Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Ethiopia/Key articles/Archive 1

Priority
Though having a list of 15 or so articles are good, I feel as if it's too many to edit for the number of users we have working in this project so far, so I propose to elevate 5 of those articles to higher priorities than the rest, and perhaps have a ranking within the 5. Also, if a certain article were to be a collaboration for a fortnight, month, or some time period like that, it might help focus the improvement of articles. Right now I propose (based on importance, how many people can contribute, and familiarity to others) the following five, in no specific order.

1. Ethiopia
 * Obviously important and well known; most of its sections have expanded info in later sections, so what's really needed is a lot of copy-editing, good narrating, and the inclusion of the key details already provided to make a seamless text.

2. Kingdom of Aksum
 * Not well known outside of Ethiopia, but highly important. However, the good thing is that anyone can contribute to the article as an online version of Stuart Munro-Hay's book Aksum exists in pdf and html format. I'll try to sectionalize and periodize the text as much as possible so that users can work on improving smaller sections rather than having to attack the article as a whole. Computerized searches through the text mean that finding relevant information in the text will be quick and easy (e.g. a section on warfare in the article can easily be researched just for searching for warfare-related items in Aksum and consulting the chapter on warfare).

3. Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia
 * Again, importance is evident, and he is also familiar to the western world. Perhaps less easy to contribute to than the previous two, but much easier than, e.g. the Zagwe dynasty due to the many books and websites about him. What's most needed is looking for sources for all the claims in the article. Once it is properly sourced (or while it is being sourced), copy-edits are needed to improve the narrative. The article is already substantial, so adding information is secondary and will probably go into sub-pages after a while.

4. 1984 - 1985 famine in Ethiopia
 * Not one of my favorites, and of limited importance in Ethiopia, but the defining event of Ethiopia for the west. Given its legacy, it shouldn't be too hard for users to find information on it, and tie-ins to pop culture should help get more users to participate (outside of WikiProject Ethiopia that is, or perhaps it could draw new users). Either way, there should also be a plethora of online sources, both Western and Ethiopian.

5. Menelek II of Ethiopia
 * Important and probably the second-best known Ethiopian in the Western world. The only problem is the ease with which all users can contribute (will definitely require some research). Still, it's one of the more important articles that needs to be elevated to GA and then FA status.

ዮም  (Yom)  |  contribs  •  Talk  05:21, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

Llywrch's proposal
I agree with you on Menilek, he's definitely important and needs more work done on his article, but I don't see why Yohannes would be more important than Tewodros, who began the modern era. The latter two, I believe, should go under Key articles, but under the 'less important' section. ዮም  (Yom)  |  contribs  •  Talk  05:21, 7 June 2006 (UTC)