Traditional and Cultural Beliefs on Magical Prayers (Ethiopic Amulets) and Their Influences on Women's Life
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Date
2008-01
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Addis Ababa Universiy
Abstract
This thesis deals with the traditional and cultural beliefs on magical prayers in
Ethiopia, and their influence and connection on women's life. Amulets and scrolls
which are composed with different magical prayers or spells or charms have
played a great role on the life of women. Most cultures and traditions in Ethiopia
have connections to religious beliefs that supernatural powers can be compelled
or influenced, to act in certain ways for good or evil purposes, by using ritual
formulas. These formulas are, in a sense, magic. By performing certain magical
acts in a particular way, misfortunes are broken, illness cured or avoided,
women made fertile, evil spirits can be defended or possessed.
In this thesis I tried to list out and discuss many magical prayer texts. Especially
my explanation depend on the traditional and cultural phenomena of magical
prayers. I tried to examine the contents of the various works of magical prayer
texts. I tried to show the characters of magical prayers and how they are
connected to the life of women.
In other words I tried to indicate the linguistic, historical, and anthropological
features of magical prayers related to women. The connection between magical
prayers and evil spirits (demons, Zars,) are strongly elaborated. Some ideological
words which are composed together with magical prayers are examined as to
how they were used as ideological intensions among different ethnic groups.
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Traditional and Cultural Beliefs on Magical Prayers (Ethiopic Amulets)