Framing Ethiopia's Collective Memory by Rewriting Its History
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Tilburg University Reconstruction of Ethiopia's Collective Memory by Rewriting its History Nega Angore, T. Publication date: 2017 Document Version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Link to publication in Tilburg University Research Portal Citation for published version (APA): Nega Angore, T. (2017). Reconstruction of Ethiopia's Collective Memory by Rewriting its History: The Politics of Islam. (S.l. ed.). [s.n.]. 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Download date: 02. okt. 2021 Reconstructing Ethiopia's Collective Memory by Rewriting its History: The Politics of Islam PROEFSCHRIFT ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor aan Tilburg University op gezag van de rector magnificus, prof. dr. E.H.L. Aarts, in het openbaar te verdedigen ten overstaan van een door het college voor promoties aangewezen commissie in de Ruth First zaal van de Universiteit op maandag 4 december 2017 om 10.00 uur door Tekalign Nega Angore, geboren op 11 maart 1980 te Wolita Soddo, Ethiopië i Promotor: Prof. dr. H.L. Beck Copromotor: Dr. J. van der Aa Overige leden van de promotiecommissie: Prof. dr. G.J. Abbink Prof. dr. W.E.A. van Beek Prof. dr. J.M.E. Blommaert Prof. dr. D. Douwes © Tekalign Nega Angore, 2017 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without permission of the author. ii Acknowledgements Writing this thesis would have never been a joyful and successful enterprise without the support of several gracious people to whom I am indebted. Due to a lack of space, I cannot mention them all here. My first expression of sincere gratitude goes to my supervisors, Prof. Dr. H.L. Beck and Dr. J. Van Der Aa, who have patiently guided my thinking with their critical and innovative comments. I reserve special appreciation for my supervisor, prof. Dr. H.L. Beck, who has always been approachable and supportive. I greatly appreciate the freedom he granted me so that I could become an independent scholar. I am very fortunate to have worked with an academician with an analytical eye and constructive critiques. It is with his unfailing support that I produced a far better work than I could have otherwise hoped. My study would have never been possible without the financial aid of a project funded by Nuffic (NICHE/ETH/020). Special thanks also go to Dr. Bertha Vallejo, a researcher and project coordinator of Tilburg University, who has been sensitive to the personal needs of me and my fellow students. She has been a great help indeed in the successful completion of the program. I also thank NISIS (The Netherlands Interuniversity School for Islamic Studies) for providing me with very important intellectual forums through its autumn and spring schools. I owe a special debt of gratitude to my beloved family, who have persistently displayed encouragement and sacrificial love. I could not have asked for better support and encouragement. I also thank my friends Dr. Andrew DeCort and Nebiyou Alemu, whose friendship has made life more meaningful. I also thank Tehitina Mesfin, my wife. I cherish her care, wisdom and understanding throughout my study. iii Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................................................III ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................................................... VIII NOTES ON ARABIC AND AMHARIC TRANSLITERATION ........................................................................ XI CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 HISTORICAL RELATIONS: THE STATES AND THE RELIGIOUS .......................................................................... 3 1.2.1 Religion as a source of legitimacy ....................................................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Religion as an obstacle to socialist ideals ........................................................................................... 4 1.3 EPRDF’S RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND CONTENTIONS ..................................................................................... 5 1.4 RESEARCH GAPS ............................................................................................................................................ 7 1.4.1 Shortcomings of earlier studies (Pre-1990s) ....................................................................................... 7 1.4.2 Shortcomings of contemporary studies (post-1991) .......................................................................... 10 1.5 PROBLEM STATEMENT AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS .................................................................................... 13 1.6 ROADMAP .................................................................................................................................................... 18 CHAPTER TWO: THEORIES AND METHODS ............................................................................................... 21 2.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 21 2.2 RELIGIOUS POLICY ...................................................................................................................................... 21 2.3 INFORMAL INSTITUTIONS: UNWRITTEN RULES ............................................................................................ 22 2.4 SUPERDIVERSITY ......................................................................................................................................... 25 2.4.1 The “diversification of diversity” ...................................................................................................... 26 2.4.2 The primary conditions of superdiversity .......................................................................................... 27 2.5 COLLECTIVE MEMORY ................................................................................................................................ 29 2.5.1 The resurgence of collective memory ................................................................................................ 30 2.5.2 The past that never passed ................................................................................................................ 31 2.5.3 Collective memory, individual memory, and knowing ....................................................................... 31 2.5.4 Fundamental premises ...................................................................................................................... 32 2.6 THEORIES OF SOCIAL REMEMBERING .......................................................................................................... 33 2.6.1 Presentist approach: Inventions ........................................................................................................ 33 2.6.2 Popular level approach: Contest ....................................................................................................... 35 2.6.3 Dynamic memory approach: Negotiations ........................................................................................ 36 2.7 COLLECTIVE MEMORY, ACTIVISM, AND IDENTITY ...................................................................................... 36 2.8 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DESIGN .................................................................................................... 38 2.8.1 Research philosophy .......................................................................................................................... 38 2.8.2 Research field .................................................................................................................................... 40 2.8.3 Research subjects .............................................................................................................................. 43 2.8.4 Data collection procedures ............................................................................................................... 45 2.8.5 Formal and informal policies ............................................................................................................ 47 2.8.6 Online data sources ........................................................................................................................... 48 2.8.7 Conspiracy