Awra Amba

SYNOPSIS

40 years ago, an illiterate Ethiopian farmer created his own heaven on earth, based on equality and freedom from organised religions. He was driven by a belief that there is a way out of poverty, hunger and inequality, simply by working hard, reversing traditional values and getting rid of lengthy religious practices.

This is the story of his brainchild Awra Amba: a remarkable, rural weaving community in the Amhara Region in Northern Ethiopia. It is a story of belief in a better, more equal world where humans don’t have to suffer, but live in peace and harmony.

‘Awra Amba’ is a beautiful, observational film that shows a different side to development and Africa, told through the voices of a group of independent, intelligent and philosophical people who have figured out a better way to live. The film follows the lives of two women in the village, a mother and her daughter. Zibad, the daughter has just arrived in the village, seeking refuge with her five children after a violent marriage. We follow her trying to become a member and adjusting to a new way of life. Her mother Zeinab, the village’s teahouse-keeper is at the heart of all social events – through her story we discover the every day challenges the community faces through interaction with neighbouring communities who come in for tea and a chat.

Finally the founder and leader, Zumra Nuru takes us on a journey to the past where he recounts how he as a young man left his home and family to try and change women’s lives for the better in Ethiopia. His revolutionary vision was often met with hostility – and until this day, when he is 63 years old, he still needs round-the-clock protection by an armed guard due to decades of hatred and death threats.

CHARACTERS 

ZIBAD – THE DAUGHTER

Zibad is 34 years old and a mother of five. She and her children came to live with her mother in Awra Amba just over a year ago. Zibad was badly abused by her husband and had to escape to save her life. She is hoping to become a community member soon. But first, she has to fulfill a list of criteria set out by the community, including being free from any conflict in her life. She is not part of their economic system yet, where all profits are shared equally and therefore she has to work hard outside the community in order to provide for her children.

ZEINAB – THE MOTHER

Zeinab, Zibad’s mother, has given refuge to her daughter and her five grandchildren and together they share a small hut in Awra Amba. A smart and opinionated woman, she runs the teahouse in the village, where people meet, gossip and debate about every day things as well as big philosophical matters. Having always lived under oppression from men, Zeinab didn’t know anything about her rights before she came to Awra Amba. At 50, Zeinab has started her life all over again.

ATO ZUMRA – THE LEADER & FOUNDER

Zumra had the idea for Awra Amba already as a small boy, when he decided to try and change the lives of women in Ethiopia. Due to the unique, egalitarian philosophy of the village, the word has spread and the community now gets thousands of visitors every year ranging from tourists to political or religious leaders. But not everyone accepts Awra Amba’s revolutionary ideas and at the ripe old age of 63, Zumra stills needs protection around the clock due to continued death threats.