Author(s) :

Assefa Balcha.

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Abstract :

Based on local Amharic and Ge'ez medical manuscripts and secondary source materials, along with a wide-ranging oral data that have been gathered over an extended period, this study makes a critical examination and thoughtful analysis as to how healers mastering an extensive knowledge of therapeutically valuable herbs provided their expert medical services to their community members in Wāllo, Ethiopia. The main objective of this study is to reconstruct the multifarious role herbalist-healers played in the fight against plethora of human and animal diseases. How herbalist-healers learned and/or inherited the requisite medical knowledge and treatment skill is the other facet of this historically-informed research. Additionally, why the society upheld mixed attitude towards herbalist-healers has been explored in the wider socio-cultural and religious contexts. The impact of modern western medicine as a major reason for the decline and marginalization of the indigenous therapeutic wisdom is also examined. Despite the enormous challenges facing indigenous medicine, the study proposes the need for salvaging this valuable medical lore in a speedy, multi-faceted, calibrated, and extensive manner before it is irretrievably lost.

No. of Downloads :

11

Author(s) :

Andualam Kebede (with Getachew Endalamaw).

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Abstract :

This study aims to investigate the type and function of the Amharic directive speech act in conversation. It employed the descriptive method of qualitative research, using data from classroom lectures that were videotaped and converted to written or recorded data for a third-degree supplementary study of teaching Amharic. The study analyzed directive speech act utterances found in the documented data using the conversation analysis method. According to the research data, a total of 402 speech turns were taken by the interlocutors in the conversation. In these turns, 890 utterances were spoken, of which 348 (39.10%) were found to be the directive speech act. Six types of directive speech acts were found in the conversation: question, permission, command, invitation, suggestion, and warning. The functions of these directive speech acts are as follows: the question type (providing ideas, verifying, checking, remembering, predicting, and asking permitting); the permission type (allowing, giving opportunity, and continuing); the command type (commanding, continuing, forcing, terminating, and denying); the invitation type (inviting, pulling, and pushing); the suggestion type (alternatively recommending and pointing); and the warning type (warning, admonishing, and reprimanding).

No. of Downloads :

20

Author(s) :

Imad M. AlAtiqi.

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Abstract :

Ever since the land of Retenu appeared in the inscriptions of Egyptian monuments, it was readily assumed to denote Syria- Palestine. Over the subsequent decades, doubt has been cast on this toponymic designation, and attempts have been made to assign an alternative location. This paper addresses the difficulties surrounding such assignment and provides evidence pointing towards a location in the Yemen of south Arabia. The identified location is Wadi Adhanah basin which lies in the center of the country and is considered the largest water resource basin in the country. It was found that toponyms mentioned in the Egyptian monuments and records are identical to the ancient topographical locations in and around Wadi Adhanah. Furthermore, the recent advances in archaeology established a vivid bronze age culture in the Yemen which featured material culture and resources that copies what was recorded in the Egyptian and south Arabian records. The strategic location of the wadi Adhanah and Yemen in general across the Red Sea from Egypt, and its wealth of produce, made it an attractive economic supplier, who was often subjected to the campaigns of the kings of Egypt. Unlike southern Arabia, Syria-Palestine did not have natural and material resources mentioned in the Egyptian records that were obtained from Retenu.

No. of Downloads :

32

Author(s) :

YOHANNES GEBRESILLASSIE.

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Abstract :

The origin of Ethiopic numerical signs has been a subject of controversy and hot debate among scholars. No consensus is yet reached. Two groups are immediately noticeable: those who claim Greek origin and those ascribe Geᶜez numerical signs to Ethiopian origin. In this short essay, I will argue that the suggestion of those who claim a Greek origin is largely on a priori assumptions. These scholars base their interpretation solely on medieval paleographical traditions, because the two inscriptions bearing the earliest Geᶜez numerical signs were revealed to scholars relatively recently. RIÉth 218 from Anza (near the town of Hauzen, Eastern Tegray) and HS1 from Ḥǝnzat (not far from the small town of Edaga Arbi, Central Tegray) were discovered in 1939 and 2011 respectively. The inscription designated HS1 (Ḥǝnzat Stela 1) is important because it bears the oldest numerical ciphers which indicate the usage of symbols (figures) to represent numerals in Geᶜez (Ethiopic); in older inscriptions numbers were written in words. I will argue that Geᶜez numerical signs may have originated from non-vocalized Geᶜez alphabets and Geᶜez punctuation stroke.

No. of Downloads :

23

Author(s) :

Ebrahim Damtew.

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Abstract :

This study examines selected works on Islam, Muslim communities, and the Ethiopian state from early times to twentieth centuries. It is evident that Islam and Muslim communities have been an integral part of the Ethiopian societies since its introduction to the country, but it is one of the less studied thematic areas in the Ethiopian historiography. Although there is steadily increment of research on Islam, Muslim communities and Muslim spaces in Ethiopia, the historical lacuna is still apparent in studying and understanding Islam and Muslims in Ethiopian history and culture, especially in northwest provinces of the country such as Gondar. The study applies survey of the available sources on the topic under consideration. It examines both available primary and secondary sources. The examined sources show the significance of Islamic culture and its adherents in the Ethiopian state.

No. of Downloads :

13

Author(s) :

Assefa Balcha.

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Abstract :

The study makes an attempt to reconstruct the history of the most widely held socio-cultural and religious belief on spiritual entities known alternatively as Jinn, Ganen, Diablos, Saytan, and Aganent. These noxious spiritual beings were believed to be responsible for a range of human illnesses against which diverse kinds of indigenous preventive and therapeutic methods had been employed. Recording disease causations is an important step towards an understanding of the underlying beliefs and attitudes of a community along with its therapeutic preferences to maintain the physical and social wellbeing. The data gathered in this kind of study may well be used as an input for conventional medicine to comprehend and devise appropriate health education and intervention strategy. Making use of both primary and secondary sources the research will shed a ray of light on this existential and ingrained worldview.

No. of Downloads :

12