
Alemenor (አለመኖር) A Psychological Novel by Dr. Dawit Wondimagegn
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Name: Dr. Dawit Wondimagegn
Current Positions:
- Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Addis Ababa University (AAU) School of Medicine
- Chief Executive Director, Tikur Anbessa Hospital
- Consultant Psychiatrist, Tikur Anbessa Hospital
- Co-chair and Director, Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration (TAAAC)
- National Lead, African Health Observatory Platform – Ethiopia National Centre
Former Positions:
- Chief Executive Director, College of Health Sciences (CHS)
- Vice President, Addis Ababa University (AAU)
- Chair, Department of Psychiatry, AAU
- Director of Graduate Programs, CHS, AAU
Contact Information:
- Mobile: +251911250826
- Email: dawit.wondimagegn@gmail.com / dawit.wondimagegn@aau.edu.et
- Website: alemenorbook.com
- Facebook: Alemenor Book
Profile:
- Country: Ethiopia
- Pillars: Health Ecosystems, Health Employment, Health Entrepreneurship, Governance
- Executive Steering Committee: Member
Professional Contributions: Dr. Dawit Wondimagegn is a renowned clinical and health systems leader, global mental health expert, and researcher. He has significantly contributed to decreasing stigma and improving access to mental healthcare in Ethiopia through his various roles. As an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at AAU, he co-leads the Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration with Marci Rose to develop post-graduate subspecialty training programs in numerous areas of medicine, primary care, and nursing in Ethiopia.
Research and Projects:
- Publications: Dr. Dawit has published extensively in global mental health, family medicine, medical ethics, psychotherapy knowledge translation, and postpartum depression.
- Grand Challenges Canada Projects: Principal investigator of two projects:
- The Biaber Project: Aimed at scaling up screening and mental health care in Ethiopian primary care settings.
- Collaborative Care Model: Engaged Ethiopian traditional healers to increase the identification and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT): Culturally adapted IPT for Ethiopia (IPT-E) and conducted IPT workshops for psychiatry residents at AAU and the University of Toronto. The Biaber Project trained over 500 Ethiopian primary care nurses in IPT-E.
Dr. Dawit’s multifaceted contributions to mental health and education in Ethiopia have had a profound impact, fostering progress in both clinical practices and academic collaborations.

BOOK DETAILS
- Title: Alemenor (አለመኖር)
- Author: Dr. Dawit Wondimagegn
- Publish Year: 2017
- Language: Amharic
- Category: Psychological Novel
- Pages: 373
- Price: 150 Ethiopian birr / 15 USD
- Number of Copies Published: 500,000+
- Other Works by the Author: Bet Yemetu Hasaboch (ቤት የመቱ ሀሳቦች)
ABOUT THE BOOK
“Alemenor (አለመኖር)” is an engaging and intense narrative that skillfully intertwines psychoanalysis, postmodernism, feminist theory, and issues of power and justice in a manner that is both accessible and thought-provoking. Dr. Dawit Wondimagegn blends philosophical depth with psychological insight, offering a rare and enriching contribution to Ethiopian literature.
The novel challenges readers to question long-held beliefs and norms, encouraging a progressive mindset that advocates for introspection and critical thinking. It pushes individuals, communities, and even governments to reflect internally rather than adopting a know-it-all attitude and imposing views on others. Dr. Dawit intentionally leaves questions unanswered, prompting readers to seek their own solutions to the problems presented.
QUOTES FROM THE BOOK AND REVIEWS
- Quote by Dr. Dawit Wondimagegn:
- ”ሰው ከተወለደ ጀምሮ እስከሚሞት ድረሰ ካለመኖር ፍርሀት ጋር ለምን ይተናነቃል?”
- Translation: “Why do humans grapple with the fear of non-existence from birth until death?”
- Reader Review by Daniel Lemma:
- “Is it possible to express an idea in this way in a single book? This is the first question that came to my mind when I read the book. There is almost no thought not mentioned in the book! But what impressed me was not the abstractness of the ideas, but the network and depth in which the ideas appeared. In this society where it is a threat to see or examine things outside of the usual view; ‘Alemenor’ shakes things from its foundation.”
EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK
- ”መኖርም የሚጀመረው አለመኖርን ከመፍራት ነው”
- Translation: “Life begins with overcoming the fear of non-existence.”
CONTACT & PURCHASE INFORMATION
To purchase “Alemenor” or for further inquiries, please contact Dr. Dawit Wondimagegn via the provided mobile number or email address. You can also visit the official website or Facebook page for more information.
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