THEMES IN THIS TESTIMONY
History  
Land  
Social Institutions  
Spiritual Beliefs  
Traditional Skills  

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Belachew

(ETHIOPIA 18)

Sex

male

Age

68

Occupation

farmer and blacksmith

Location

Geregera (midlands)

Date

E

summary

detailed breakdown

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Section 1  Land redistribution: “It is better now if you want land. No one says ‘so and so was not born here or is a Muslim’ and denies you land.” Changes in market conditions.
Section 2  Qire (traditional funeral association). Personal history – life in Gojam and details of his own and his children’s marriages. Education of his children. Trend towards marrying off daughters too young.
Section 3  Farming practices in Gojam – farmers use fertiliser and get better yields. Health situation and population growth seen as related – people should use birth control provided by government. Peace and safety: in the days of Haile Sellassie “a merchant travelled through the wild land, passed the night under the light of the moon, and came back safely after completing his business.”
Section 3-4  Blacksmiths/artisans – once prosperous before “ignorant people tarnished our names by saying that we ate people”; responsible for building the churches and houses, yet people are hostile to them. Handicap of not being educated.