ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY

Abstract

This study is designed to assess the Abret Sheikh Mawlid celebration founded by Seid Bushura. Abret Mawlids celebration has its own history back into a century old and attended by Tens of thousands of laities came from every corner of the country to take part of celebrations and believing that they are making their big pilgrimage. To conduct this study the researcher employed different data collection instruments. The data instruments are used from both primary and secondary data sources. The primary data collection techniques were key informant interview; participant observation and observation. In this study data was analyzed through qualitative method. The findings of the study described that there are various forms of Mawlid celebrations which are classified into three main categories; the first one is Megergbiya(the Tuesday weekly celebration), the second one is Hamus Eaga (the monthly celebration) and the big annual celebrations emerged and evolved through time in Abret and different rituals embedded in festivals. Among religious practices paying tribute for Abret Sheikh in singing religious song known as Menzuma, can powerfully tell about the intent and aspiration of the celebrations. Because of various stances in celebrations, there are two groups claiming on each sides should and shouldn’t not be celebrated and laid base f