BY MESERET BEHAILU
The Awramba community is a collective community which has different norms and values that differ from its surrounding communities. The community has a robust ethos related with work culture that never classifies women and men. That is there is no gender-based discrimination of work.
The first picture shows that women engage in weaving that requires undivided attention. In other parts of the country weaving is the responsibility of men but not in Awuramba community.
The second picture also shows that men too are engaged in the task of spinning just like their women counterparts. Handling spinning is the responsibility of women in the other parts of the country. This fact shows that working together regardless of absences of gender differences is the peculiar quality of Awuramba community.
In Awramba women and men get engaged equally in food preparation at home. They do the same in other farm practices. It means that no one is superior to others despite difference in economic status.
Community members get together to discuss one another, and share experiences as well as work and help each other. We learn that community members from different age groups sit in the shade of a big tree exhibiting different moods on their faces. In this respect, it can be learned that parallel to tackling tasks they could conduct discussions. Especially spinning goes with discussion.
From the picture one can see for oneself working together without gender discrimination makes one successful. The picture conjures up in mind the Amharic proverb “If threads join together, they could tie down a lion.”
The girl child who is seen studying is very happy. Simultaneously studying she could lend ears to the discussion, proverbs or humors from the elders. A woman at the backside of this girl seems ambitious to listen something from her, while the rest of them have engaged in their respective work.
On the other hand, away from Awramba there are people in the same nation stranger to working together that is indispensable for children and other community members.
This unique culture helps to convey the significance of tolerance, hard work, discussion and the like. It as well underlines helping and respecting one another are ingredients to achieve goals.
Not only gender but also age difference does not matter in Awramba community. It means that anyone could participate in the group without any discrimination. That allows them to enjoy life and work hard. Community members believe cordiality and considerateness and the like are the characteristic features of the community.
The art of weaving is not a recent phenomenon in the country. It was rather being practiced from the days of yore. However, most of the time weaving is the responsibility of men and spinning is the responsibility of women. But this is not true in Awramba community.
The Ethiopian herald December 23/2020
