http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/index-2011-9.html
54 KOMMUNEN - Ohne Gott und ohne Fusel: Der Clash der Religionen ist einer der großen Konflikte unseres Jahrzehnts. Mitten in Afrika, im äthiopischen Dorf Awra Amba, herrscht Friede. Christen und Muslime haben dem Glauben abgeschworen, um zusammen glücklich zu werden - und es klappt. Von Uwe Buse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awra_Amba
The community is ostracized, as it does not belong to either of the two primary religious groupings -- Islam or Christianity. Members of the Awra Amba community therefore were not given agricultural land to cultivate, but instead were pushed into the most infertile and malaria infested corner of the district. As they cannot live on farm activities, they have diversified into the weaving business, using both traditional and modern weaving machines. In addition, using three grinding mills provided the Regional Micro and Small Scale Enterprise Development Agency, they offer milling service to neighbouring farmers. The village hopes to earn more money in order to build potable water and sewage systems, pave the road, and create an education fund for the children.[2]
The village is unique not only for its attitudes toward gender, religion, and education, but for the social security it provides its members in need. There are formal committees to provide services which include: education, to receive guests, to take care of patients, the elderly and children, and community health. They have established a literacy campaign for adults, a library, and a preschool. Despite living in a culture which practice early marriage, the people of Awra Amba have decided girls should not marry only after reaching the age of 18, and boys at or above 22.[1]
The village's success has made it a subject of numerous studies. "So many Christian and Muslim leaders from all over [Ethiopia's northern Amhara region] and some from outside have visited the village because it is very famous in its endeavor to eliminate poverty," says Mulgeta Wuletaw, a regional government administrator and member of parliament. Another supporter is Mohammed Mussa, a rural development consultant who prepared a case study on the village for the World Bank. "This is an extraordinary initiative within a traditional and conservative community," he says. "It's a good example for other Ethiopian communities – and even beyond Ethiopia – because of its gender equality, its work ethic, and its social security system."[3]
De vrouwen zijn flink ingezwachteld in de sluiers, en je ziet er haast geen. Sommige dingen klinken goed, maar je komt er niet goed achter wat het in de praktijk betekent. Het is wel duidelijk dat het een flink sektarische gemeenschap is, met een soort inwijdingsritueel en hersenspoeling van de jonge kinderen. Een soort verheerlijking van de eigen gemeenschap. Je hoort de mensen van die gemeenschap echter helemaal niet aan het woord, behalve dan één vrouw die een tamelijk obligaat en voorspelbaar verhaal vertelt. Ook heb ik het gevoel dat ik bijna alleen maar jongetjes zie spelen, hoewel het natuurlijk lastig is met die kleine kinderen om jongens en meisjes uit elkaar te houden.