PREFACE
Although religious rituals and cultural ceremonies incorporated in this study are mainly in Addis Ababa, the genesis and impetus for the writing of this book comes from my own childhood experiences. My most vivid childhood religious memories are of the festivals of MesqeZ and Timqet. What remains most memorable to me about these festivals is that the delight ululations heard and tears shed from the face of my grand mother, Belaynesh Bekele, when she saw Tabots-Ark of the Covenant-on the occasions of the feast of Timqet. At that moment, what makes my grand mother very happy when she saw tabots and weeps joyous was unclear to me. Now it becomes obvious to me that rituals are every powerful to touch our inner most feelings, thoughts and are strong enough to arose uncontrollable emotions in us.
This research case has created the opportunity to develop my academic curiosity to retrospect those social events that influenced my childhood life experiences and the beliefs and worldviews of my own people.
Thereby, anthropology is much more than a science that would help us to understand the mode of life and cultural practices of other peoples. It could create immense academic opportunity to understand and define our identity within the vast world in which cultural complexities have become threatening for the existence of indigenous cultural practices of the people.
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