Some aspect of a History of Religious Coexistence and Understanding in Gondar Province to 1991

Abstract

The objective of this study is to survey the history of coexistence and mutual understanding among the Christian- Muslim population of Gondar province, Ethiopia. The study employed qualitative method in collecting relevant historical sources. These sources could be categorized as primary and secondary. Finally, the collected sources transformed to evidence, crosschecked and triangulated for valid synthesis. Though not properly understood, yet not exhaustively studied and recorded, the history of Ethiopia is characterized by shared and overlapped identities. This was the result of continuous interaction and integration of in this case religious communities for a prolonged period in the past. Dynamic relations across religions lines have been facilitated through political, sociocultural and economic activities. Such interaction eventually assisted to create common values to govern the society without discrimination. The finding of this paper affirms the existence of various social and cultural values among the two major religious groups in the study area. The shared cultural and social institutions such as yätutlej, abä lij Mizénät,däbayet, mähaber, Equb, Idir and others enabled them to share their sorrows and happiness, together, as manifested in building churches and Mosques as well as celebrating holidays together. Hence, the study area has for long been developed such values that glued Muslims and Christians despite their religious difference. Mutual understanding among different religious groups is not something that happens overnight, but the result of prolonged interaction and integration. The study recommends that cultural practices have to be studied thoroughly and communicated to the concerned bodies to learn more so as to ensure mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and enduring interfaith harmony.