondwossen, his mischievous best friend; Mr. Alula, their beleaguered teacher; Mr. Tadesse, the school director and part-time poacher; Mustafa, the unconventional Muslim boarder; Mrs. Yetaferu, the Orthodox Christian boarder who creatively avoids work; and Yeneta, the local priest with insights into the spiritual realms. Mezlekia captures the chaos following Emperor Haile Selassie's fall and the rise of the communist Junta, whose Red Terror claimed 100,000 young lives. Despite being forced to join a guerrilla army at eighteen and facing numerous life-threatening situations, he managed to survive the violence. The narrative immerses readers in the sights, sounds, and smells of life in the Horn of Africa, portraying its complex humanity alongside a wild underworld of monkeys, lions, and hyenas. This memoir blends autobiography and social history, offering a captivating glimpse into a world where credulity is constantly tested amidst the clash of modern corruption and ancient customs. Mezlekia crafts a landscape rich in irony, absurdity, and stark beauty.