Browsing by Author "Alemu, Birhanie"

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    A Study on Socio-Cultural and Economic Marginalization of Artisans in Dembecha Woreda, West Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region
    (Addis Ababa University, 2010-06) Alemu, Birhanie; Megerssa, Gemechu (PhD)
    Craft workers in the Dembecha woreda were/are marginalized occupational groups . . Despite their ago-old existence and importance of crafts, they were sidelined from the mainstream society in which they li ve. In addition, factors for the low status and marginalization of craft workers in the northern part of Ethiopia are less studied. Therefore, we have very little information about this group of people, especially from the change and continuity perspective. Thus, this thesis aims to contribute ethnographic information about the socio-economic condition and aspects of marginali zation in light of change and continuity. The main objective of the thesis is to investigate and describe factors for the low status of artisans and dimensions of marginalization who are settled in Dembecha woreda, West Gojjam Zone of Amhara Regional State. The thesis also tries to describe organizing principles of artisans in light of the dominant society's social setting. In addition, changes and continuities in the production and exchange system of handicrafts are discussed. In order to treat the stated problem and accomplish the objective, both primary and secondary methods of data collection were used. Participant observation and informant interview were important mechanisms to gather primary data. Avai lable written materials were also reviewed. The major finding of the thesis indicates that craft workers were exposed to social, cultural, economic, spatial and political aspects of marginalization. In addition, the field data revealed that many of the factors upheld among the dominant society for the low status of m1isans are cultural constructions under vein of social norms. However, the lives of craft workers have changed overtime. Approbation of land ownership right and expansion of modern education have positively affected the different dimensions of marginalization. Craft workers have thus achieved improved social and economic position. However, craft workers in the study area are not considered as full social persons. They are still despised through contemptuous feelings and ideological explanations. This is to say, though there is no official marginalization, art isans are sti ll remi nded as not equal with others.
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    A Study on Socio-Cultural And Economic Marginalization of Artisans in Dembecha Woreda, West Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region
    (AAU, 2010-06) Alemu, Birhanie; Megerssa, Gernechu(PhD)
    raft workers in the Dembecha w reda were/arc marginalized cupati nal gr up . Dc pite their ago-old ex istence and importance of craft , they w re id lin d from the main tr am ociety in which they li ve. In addi tion, factor for the I v tatu and marginali za ti n f craft workers in the northern part of Ethiopia ar Ie tudied. Thercforc. wc ha c vc ry littlc information about th is group of peopl e, especially from the changc and co ntinuity pcr pcc ti vc. Thus, this th es is aims to contribute ethnographic in format ion abo ut the soc io-ec nomic co ndition and as pects of marginalization in light of change and continuit y. The main objective of the thes is is to investigate and desc ribe fac tors for the low status of art isans and dimensions of marginalization who are se ttl ed in Dembecha woreda, West Gojjam Zone of Amhara Regional State. The thes is also tries to describe organi zing principles of artisans in light of the dominant soc iety's social setting. In add ition, changes and continuities in the prod uction and exchange system of handicrafts are di scussed. In order to treat the stated problem and accompli sh the objecti ve, both primary and secondary methods of data collection were used. Participant observation and informant interview were im portant mechanisms to gather primary data. Avail able writte n materials were also rev iewed. The major finding of the thesis indicates that craft workers were exposed to soc ial , cultural, economic, spati al and political aspects of marginali zation. In add iti on, the fi eld data revealed that many of the factors upheld among the dominant soc iety for the low status of arti sans are cultural constructions under vein of social norms. However, the lives of craft workers have changed overtime. Approbation of land ownership right and expansion of modern education have posi ti ve ly affec ted the different dimensions of margina li zation. Craft workers have thus ac hieved improved social and economic pos ition. Howeve r, craft workers in the study area are not considered as full soc ial persons. They are still despised th rough contemptuous feelings and ideo logical ex planati ons. This is to ay, though there is no offic ial marginalization, artisans are still reminded as not equ al with others.