The Dynamics of Religious Pluralism and Tolerance in Federal Ethiopia: The South Wollo Experience
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Date
2020-08
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AAU
Abstract
This study deals with the dynamics of religious pluralism and tolerance in Ethiopia’s secularism
considering South Wollo as a case.
The major objective of the study is to examine the changing character of religious pluralism and
tolerance in federal Ethiopia. The study argued that the adoption of ethnic federalism
accompanied by a religio-pluralistic secular venture has brought a new dynamics of religious
pluralism and tolerance in Ethiopia in general and in South Wollo in Particular.
Based on a qualitative approach, the study uncovers the issue of religious pluralism and
tolerance in the current secular venture; the emerging dynamics of religious contestation at the
federal level manifested in terms of state-religion relations, inter and intra-religious relations;
local models of religious pluralism and tolerance and the advent of reform movements and the
changing contours of religious tolerance.
The study emphasized the need for a holistic approach that helps understand the changes and
continues on the nature of religious pluralism and tolerance in the study area. Accordingly, from
a historical perspective, it discusses the trajectories of religious tolerance in pre-federal
Ethiopia since its modern inception in 1855.
Although the focus of the study is on the changes, it dwells on the local models of religious
pluralism and tolerance still existing in the area in order to show the changes that occurred
under the religio-pluralistic secular policy of the state. Hence, the study identified Communal
Institutions (Idir and Equb), interfaith marriage and affinity (Amachicha) relationship,
neighborly relations, the Abbagar institution, cooperation in building worship places and
pilgrimage to shrines still existing arenas of religious pluralism and tolerance in South Wollo.
In contrast, the study identified major areas of change over religious pluralism and tolerance as
the decline of interfaith- communal associations, neighborly relation is now becoming more
religious-based, and cooperation in building worship places is declining.
It is the contention of this study that the current venture has shown a mixed result as far as
religious tolerance is concerned. On the one hand, with all its pitfalls the Ethiopian secular
experience has positive ramifications for ensuring religious liberty by creating equal opportunity
for all religious groups in practicing their religion thereby set a stage for religious pluralism
and religious tolerance. On the other hand, the new religio-pluralistic policy has invited a new
dynamics of both inter and intrareligious intolerance.
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Keywords
Religious Pluralism and Tolerance,Tolerance in Federal Ethiopia,South Wollo