A History of Qärsa District, 1942-1991

Abstract

The study is a historical survey of of Qärsa district from 1942-1991. The purpose of the study is to reconstruct the socio-economic and political history of Qärsa district Jimma Zone, focusing on the monarchical government of Emperor Hailesillassie and Dӓrg the military rule. The year 1942 was the turning point on the history of the district because of the restoration of imperial regime, while 1991 is a year of the collapse of the Dӓrg regime. This thesis reconstructed the history of Qärsa district based on relivant archival materials, primary, secondary and oral sources. Appropriate data from different sources are gathered and organized. The collacted data with oral information carefully arranged and crosschecked, then the data are analyzed, interpreted and narrated chronologically. The finding of the thesis is to show the changes and continuties in Qärsa district in the context of change in policy and government at national level. The restoration of the imperial rule and subsequent reforms that imperial government introduced, especially in relation to administration, land and the subsequent reaction of the people of the district to introduce changes are the main themes of analysis for the periods between 1941 and 1974. Thus, the thesis argues that socio-economic and administrative changes made by Emperor Hailesillassie’s government in the post 1941 brought little attempt in the living conditions of people of the district. The study also tries to examine developments that Qärsa district witnessed during the Dӓrg regime (1974-1991). The military attempts to place its power on a better position by introducing several measures at national level had its own positive and negative impact in socio-economic development of Qärsa district