A Classification Framework for Cultural Industries in Ethiopia

Abstract

The main purpose of this research article is to develop a context-specific classification framework for the cultural industries sector in Ethiopia. The concern arises from the deep understanding of the importance to classify the cultural sector in the country. Ethiopia is rich in cultural expressions. However, the country suffers from the lack of a standard national classification system oriented toward the development of its cultural industries. Cultural industries have great contributions for sustainable development of any type ranging from the creation of job opportunities and income generations to the vast sections of the general population, to the increment of national GDP growth, thus, to poverty reduction, etc. But, unfortunately, the cultural industries sector has still remained untapped for economic, social, and human/intellectual development in the Ethiopian context. The task is so challenging when it comes especially to the application of the most relevant theoretical and methodological views of the specific issue involved. Nevertheless, the problem has been overcome through the understandings of the best-benchmarked concepts, methods, and practices drawn on huge literature provided thus fur by international and regional organizations (e,g., UNESCO 2009, UNECTAD 2008, EU 2011, Convention Andre Bello 2008), national states (e.g., DCMS 2004 ) and scholars from research institutes (e.g., Cunningham 2002, Barrowclough and Kozul­ Wright, 2006) as well as informed well with the results of survey assessment research conducted in between 2011-2016 covering the country. In doing so the attempt reached conclusions with major findings having further imports to the development of cultural industries sector in Ethiopia.