Ethiopian Journal of the Social Sciences and Humanities

Peripheral vs. Center-Seeking Nationalisms and Center-Periphery Relations in Ethiopia

Dawit Biazen Demesse — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Afar, Gambella, Somali, and Benishangul-Gumuz regions constitute a typology within Ethiopia's heterogeneous peripheries. Yet no previous classifications attend to the factors of trans-border existence, ethnic demography, and peripheral ethno-nationalism as criteria. These three factors subject these borderland peripheries in Ethiopia to the encounters with multiple centers. This shapes their national-level political agency in ways that perpetuate their peripherality in post-1991 Ethiopia. The focus of this paper is on one of these factors of being a borderland periphery in Ethiopia: peripheral ethno-nationalism (Somali nationalism) vis-à-vis an inter-center contestation between the post-1991 Ethiopian state center, the TPLF (Tigran People Liberation Front) center, and its Oromo center-seeking nationalist counterpart. A historical-analytical design, qualitative data (collected through one-month-long interviews in Jigjiga town of the Somali region), and historical-interpretive analysis are used. The study finds that previous works on Somali-Oromo relations overlook Somali's peripheral nationalism. This is not only vis-à-vis successive Ethiopian government centers but also with Oromo center-seeking nationalism. This triangular dynamic, the paper shows, shaped the Somali region's entry into a peripherality-perpetuating asymmetrical 'reciprocity' with the TPLF center, the main dispenser behind the post-1991 ethno-federal framework. This 'reciprocity' allowed the pro-regime Somali elite to play a nationally consequential political agency of holding one ‘peripheral' end for the TPLF in its inter-center contestation with its Oromo center-seeking nationalism, while also entrenching a repressive regional despotism in the Somali region.

Technoscientific Rationality

Nebiyou Ermias — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The symbiotic integration of science and technology, referred to as techno science, has become one of the defining features of the contemporary world. As a culture-shaping phenomenon, technoscience is overwhelmingly intertwined with society and the environment. It influences society’s functions, including how we are present in the world; how we engage with ourselves and others; and how the world appears before us. Despite technoscience shaping our world at an unprecedented pace, it is vital to examine the mechanisms through which it constructs these realities. Thus, this paper explores the general spirit of our contemporary period—technoscientific rationality—and its dilemmas. In navigating this zeitgeist, I critically assess the dilemmas posed by technoscientific rationality. I contend that while technoscience plays a significant role in shaping and governing today’s global order, it is misleading to view it as a totality. Instead, technoscience must be understood in terms of its mediating role within specific contexts, since it has different features in relation to the societies and environments it interacts with. Therefore, it is more insightful to delineate technoscience through specific human-world interactions rather than separating them into independent domains. The primary purpose of the paper is threefold: to examine the mediating role of technoscience in the contemporary human-world relationship; to uncover its dual nature as a 'pharmakon' – both panacea and malady; and to propose ethical and sustainable approaches for the future. To illustrate the complexities and dilemmas of technoscientific rationality, I focus on its interaction with contemporary Ethiopians, while employing a multi-method philosophical approach.

Indigenous Values, Beliefs, and Systems for Peacebuilding

Daniel Mekonnen — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores the role of indigenous values, beliefs, and systems in peacebuilding, focusing on the case of Jarssaa Gurachaa, an inter-ethnic indigenous peacebuilding institution among the Libido-Mareko, Meskan-Gurage, Oromo, and Silte ethnic groups in South-Central Ethiopia. The research employs a qualitative methodology, drawing on focus group discussions, interviews, and observations from multiple woredas in the Oromia and Central Ethiopia Regional States. It explores how the system, rooted in indigenous values and beliefs,, such as Seera and Feroo, and ritualistic practices like Gudda, Qaala-Maala, and Hodaa, functions effectively in resolving conflicts and promoting social harmony. Furthermore, the study examines how indigenous values and beliefs in multi-ethnic settings contribute to peacebuilding. The findings reveal that these normative frameworks play a crucial role in sustaining peace by promoting social cohesion and addressing conflicts holistically, considering both immediate disputes and long-term relationships within and between communities. The adaptability of these systems, especially in multi-ethnic settings, ensures the resolution of conflicts without the lingering animosities that modern legal frameworks often fail to address. By focusing on reconciliation, collective well-being, and the preservation of social bonds, the Jarssaa Gurachaa system offers a viable alternative to formal judicial systems. This study also discusses how the values and beliefs within these indigenous mechanisms could inform contemporary peacebuilding strategies in Ethiopia and similar multi-ethnic societies, offering valuable insights into the integration of indigenous knowledge with modern frameworks.

Divorce Aftermath through the Lens of Resilience

Girma Megerssa, Judith Globerman, Debebe Ero — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Divorce is an adverse family life transition, particularly, for women and children–the most vulnerable groups. Despite many studies addressing its prevalence, causes and consequences, divorce remains an inevitable outcome of violent marital relationships. Hence, it is imperative to promote strategies for positive adaptation post-divorce. Thus, the current study set out to investigate the resilience of divorced, custodial, single mothers in Adama, Ethiopia. Conducting semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 15 purposefully selected participants on their lived experiences, and using phenomenological data analysis, the study identified that women divorcees in the area remain emotionally resilient despite economic struggles in the aftermath of divorce. Spirituality, increasing self-awareness, commitment for sole custody, and seeking support, at the individual level; emotional and financial provision from families; and indigenous social institutions and other ecological support systems were key protective factors. Despite sharing the findings of many previous studies, the key results of the current research highlight three unique aspects: the sole custody as a protective factor, positive adaptation despite destitute economic situation, and the contribution of traditional social institutions for resilience of divorced women in the area. These findings lay a foundation for developing culturally relevant social work interventions, and show the need for further research to exploit indigenous social institutions as pivotal instrument for the same cause.

Archaeological Semiotics of Material Cultures of Gadaa Ritual Performances in Borana and Shewa Zones, Ethiopia

Garedow Abiba, Worku Derara, Alfredo González-Ruibal — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study documents the archaeological semiotics of the material cultures of Gadaa ritual performances in the Borana and Shewa Zones of Oromia. Gadaa is the Oromo traditional governance system recognized in 2016 by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of humanity. There has been limited archaeological semiotics research aimed at documenting and analyzing the material cultures of the Oromo. This study used a qualitative research approach and employed a purposive sampling technique to select participants. The findings indicate that Gadaa ritual objects have multiple iconic, indexical, and symbolic meanings. The results confirm both change and continuation in the use, production, function, and discard of traditional ritual objects. Changes are attributed to the influence of modern forms of governance and the expansion of plastic and metallic objects. Currently, the material cultures of Gadaa ritual performances are available and used at various Gadaa ceremonies, despite these changes. A post-processual approach was employed to interpret material culture. Indeed, the study recommends further archaeological investigation to detail the documentation and preservation of Gadaa ritual performances.