THE INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIANITY ON THE GEDEO INDIGENOUS RITUAL PRACTICES, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract The main focus of this research is to explore “the influence of Christianity on the Gedeo indigenous ritual practices in southern Ethiopia." The research was limited to the three woreda of the Gedeo Zone and concentrated on their ritual customs. The study attempts to address the specific objectives of the nature and status of ritual practices, investigate the manner in which indigenous rituals are performed, the dynamics of ritual practices as a result of the influence of Christian teaching on ritual practices, and finally, the importance of social integration of indigenous ritual practices. Gedeo people have been performing various rituals like Facii'e, Cincca, Bitaa Bira, Gooloo, and Huluqqa prayers to Mageno for various reasons, such as asking for rain during the dry season, and asking Mageno for intervention to control epidemics and create long-term peace and stability. The researcher used an ethnographic study design and a qualitative research approach. In addition, the researcher used both primary sources, like observation, informal conversation, key informant interviews, and FGD, and secondary sources, like different thesis, books, etc. On the other hand, the researcher used non-probable procedures, specifically purposive sampling techniques. Theoretically, the study also used the theory of rituals as a conceptual framework. In this study, thirty-two (32) individual, knowledgeable Gada leaders, elders, and religious leaders chosen from the society sampled woreda. The findings of this study show that the rise and expansion of Christianity, including Orthodox, Protestantism, and Catholicism, and its followers were not desired to accept and support indigenous ritual practices of Gedeo. The researcher employed an ethnographic design and a qualitative research methodology. The study's findings demonstrate that the emergence and expansion of Christianity, including Orthodox, Protestantism, and Catholicism, and its followers did not want to embrace and encourage indigenous Gedeo ritual customs. The findings of this study revealed that indigenous rites such as Facii'e, Cincca, Bita bira, Gooloo, Huluqqa, and Gondooro were practiced in the study area. The study's findings, which are consistent with the dynamic of cultural practice under the influence of Christianity, show that modern religions are decrease against lost cultures and ways of life, while the study area is dealing with social issues such as conflict, instability, recurring drought, famine, disease, accidents, and property destruction.