Sublimation means to express one self in a socially acceptable or
desirable manner. For example, the tendency for adults to sing in public is
more acceptable than to cry like a spoiled brat or child.
The word sublimation was originally coined by Sigmund Freud in his
attempt to classify the different types of defensive mechanism aimed at
hiding or easing ones pent-up tension or discomfort. By definition, in Tigringa
it simply means ምምኽናይ ወይ ምምሽኻን for ones fault or limitation.
However, such assumption in one way or another is shaped by Freud's view of
human nature as a libidinal or sensual energy. In short, it sounds so
mechanical, and for this, his theory was and still is subject to criticism.
To Jung, who was a fellow psychiatrist and critic of Freud,
sublimation is part of the royal art where the true gold is made. It is influenced
by ones negative experience from early on. But it can be overcome as one
sees it as a challenge in his endeavor to take advantage of his misfortune
or predicament. Thus Jung with his creative suffering in mind; ones
admitted as if his excellence in educational domain is attributed to his
inferiority complex. Similarly, during Holocaust (መቅዘፍቲ), many Jewish like
Kafka, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Elie Wiesel including Luigi Pirandello, Ignazio
Silone during Fascist era emerged as the most celebrated writers and poets.
By the same token, it is striking to see the increasing number of
Eritrean artists, musicians, sportsmen, writers, poets since the struggle
years. Also, like that Neo-Victorian, the traditional hair styles and national
dress of Eritrean women are blended with modern state-of-art fashion. I
realize such artistic hue can not be seen apart from sublimation rooted in a
long Eritrean suffering symbolizing a zigzag "Challenge Road" of the
mighty mountain of Sahel, once the stronghold of freedom fighters.
But in my view, the Eritrean sublimation is unfinished business; or
the wish fulfillment of our forefathers who were tempered by ceaseless
colonial rule in this trouble spot of Africa. For those who sacrificed
their lives FREEDOM was something to live behind (ሓድጊ), and for their orphaned
children is a mere
trustship (ሕድሪ) in safeguarding the hard-won freedom by excelling in
education as the following poem, by the late Professor Amdetsion Kidane
denotes:-
I pledge to you my dear Dad
I will commit myself to your command
To join the youth that subscribes to common decency
Humbleness, politeness, respect and courtesy
To be God-fearing and considerate of the elderly
As your generation lived so admirably.
Now Dad, I pledge to you without hesitation
That I will live up to your expectation
To be the best that I can be
To make you proud as proud should be
I wish you were alive today to see your wish fulfilled
Yours only son has finally matured.