Understanding religion and social change in Ethiopia : toward a hermeneutic of covenant / Mohammed Girma.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Girma, Mohammed.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religion and politics.

Social change.

Religion--Influence.

Religion.

Ethiopia--Religion.

Ethiopia.

Social change--Ethiopia.

Religion and politics--Ethiopia.

Physical Description:

xxi, 219 pages ; 23 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.

Summary:

"Social and political history of Ethiopia has proven, time and again, that abrupt change did not suit the cultural nature of its society. The reason is that Ethiopia is an ancient society anchored in religiously laden value system. As a result, the ready-made changes tailored by the political entrepreneurs with no participation of the grassroots did not suit social memory of the mass. Instead of sudden rapture, this calls for the continuity of some elements of traditional values. This study therefore aims to use the metaphor of covenant thinking as a hermeneutical tool that can be used as medium to negotiate change and transition without fear of risking cultural identity"--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

1 The Hermeneutic of "Wax and Gold" 1

2 The Hermeneutic of Demystification 45

3 The Hermeneutic of Compartmentalization 91

4 Toward a New Hermeneutic of Covenant 137.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781137269416

1137269413

OCLC:

792880386