An analysis of the perception of purification from impurity through the GIs ritual in the Basoliben community

Abstract

This study investigates how the Basoliben community perceives the ritual of “Gis” as a means of purfyng impurity. The main reason for this study is that there is a gap in studies focusing on the concepts of impurity and purification in Ethiopia, both in cultural studies and other academic disciplines. In the study, from the twenty-five kebeles found in Basoliben woreda, five kebeles were selected by purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The primary data were collected through observation, interviews, and focused group discussions in natural setting. The gathered data were analyzed using a descriptive and content analysis method, framed by structural-functionalism and purification-defilment or impurity theory approaches. The finding of the study indicat that, for the Basoliben community, one of the mechanisms used to purify what is considered defilement is the ‘Gis’ ritual which serves as an institutionalized way of preserving social values. The study reveals that the Gis ritual is performed by sprinkling blood and its goal is to protect the health of people and animals, as well as to cleanse diseases related to epidemics and curses.  Furthermore, the Gis ritual is not performed by individually, but through criteria that can bring people together. It is seen as a method of keeping purity in the community by avoiding defile behaviors that could jeopardize their social cohesiveness. Overall, the findings show that the community's observance of the Gis ritual serves as a means of maintaining cleanliness by avoiding undesirable acts that may harm unity, cause loss of production, or affect health. Likewise, adhering to the rules applied the norms of Gis ritual is a symbol of purity, and the diseases that results from not observing the norms and values is considered defilement.