CHANGE AND CONTINUITY IN THE TRADITIONAL SPIRIT (UGUMET) AMONG THE MAJANG PEOPLE IN GAMBELLA REGIN

Abstract

The core objective of this study is to explore the role of indigenous governance in promoting traditional Spirit and Spirit in the Majang Communities, Ethiopia. Conferring to the objectives, the study followed a qualitative research method and used a case study research design. Data were collected through FGD and key informant interviews. An empirical thematic analysis technique was used to analyse data. The study found that the Majang communities have their own unique traditional belief and religious system which is categorized in their structure and comprises the Tapadh, Waledye, Regnawu, Gney and Odi. Indigenous governance has various roles in promoting the religious and belief system; take initiative to establish an administration system that incorporates the traditional system with the formal one, and allowing indigenous communities to freely exercise and practice their traditional belief and religious principles. Now a day this traditional belief and religious system are not frequently practiced by the communities of Majang due to different threats; the regime change in Ethiopia from an Monarchical government to a military dictatorship, the expansion of western Spirit especially protestant Spirit , expansion of globalization and civilization and inadequacy to documenting the traditional Spirit and religious practice system by the concerned bodies. However this traditional belief and the religious system have solidly accepted by the community so far, it lacks emphasis from the indigenous government and it is not lawfully acknowledged today. Due to the intimidation, the traditional Spirit and religious system of Majang are under question mark or it is an endemic because most of the areas except some part of Gambella regional state residents of Majang communities are failed to practice it.