A historical survey of the mäjängir people, southwestern Ethiopia Ca. 1890-1974

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.