METAPHORS OF PEACE AND VIOLENCE IN THE FOLKLORE DISCOURSES OF SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA: A COMPARATIVE

Transcription

1 VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT METAPHORS OF PEACE AND VIOLENCE IN THE FOLKLORE DISCOURSES OF SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY ACADEMISCH PROEFSCHRIFT ter verkrijging van de graad Doctor aan de Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, op gezag van de rector magnificus prof.dr. L.M. Bouter, in het openbaar te verdedigen ten overstaan van de promotiecommissie van de faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen op maandag 14 december 2009 om uur in de aula van de universiteit, De Boelelaan 1105 door Bayleyegn Tasew geboren te Gondar, Ethiopië

2 promotor: copromotor: prof.dr. G.J. Abbink prof.dr. A.M. Ahmed

3 Contents Acknowledgements Abbreviations and acronyms Glossary List of maps List of plates viii xi xii xvi xvi Part One Introduction and Theoretical Background Chapter 1 Introduction Background Scholarly significance Description of the project Research questions Objectives Methods Field methods and experiences 12 Chapter 2 Theoretical orientation: mimesis, narrative, symbol and metaphor Mimesis Narrative Symbols Metaphor as a fundamental to our conceptual system Types, forms and domains of metaphor Essentials of metaphor: analogy, comparison, resemblance and context Principles of interpreting metaphor: a cognitive perspective Concluding remarks 49 Part Two The Empirical Context: Histories, Societies and Group Relations 52 Chapter 3 Ethnonyms, economic bases, and pre-existing conflicts The groups Ethnonyms 59

4 3.3 Economic basis Cultural profiles Pre-existing intra and inter-group conflicts Inter-group contact, expansion and conflict Internal conflict and ways of settlement Concluding remarks 87 Chapter 4 State ethnic group relations in the Ethiopian Southwest: a history State-group relations in the Ethiopian imperial era (1890s-1974) State-local relations in the era of the Derg ( ) State violence against local cultures The impact of Ethio Sudanese tit-for-tat policies The EPRDF regime: a new political order and its local effects The Anyuaa massacre of 2003 and other recent developments in the region Concluding remarks 131 Part Three - Oral Tradition: Performance Context and Metaphors of Conflict and Peace in the Oral Traditions of the Ethiopian Southwest 136 Chapter 5 Oral cultures in the Ethiopian Southwest: a performance perspective Introduction: conceptual and theoretical aspects Occasions of performance Local genres and their dynamics Functions and themes Norms, formulae and styles of performance Concluding remarks 170 Chapter 6 Origins and the foundations of social order: cosmogonic elements in the oral traditions of Anyuaa, Majangir, Nuer and Suri Introduction The myth of Tumu: the Sky God (Suri) Lér the Savior (Majangir) The J w ok stories (Anyuaa): the imperfect creator 188

5 6.5 The Nuer myth of K w oth The Nuer myth of Kiir Concluding remark 203 Part Four - Metaphoric representation of peace and violence among Anyuaa, Majangir, Nuer and Suri: models and behavioural templates in oral tradition 205 Chapter 7 The metaphoric representation of peace and conflict among Anyuaa, Majangir, Nuer and Suri: models and behavioural templates in oral tradition 7.1 Symbolic references to peace and conflict and their mythical basis Nuer Anyuaa Majangir Suri Ritual practice as translation of peace and conflict management ideals: the Anyuaa agém and the Suri sagine The Anyuaa agém The Suri sagine Concluding remarks 231 Chapter 8 Model narratives of internal peace and conflict: a comparative perspective Sample narratives of internal conflict and violence A Suri narrative: Buga and Kiyo A Majangir narrative: Lér and tapa d Samuqa An Anyuaa narrative: Léro waac mar Nyieyi - the story of kings Wiiw: the Nuer narrative on peace-making Analytical commentary Concluding remarks 259 Chapter 9 Narratives of inter ethnic conflict Introduction The Suri Anyuaa and Nuer Anyuaa views on Nuer expansion 274

6 9.5 The Majangir view Concluding remarks 291 Chapter 10 Metaphors of state periphery relations Introduction The Nuer The Anyuaa The Majangir The Suri Concluding remarks 328 Part Five Chapter 11 Concluding overview The approach and assumptions Reflections on the findings A final word 342 List of references 343 Appendix: Some recommendations 359 Samenvatting 362 Curriculum Vitae 370