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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Muslim monasteries? Some aspects of religious culture in northern Ethiopia |
Author: | Abbink, Jon |
Year: | 2008 |
Periodical: | Aethiopica: International Journal of Ethiopian Studies |
Volume: | 11 |
Pages: | 117-133 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Ethiopia |
Subjects: | shrines Sufism |
External link: | https://journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de/aethiopica/article/view/151/124 |
Abstract: | This paper presents some preliminary observations on Sufi Muslim shrines or retreats in the Wällo region of Ethiopia. These shrines are places where local Muslim holy men or 'saints' lead the faithful and act as religious mediators and advisors. Some of these Sufi Muslim retreats have a 'monastic' character, and allow males and females a life of reflection and devotion to God. An obvious parallel with Christian monasteries presents itself, referring to a partly shared religious culture. The author reflects on the extent and nature of this similarity. He underlines the need for a fresh approach to the study of religion in Ethiopia and Africa, in the context of contemporary debates about religious identity and the hardening of communal boundaries. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract] |