The Distribution and Use of Cattle Products in Northern Highland Ethiopia
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THE DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF CATTLE PRODUCTS IN NORTHERN HIGHLAND ETHIOPIA Nicholas Weber B.A., Simon Fraser University, 2001 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS In the Department of Archaeology O Nicholas Weber 2005 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Spring 2005 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. APPROVAL Name: Nicholas Weber Degree: Master of Arts Title of Thesis: The Distribution and Use of Cattle Products in Northern Highland Ethiopia Examining Committee: Chair: Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn Assistant Professor Dr. A.C. DyAndreayAssociate Professor Senior Supervisor Dr. J.C. Driver Professor Dr. D. Lyons, Assistant Professor, Archaeology, University of Calgary Dr. D.L. Pokotylo, Examiner Assistant Professor Anthropology and Head of Department, U.B.C. Date Approved: April 11,2005 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENCE The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. The author has further granted permission to Simon Fraser University to keep or make a digital copy for use in its circulating collection. The author has further agreed that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by either the author or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this work for financial gain shall not be allowed without the author's written permission. \ Permission for public performance, or limited permission for private scholarly use, of any multimedia materials forming part of this work, may have been granted by the author. This information may be found on the separately catalogued multimedia material and in the signed Partial Copyright Licence. The original Partial Copyright Licence attesting to these terms, and signed by this author, may be found in the original bound copy of this work, retained in the Simon Fraser University Archive. W. A. C. Bennett Library Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada Simon Fraser University Ethics Approval The author, whose name appears on the title page of this work, has obtained human research ethics approval from the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics for the research described in this work, or has conducted the research as a member of a project or course approved by the Ethics Office. A copy of the approval letter has been filed at the Theses Office of the University Library at the time of submission of this thesis or project. The original application for ethics approval and letter of approval is filed with the Office of Research Ethics. Inquiries may be directed to that Office. Bennett Library Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada ABSTRACT This study is an ethnoarchaeological investigation of the distribution and use of cattle and animal products in the northern highlands of Ethiopia. Ethnoarchaeological methods are utilized to explore many aspects of the role of cattle in highland Ethiopian society at four villages in the Tigrayan administrative region of Gulo-Makeda, in an attempt to provide models to aid the interpretation of the archaeological record in that area. Structured interviews are used to address questions of the ways in which cattle are acquired, exchanged and used in daily agricultural life, the occasion and frequency with which meat is consumed, the manner of slaughter and discard practices. The examination of spatial patterning and site-formation processes associated with the use of cattle is addressed by the observation of two butchering events, as well as a survey of discarded animal bone throughout the village of Mena Beyti. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my appreciation to my committee, without whom this thesis would never have been: Dr. Cathy D'Andrea and Dr. Jon Driver of the Department of Archaeology at Simon Fraser University; and Dr. Diane Lyons of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Calgary. Special thanks to Professors D'Andrea and Lyons for the opportunity to work with them in Ethiopia, as mentors in ethnoarchaeology, the archaeology of sub-Saharan Africa and Ethiopian culture, and for their unending patience and professionalism in the field and in the office. Additional thanks also to Dr. Driver, who provided crucial guidance and valuable insight for sections concerning the analysis of faunal remains. Thanks also to my Ethiopian friend and interpreter Berhanou, who accompanied me throughout my time in Gulo-Makeda, allowed me to communicate with my informants, and protected me from dangerous dogs, dangerous chickens and other flying objects. I will always appreciate and never forget the hospitality of all my informants, who gave what they didn't have in time and food, and constantly invited me in for some sua. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in the highlands. Finally, I cannot forget my parents and my wife Sarah, whose love and support continue to help me reach my goals. TABLE OF CONTENTS .. Approval ........................................................................................................................ 11 ... Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 111 Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... iv Table Of Contents .........................................................................................................v List Of Figures .............................................................................................................. ix List Of Tables ................................................................................................................x Chapter I: Background................................................................................................. 1 1. 0 Introduction ............................................................................................................1 1.1 The Importance of Domestic Cattle in Ethiopia: Past and Present ......................... 2 1.1.1 The Origins of Domesticated Cattle: Zooarchaeological and Archaeological Evidence .......................................................................................................... 3 1. 1.2 Rock Art Depictions .............................................................................................5 1.1.3 The Aksumite Empire .......................................................................................... 6 1.1.4 Gulo-Makeda and Highland Rural Subsistence Economies .................................9 1.1.5 Archaeological Background and Evidence of the lmportance of Cattle in Aksumite Society ............................................................................................11 1.7.6 Ethnographic Evidence of the Importance of Cattle ...........................................14 1.2 Ethnoarchaeology and Zooarchaeology in Ethiopia ............................................. 16 1.2.1 Ethnoarchaeology in Ethiopia ............................................................................19 1.2.2 Previous Research Involving Animal Product Distribution ................................. 19 1.2.3 Zooarchaeological Studies ................................................................................ 20 1.3 Chapter Summary ................................................................................................21 Chapter 2: Methodology .............................................................................................23 2.0 Introduction ..........................................................................................................23 2.1 Geographical and Political Context of the Study ................................................... 23 2.2 Historical Context of Study ....................................................................................25 2.3 Fieldwork Objectives ............................................................................................26 2.3.1 The Distribution System of Cattle and Cattle Products ......................................27 2.3.2 Spatial Patterning and Site-formation Processes ..............................................28 2.3.3 Zooarchaeological Survey and Analysis ............................................................29 2.3.4 Models ..............................................................................................................30 2.4 Chapter Summary ................................................................................................30 Chapter 3: Livestock Possession. Use and Distribution Throughout The Region Of Gulo-Makeda .....................................................................................................32 3.0 Introduction ..........................................................................................................32 3.1 Domestic Animals in Gulo-Makeda ......................................................................32 3.1.1 Cattle ................................................................................................................32 3.1.2 Cows .................................................................................................................35