Author(s) :

Sumiyo Nishiguchi.

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Abstract :

In Djiboutian Somali, kalidi “only” is the licenser of the weak negative polarity item (NPI) wuli “ever.” Kalidi “only” changes the polarity of the sentence. The addition of kalidi “only” makes the otherwise felicitous NPI infelicitous despite the presence of negation, and otherwise felicitous positive polarity item (PPI) infelicitous even without the negative element. The contribution of kalidi “only” equals that of negation in that it flips over the polarity.

No. of Downloads :

4

Author(s) :

Eyob Kelemework Wolde.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Girma Awgichew Demeke’s book, ኩሽ እና ኩሻዊ፤ ቋንቋ፣ ታሪክ፣ ሀይማኖት እና ነገድ (Cush and Cushitic: Language, History, Religion and Race), promises to be a major academic contribution to Cushitic studies, drawing on the author’s extensive background in linguistics. His previous contributions in the area have significantly shaped the current work. Especially, the two books written in Amharic (አማርኛ)፡ ቋንቋ እና ነገድ በኢትዮጵያ ቅጽ አንድ እና ቅጽ ሁለት (Language and Race in Ethiopia, Vol. 1 & 2), are notable in this regard. Like some of his other works in the field, Demeke’s use of the local language Amharic (አማርኛ) has an invaluable contribution to the local community, where the local readers get access to books in their language. Demeke, who holds both an MA and PhD in Linguistics, skillfully combines linguistic analysis with historical and cultural research to explore the significance of Cush and Cushitic peoples in African history, particularly within the Ethiopian context. This in-depth study is published by The Red Sea Press, adding to an expanding body of work that aims to illuminate the often-confused interpretation of the current usage of the term Cushitic in linguistics with the ancient Kush civilization and the usage of the similar word in religious texts. In his thorough discussion, Demeke clearly shows that the current usage of the term Cushitic has nothing to do with the ancient Kush Kingdom or the biblical Kush. The author’s thesis, as clearly indicated in the preface and introduction, is to make a general analysis of Cush and Cushitic from linguistic and historical perspectives. The main objective reads as “ዋናው አላማችን ኩሽ ወይም የዚህ ዝርያ ቃል በሆኑት ስያሜዎች ስለሚጠቀሱት ህዝቦች እና ቋንቋዎች እንዲሁም ስለጥንታዊ የኩሽ ስርወመንግስት ጠቅለል ያለ ግንዛቤ ማስጨበጥ ነው” (p. XVII). This literary means the book aims to create a general understanding of the people and languages named by the word Cush and its derivatives, and the ancient Cush Dynasty. The book does what is said; this thesis statement is met.

No. of Downloads :

32

Author(s) :

Degsew Tilahun.

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Abstract :

This study explored the complex relationship between culture and development through the lens of traditional West Gojam foods, beverages, and food rituals. The researcher employed ethnographic methods–observation, interviews, and group discussions–to gather data. The study found that these traditions have a two-sided impact on development. On the positive side, traditional food and beverage production creates jobs and income, reducing unemployment and motivating community members to engage in work. Additionally, food rituals strengthen social bonds and build social capital, which is a valuable asset for community development. However, the study also identified negative cultural beliefs surrounding food and beverages that can hinder development, particularly regarding gender roles. The reseracher suggested that training programs should be implemented to address these negative attitudes, ultimately leading to a more prosperous society and nation.

No. of Downloads :

18

Author(s) :

ASSEFA BALCHA.

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Abstract :

The limitations of modern western medicine following the Italian expulsion in 1941 created space for a range of alternative therapies to flourish. No longer persecuted, and officially recognized by the state, cleric/non-secular and other forms of indigenous healing modalities thrived during the Imperial era. A new system of therapy that combined indigenous medical knowledge with allopathic medical practice, particularly of the ‘injectionists’, ‘injectors’ or’ needlemen’ (Amh: mārfie wāgie) emerged during this period. Consequently, older forms of indigenous therapeutics underwent transformations in response to changing social conditions, including the growth and proliferation of modern medical ideas and technologies. These situations assisted therapeutic pluralism to be a feature of the post-Italian medical landscape. People seeking medical treatments during the imperial era picked up their therapeutic preference/s from this pluralistic healthcare delivery system. There are very few and fragmentary researches on the subject in Ethiopia. This study relying heavily on archival and oral sources provides a critical historical account on the training, degree of acceptance and popularity of ‘injectionists’ who provided an alternative medical service in Wällo, Ethiopia. While full references are given in the bibliography, the following acronyms are used in the in-text citations: Dässie Hospital (DH); Dessie Zuria Workers’ Party (DZWP); Imperial Ethiopian Government (IEG); Ministry of Health (MoH); Ministry of Public Health (MoPH); Ministry of Interior (MoI); Municipality of Dässie (MoD); Wällo Provincial Governorate Office (WPGO); Wällo Provincial Health Department (WPHD).

No. of Downloads :

14

Author(s) :

Imad M. Alatiqi.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

This Study attempts to tackle the most plausible timeframe of the prophet Moses and his Exodus from Egypt from a holistic point of view. We have employed archeological, astronomical, environmental, and documentary evidence in arriving at our results. In doing so, we were able to synchronize the applicable global forces with the original older historic sources like the chronologies of Manetho and Berrosus. Furthermore, key material culture changes were observed as tracers of major markers for civilization shift. We also consulted various signs from the holy scriptures as appropriate. The chronology closely followed major shifts in Egyptian dynastic rotation. It was found that Moses’ Exodus time marked the end of the old kingdom’s 6 th dynasty. The findings were confirmed by matching events from the Babylonian chronology, where it was found to mark the beginning of Khamazi dynasty. As a follow up on this result, we established the identity of Akhthoey the first king of Khamazi, as descendent of both Kohath the Levite, and Qahtan, an Arabian progenitor.

No. of Downloads :

12

Author(s) :

Walelign Melak (with Desalegn Hagos & Mulugeta Tarekegn).

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Abstract :

This paper explores the naming practices, meanings, and grammatical structures of descriptive settlement place names, in Gojjam. It examines how natural and sociocultural factors influence the naming of places. Natural factors include elements like the presence of spring water, proximity to the seashore, the function of rivers, and the local flora, fauna, soil color, land use patterns, and climate conditions. SocioCultural Causes involve aspects like speech patterns of residents, frequent activities held in the area, and the historical presence of settlements. The meanings of these names can be both literal (referential) and suggestive (connotative). The grammar of place names exhibits internally a range of grammatical features. Their form may indicate grammatical functions like diminutive, accusative, purposive, possessive), locative), and conditional. Their ineternal structure may have inflectional morphmes, and they can be compounds, noun phrases, prepositional phrases, and postpositional phrases

No. of Downloads :

35