Change and Continuity of the Socio-cultural Practices among the Zay Community, in Ethiopia
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Date
2021-03
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Addis ababa university
Abstract
This study primarly seeks to analyze the change and continuity of the socio-cultural practices among the Zay community in Ethiopia.The study principally employed qualitative research approach. In line with this approach, observations, in-depth interview, oral history interview, FGD and case study methods were used to gather data. Research informants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Accordingly, the findings of the study reveal that, the Zay Community has managed to establish vibrant and harmonious community composed of people who originated from different parts of the country and who developed remarkable success of solidarity, culture, values, and language unique to the Community. The Zay community composed of five major clans that have sub-groups (gosas) under each clans.The community has also achieved to introduce and establish its own unique customs and practices of marriage, funeral and wake ceremonies and celebration of the Meskel holiday upon which the tantalizing values of the community manifested. The study also identified, the Zay community is known for practicing terracing technique since a long period of time. Besides, the study shows that, members of the Zay community have been forced to leave the islands and live elsewhere due to internal and external factors and this forced the migrants from the islands adopted the culture and customs of other communities gradually disregarding their original socio-cultural values and identity.Migration and being overwhelmed by urban life and cultures and languages of dominant ethnic groups are indeed threatening the survival of the Zay community’s unique and remarkable socio-cultural values which are now virtually limited in the islands. Form this, the researcher has concluded that this is a matter of great concern and all the relevant stakeholders should endeavor to address array of the factors that are positing threat to the continuation of the identity of Zay community with its own socio-cultural values.
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Socio-Cultural Practices ;Zay Community