Background of the Program

In Africa the diverse and rich cultural traditions of indigenous people have attracted people with varied interests at different times to experience and explore African treasures. The continent happened to be a big motivation for many scientists, ethnographers, anthropologists who have carried research on topics of their interests and contributed their best to the scientific world.

Ethiopia is an ancient country in Africa, which is often identified as the cradle of mankind. It occupies a central position in the Horn of Africa-having shared border with over six nations of the region, perhaps the only country in the region being home of an ethno-linguistic groups who also inhabit these six neighboring countries- Borana-Oromo (Ethio-Kenya) Berta (Ethio-Sudan); Nure (Ethio-south-Suda); Afar (Ethio-Eritrea-Djibouti); Somali (Ethio-Somali; Ethio-Kenya; Ethio-Djibouti). It is the dominant demographic force in the region-being the second most populous country in Africa; and the only country where the three major language families are spoken: Afro-Asiatic; Omotic and Nilotic.

Ethiopia is also a country of geographical contrast with vast fertile land in the west, different types of forest lands, numerous rivers and the world’s hottest settlement Dallol located in the Afar Region in Northeast. Ethiopian highlands are large and continuous mountain ranges in Africa.  The magnificent historical and archeological heritages like Axum, Lalibela, and the Castles of Gondar have contributed greatly to the development of mighty cultural heritage of Ethiopia. The earliest known human fossil- Lucy, and the discovery of coffee is the gifts of Ethiopia to the world.

The Amhara National Regional State is located in the Northwestern and North central part of Ethiopia.  Having its capital at Bahir Dar, theAmhara Regional State shares common borders with Tigray Region in the North, Afar in the East, Oromiya in the South, Benishangul/Gumuz in the South west, and The Republic of Sudan in the west. It houses Ethiopia’s largest inland water body- LakeTana, the source of Blue Nile River. Its highlands receive about 80% of the total rain fall of the country. The good rainfall and fertile land have a major contribution to the agricultural and animal husbandry of the country. It has about 40% of total livestock population of the country. The Semien Mountains recognized by UNESCO as the world heritage sites for its biodiversity reserves, are also located in this Regional State.

Amhara region in general and Bahir Dar city in particular, is said to be the source of wisdom of herbal medicine of Ethiopia. The favorable climatic condition has helped grow both domesticated and wild plants of great healing potential. In earlier days, many saints in Bahir Dar have great names in healing the ailments of people by using native plant medicines. The students from other regions of Ethiopia were attracted to come here to learn healing skills of renowned teachers. Some of their knowledge are written in Geez and still saved in churches away from the sights of general public. There are a number of ethnic groups residing in the region. Although mostly the people are agriculturists but cottage industries for manufacture of traditional garments, leather products are also seen. Lake Tana has become a good tourist attraction and promoted to the growth of tourism and hotel industries. The people are engaged in multiple economic interests in the area.

The M.A. Program in Social Anthropology was initially started in Addis Ababa University in 1990. Subsequently other universities like Gondar, Bahir Dar, Mekelle, and Hawassa have opened their masters program in Social Anthropology and produced a good number of young anthropologists. These anthropologists are working in governmental and non-governmental organizations in different capacities in Ethiopia and abroad. Since Ethiopia has seen many new universities in the past decades, the opening of the new M.A. program in Social Anthropology cannot be ruled out in the future. But the lack of adequate trained personnel continues to be a big challenge in the opening of a new program both in old and new universities.

The Department of Social Anthropology of Bahir Dar University was established in 2009 and started the Under Graduate program in the same year. The program has successfully completed nine years and produced a good number of young graduates in Social Anthropology. The Masters Program in Social Anthropology came into being in the year 2016 and sustaining well with good number of students joining the program.

Rationale/Justifications of the Program

The government of Ethiopia has been taking keen interest in having well-trained and skilled researchers. In the process, new universities have been coming up in the recent past. These new universities, quite likely, face challenges in shortage of well qualified researchers and academic staffs. Hence, Bahir Dar University can lessen the emerging challenges by producing some trainers through a Doctoral Degree in Social Anthropology.

The only university to open a PhD program in Social Anthropology is Addis Ababa. Since the country has produced a substantial number of master’s students, who are working in different universities, the lone university may face challenges to accommodate the higher academic interest of the scholars within an acceptable period. Some scholars are also switching to other disciplines for PhD Degree although they have master’s degree in Social Anthropology. Hence, the PhD program in Social anthropology at Bahir Dar University can ease the stress.

Ethiopia houses a number of ethnic groups having wide variety of cultural tradition. These ethnic groups were mainly studied by foreign anthropologists. But native anthropologists can understand the society much better than foreigners so that they can help in analyzing and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the country.

The contribution of anthropologists in country’s development of indigenous people is gradually realized. The proper understanding of native culture can provide a meaningful ground to frame and implement development plans appropriate to the specific culture, so that barriers in development programs can be minimized.

There is also high societal demand for PhD programs in Ethiopia. As stipulated in the Growth and Transformation Plan II of the country, 40% of the instructors in the universities should be PhD holders at the end of the year 2020. However, only 12% of the aspired capacity level has been achieved so far. This means that higher education institutions should work hard to attain the required percentage of PhD holders. Expansion of higher education institutions in the country and the consequent demand for terminal degree holders capable of teaching, training and doing research also justifies the launching of more PhD programs in diverse areas of study.

A good number of universities in Ethiopia have opened masters’ program in Social Anthropology in the recent past. They have produced sizable number of Social Anthropologists with master’s degree, which would be useful for the sustenance of the program.

The Department has conducted a survey to assess the needs of opening PhD program. The participants from various sectors like academicians from universities, staff members from different offices of government and non-government organizations, former master students of various universities were included in the group. Their responses were analyzed that helped to develop the papers of curriculum, thematic areas of PhD program. The majority of participants opined in favor of opening PhD program in social Anthropology.

In a nutshell, the needs assessment carried out in various universities and governmental and non-governmental organizations shows an increased interest in employing PhD graduates of Social Anthropology. 

Hence, this PhD program will help students in furthering their academic interest so that they will be capable of independently handling anthropological research

List of Courses

 7. Course Breakdown and Mode of Delivery