RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS IN THE TOWN OF DESSIE, A HISTORICAL SURVEY, 1886-1986

ABSTRACT In recent years considerable research has been conducted into various aspects of the urban history of Ethiopia. Consequently, much more is known about the history of hitherto overlooked urban centers of Ethiopia. Despite advances made in the literature, there still is lack of a comprehensive research in the history of the evolution and growth of religion and religious institutions in urban Ethiopia, hence my interest in this research project. This thesis which focuses on the century old history of Religion and Religious Institutions in the Town of Dessie aimed at filling the glaring gap in the religious of urban historiography of Ethiopia through a critical historical analysis of such questions as when did the various Christian churches come to Dessie? How was Islam introduced to the Dessie area? What were the factors that played decisive roles in the evolution and expansion of religious Islam institutions in town of Dessie? How did the Christian and Islamic institutions in the educational life of the community of the area under study? So as to answer these basic research Question data obtained from various sours were systematically analyzed and interpreted.