To catch a feastgiver: Redistribution among the Dorze of Ethiopia

Abstract

Opening ParagraphThe purpose of this paper is to examine in detail a mode of economic integration, redistribution, and its relationship to political power. The redistributive institution studied here involves assumption of the title halak'a by a male citizen. ‘We catch the halak'a!' say the Dorze (halak'a aikos), implying by their choice of verb that candidates show some reluctance to disburse their economic resources upon feasts and fees. During the ceremonies which create a titled incumbent from an initiate, large amounts of goods, services, and money are collected by the halak'a and used in lavish feasting. Pooling of resources and their subsequent reallocation mark as redistributive this prominent institution of Dorze public life.

Affordances of Rupture and their Enactment: A Framework for Understanding Christian Change

“…Up until this point most people's lives were organised according to the traditional Gamo culture. At the centre of this culture were the halak'a initiations, essentially a form of 'redistributive feasting' whereby men sought to amass surplus wealth in order to take prestigious titles by sponsoring huge feasts feeding the whole community (Freeman 2002a;Halperin and Olmstead 1976). Through these halak'a initiations, wealth was circulated and redistributed in specific ways throughout the community to ensure that fertility, wellbeing and ongoing wealth was bestowed by the spirits.…”

Affordances of Rupture and their Enactment: A Framework for Understanding Christian Change

“…Up until this point most people's lives were organised according to the traditional Gamo culture. At the centre of this culture were the halak'a initiations, essentially a form of 'redistributive feasting' whereby men sought to amass surplus wealth in order to take prestigious titles by sponsoring huge feasts feeding the whole community (Freeman 2002a;Halperin and Olmstead 1976). Through these halak'a initiations, wealth was circulated and redistributed in specific ways throughout the community to ensure that fertility, wellbeing and ongoing wealth was bestowed by the spirits.…”

An Ethnoarchaeological Study of Hafting and Stone Tool Diversity among the Gamo of Ethiopia

“…As such, they do not participate in community assemblies or hold any of the hereditary political-ritual positions such as Kao (represents the entire political district) Maka (represents clusters of subdistricts), or Ekas (represents subdistricts), or the elected positions of Dana (represents entire political district), Uduga (represents subdistricts), and Halaka (represents village) (Abélès, 1978;Cartledge, 1995, pp. 81-98;Halperin and Olmstead, 1976). Thus, the system as a whole appears to be focused on the decisions and leadership of the mala, who intertwine the decisions of hereditary and democratically elected officials (Sperber, 1972).…”

Brewing beer: status, wealth and ceramic use alteration among the Gamo of south-western Ethiopia

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Affordances of Rupture and their Enactment: A Framework for Understanding Christian Change

“…Up until this point most people's lives were organised according to the traditional Gamo culture. At the centre of this culture were the halak'a initiations, essentially a form of 'redistributive feasting' whereby men sought to amass surplus wealth in order to take prestigious titles by sponsoring huge feasts feeding the whole community (Freeman 2002a;Halperin and Olmstead 1976). Through these halak'a initiations, wealth was circulated and redistributed in specific ways throughout the community to ensure that fertility, wellbeing and ongoing wealth was bestowed by the spirits.…”

An Ethnoarchaeological Study of Hafting and Stone Tool Diversity among the Gamo of Ethiopia

“…As such, they do not participate in community assemblies or hold any of the hereditary political-ritual positions such as Kao (represents the entire political district) Maka (represents clusters of subdistricts), or Ekas (represents subdistricts), or the elected positions of Dana (represents entire political district), Uduga (represents subdistricts), and Halaka (represents village) (Abélès, 1978;Cartledge, 1995, pp. 81-98;Halperin and Olmstead, 1976). Thus, the system as a whole appears to be focused on the decisions and leadership of the mala, who intertwine the decisions of hereditary and democratically elected officials (Sperber, 1972).…”

Brewing beer: status, wealth and ceramic use alteration among the Gamo of south-western Ethiopia

“……”

“……”

Affordances of Rupture and their Enactment: A Framework for Understanding Christian Change

“…Up until this point most people's lives were organised according to the traditional Gamo culture. At the centre of this culture were the halak'a initiations, essentially a form of 'redistributive feasting' whereby men sought to amass surplus wealth in order to take prestigious titles by sponsoring huge feasts feeding the whole community (Freeman 2002a;Halperin and Olmstead 1976). Through these halak'a initiations, wealth was circulated and redistributed in specific ways throughout the community to ensure that fertility, wellbeing and ongoing wealth was bestowed by the spirits.…”

An Ethnoarchaeological Study of Hafting and Stone Tool Diversity among the Gamo of Ethiopia

“…As such, they do not participate in community assemblies or hold any of the hereditary political-ritual positions such as Kao (represents the entire political district) Maka (represents clusters of subdistricts), or Ekas (represents subdistricts), or the elected positions of Dana (represents entire political district), Uduga (represents subdistricts), and Halaka (represents village) (Abélès, 1978;Cartledge, 1995, pp. 81-98;Halperin and Olmstead, 1976). Thus, the system as a whole appears to be focused on the decisions and leadership of the mala, who intertwine the decisions of hereditary and democratically elected officials (Sperber, 1972).…”

Brewing beer: status, wealth and ceramic use alteration among the Gamo of south-western Ethiopia

“……”

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