Simon, Gebremedhin (PhD)Nigus, Asmeret2018-06-262023-11-082018-06-262023-11-082011-05http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/3680The role of communication in understanding meaning generated by means of signs and codes and connecting the collection of meanings to the whole is the paramount reason that leads people‘s way of life to a broader part. This study sets out to examine the generation of meaning through cultural practices; taking the practice of female genital circumcision in focus. The research particularly shades light on the Afar people meaning attribution of female genital circumcision (FGC). Different efforts have been made in order to stop FGC in the study area because its physical and psychological impact is greater than its value in other cultures. Yet the efforts that have been made in stopping the practice are meaningless to the people of Afar and they are not willing to let the new idea or knowledge to get in to the way of the old one because FGC for them is a cultural entity that holds the other traditions and values together and without it their way of life could be diminished. Here what this study tried to find out is the Afar people’s generation of meaning by practicing FGC. The study tried to answer the people’s cultural implication of the practice and their disparity in the interpretation of FGC Qualitative methodology is used to dig out information that is vital to the study. The study employed interview, focus group discussion and participant observations as tools for generating data from two weredas namely: Dubti and Abala. For this study a purposive sampling technique was followed as the focus is on limited number of informants, that are selected strategically so that their in depth information will give optional insight. The finding of the study shows that the people’s meaning of FGC as a symbol signifying their tradition: preservation of virginity, enhancement of male sexual pleasure, a stage for womanhood, better marriage prospects and prevents excessive clitoral growth; their strong religious attachment: cleanliness, as baptism to be a Muslim and as a procedure to be accepted as a member of the society. Their meaning given to the practice by the people is diverse as a result of their age, gender, social status. I addition, People who live in the urban and rural area have different interpretation of FGC.enRelation to CultureThesis