Abstract:
This study mainly focuses on the southwestern Ethiopian people of the Mäjängir. It starts
Ca.1890 during the conquest of the area by Menelik’s forces and goes all the way upto the end of
imperial rule of Emperor Haile Selasie in 1974. The thesis attempts to analyze social, economic,
cultural and some political developments of the area mainly inhabited by the Mäjängir. In this
study, unlike other peoples of the southern Ethiopia the Mäjängir were not experienced the
gebbar näfţäñña system. In addition, the area inhabited by the Mäjängir was incorporated into
the Ethiopian empire in 1890. But they came under effective occupation of the central government
after 1941. After these years, peace and security prevailed in Mäjängirland. Conflicts were
reduced, raiding against them from their neighbors also stopped. Taxation was also imposed on
the Mäjängir only after the 1950s. Beginning from 1964 the Mäjängir began to embrace
Protestant Christianity. This influenced the later way of life of the Majangir. They realy
experienced changes changes afterwards. They abandoned their traditional religion and practices
at large.
