Pankhurst, Alula(DrMengesha, Kifle2022-04-272023-11-042022-04-272023-11-042002-05http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/31527Old people are important members of a given society. Nevertheless, the extent of attention given to this group varies considerably. In Ethiopia, demographic reports unanimously indicate that the conventional productive and reproductive age group ranges between 15-49 years. This implicitly shows that those aged over 50 are not considered important. This study was designed to explore the livelihoods of old people in rural area, an important and yet poorly studied group. The study was carried out among the Amhara of Ensaro. The major objectives of the study were to describe the life of the elderly in the context of local social, cultural and economic frameworks. The study specifically addresses such questions as emic definitions of old age, dynamics of old people's life styles, gender related activities of old people and intra and inter generational ties between the old people and the younger generation. Data relevant to the stated objectives have been collected using a combination of techniques. These include participatory observation, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, sample survey, taking pictures, and recording daily routines and events. These methods are designed to compliment each other. Forty informants were chosen purposefully from the total number of three hundred sixty three people aged fifty-five and above. The major findings of the study show that definitions of old age are based on biological, functional, psychological, and social attributes. However, functional attTibutes were found to be common markers of old age. As long as a person carries out his normal activities he is not considered to be old. Based on a chronological definition, it was gathered that local people established the onset of old age and three categories of elders. Age 55 is regarded as the threshold of old age and age brackets 55-65, 65-75, and 76 and above are considered young old, middle-old and old-old respectively. The study explores the roles and statuses of old people under three Government administrations (Haile Selassie, Derg, and EPRDF). In the Haile Selassie (Monarchic) regime elders had a high status and role and commanded good respect. It can be argued that this is mainly because children were directly allocated land by their parents when they established households of their own which in turn strengthens filial piety and respect toward their parents. Elders were responsible to handle such social problems as blood feuds and other conflicts in their community. During the Derg regime, however, land was nationalized and redistributed among members of the society. Most of the children who reached the marriageable age could be allocated land through leaders of peasant association. This trend had a negative impact with regard to respect and filial piety towards the aged. Furthermore, the emergence of various mass organizations eroded the role and status of the aged, most of the young became orators in public in the presence of elders, unlike previously.enThesis