An historical-anthropological approach to Islam in Ethiopia: issues of identity and politics

TitleAn historical-anthropological approach to Islam in Ethiopia: issues of identity and politics
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1998
AuthorsG.J. Abbink
Secondary TitleJournal of African cultural studies
Volume11
Issue2
Pagination109 - 124
Date Published1998///
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Publication Languageeng
Keywords1991, Country, Ethiopia, history, identity, Islam, politics
Abstract

Despite its ancient history in Ethiopia, Islam has always been a secondary status religion in the country. It emerged in the shadow of Christianity and has often suffered from suppression and discrimination. This has had an impact on the social opportunities, religious and civil rights, and the pattern of self-organization of Ethiopian Muslims. During the last decade, new issues of religious identity and communal political identity among Muslims in Ethiopia have emerged in the wake of political and economic reform processes, and as a result of the process of cultural globalization. This article gives a historical overview of the emergence and development of Islam in Ethiopia, its position in the pre-1974 empire and its relationship with Christianity, and changes under the Mengistu regime (1974-1991), which actively discouraged religion in all its forms. Finally, it discusses developments since 1991, paying special attention to questions of identity and the 'ethnic' dimensions of Islam. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum

IR handle/ Full text URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1887/9486
Citation Key1882