An Anthropological Study of the Uneasy Complicity of Humans and Spotted Hyenas in the Orthodox Ethiopian Context of Tigray

Table of Content

1. Introduction

1.1 Research question

1.2 Methodology

1.3 Study sites

1.3.1 Enderta: in and around Mekelle

1.3.2 Kilte-Awlaelo: Awaleo

1.4 Structure of the thesis

2. The spotted hyena in Tigray: conservation and persistence

2.1 Symbiotic cohabitation

2.2 Conflictive coexistence

2.3 Preventive measures and protection

2.4 Ambiguity and ambivalence

2.5 Both predator and scavenger

2.6 Symbolic boundaries

2.7 Beyond the nature-culture dichotomy

2.8 Discussions between conservationists and anthropologists

3. Perception and folk stories of the spotted hyena

3.1 The spotted hyena as a dangerous animal

3.2 The spotted hyena as a powerful animal

3.3 The spotted hyena as a fast animal

3.4 The spotted hyena as a wicked animal

3.5 The spotted hyena as a greedy animal

3.6 The spotted hyena as a cursed animal

3.7 The spotted hyena as a fearful animal

3.8 The spotted hyena, revelation and omen messages

3.9 The spotted hyena as a wise animal

3.10 The male and the female spotted hyena

4. The Ethiopian Orthodox context and perspectives on nature

4.1 The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

4.2 The role of the EOTC in the conservation of church forests

4.3 Ethiopian Orthodoxy shaping landscapes in Tigray

4.4 Sacredness: closedness and secrecy

4.5 Valuing wildlife

4.6 Spotted hyenas consumed as tourist attraction in Harar

5. The spotted hyena’s relation with evil spirits

5.1 The Ethiopian evil eye belief: buda

5.2 Discourses on disease causation and explanations of misfortune

5.3 The roles of a debtera: a controversial figure

5.4 Different lines of treatment against buda

5.5 Different kinds of buda

5.6 The Beta Israel as buda

5.7 Buda and social relations: exclusion

6. Conclusion

Research Objective & Themes

This thesis examines the human-spotted hyena interaction in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia, specifically investigating how locals perceive and live alongside this carnivore. The primary research goal is to understand the "uneasy complicity" between humans and hyenas, exploring whether their relationship is strictly conflict-driven or contains elements of symbiosis, while also analyzing the cultural and religious dimensions of this coexistence.

• Anthropological study of human-wildlife cohabitation in Ethiopia.
• Symbolic perceptions, folk narratives, and local attitudes toward the spotted hyena.
• The influence of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church on biodiversity and conservation.
• The intersection of cultural beliefs (buda/evil eye), disease causation, and social exclusion.
• The role of traditional healers (debteras) and the commodification of wildlife.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: Presents the research framework, methodology, and study sites while contextualizing human-animal interactions within social and cultural anthropology.

2. The spotted hyena in Tigray: conservation and persistence: Explores the symbiotic yet conflictive relationship, the scavenger-predator duality, and the symbolic boundaries between human spaces and the wild.

3. Perception and folk stories of the spotted hyena: Details ten behavioral characteristics attributed to hyenas, incorporating local folk tales and perceptions of the animal as dangerous, greedy, or wise.

4. The Ethiopian Orthodox context and perspectives on nature: Analyzes how the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church contributes to biodiversity through the protection of "sacred" church forests and shifting perspectives on wildlife conservation.

5. The spotted hyena’s relation with evil spirits: Investigates the complex belief in buda (evil eye), its association with the spotted hyena, the role of traditional healers, and the social dynamics of exclusion.

6. Conclusion: Summarizes the study's findings regarding the uneasy coexistence, highlighting how religious, social, and ecological factors converge in the Ethiopian context.

Keywords

Anthropology, Spotted Hyena, Ethiopia, Tigray, Coexistence, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Buda, Evil Eye, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Conservation, Biodiversity, Debtera, Folklore, Scavenger, Predator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core subject of this thesis?

The thesis explores the interaction, coexistence, and symbolic relationship between humans and spotted hyenas in northern Ethiopia, particularly within the Tigray Region.

What are the primary themes discussed in the work?

Central themes include human-carnivore conflict, the role of religion in nature conservation, the influence of local folk stories on perception, and the intersection of cultural beliefs with wildlife behavior.

What is the research goal of this paper?

The goal is to provide a holistic understanding of how humans and hyenas share a landscape, characterizing this relationship as an "uneasy complicity" rooted in both practical coexistence and cultural construction.

Which scientific methodology is applied?

The research uses qualitative anthropological methods, including extensive ethnographic fieldwork, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews with locals, priests, and traditional healers.

What does the main body address?

It covers local perceptions of hyenas (as dangerous, greedy, or wise), the protective role of the church, the belief in buda (the evil eye) and its connection to the animal, and the transition from traditional to modern health and healing practices.

How would you summarize the key terminology used?

Key terms include buda (evil eye), debtera (traditional healers), tabia (village administration), kiremti (rainy season), and zibb’i (the Tigrinya word for hyena).

How is the relationship between hyenas and the "evil eye" defined?

Locals often associate the spotted hyena with the concept of buda; the animal is viewed as a cursed or "evil" creature capable of being manipulated by malevolent spirits or individuals to cause misfortune.

What role do the Ethiopian Orthodox church forests play?

These forests act as "sacred islands" of biodiversity that provide essential habitats for hyenas and other wildlife, demonstrating how religious traditional conservation can preserve nature in degraded landscapes.

How is the figure of the debtera described?

The debtera is an unordained religious figure who possesses both official liturgical knowledge and unofficial traditional medical skills, making them a controversial but crucial intermediary in treating victims of buda.

Does the thesis address the economic aspect of wildlife?

Yes, it explores the commodification of wildlife through tourism (e.g., the Harar hyena feeding spectacle) and discusses the tension between local subsistence needs and broader economic perspectives on nature.