Awra Amba RJ 300612 EN - Contacter un comité local d'Attac

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3. Values and principles
each other, destroying their environment and therefore acting in fundamental contradiction with rules
of their religion and of all religions. (Ya08/69).
The Awra Amba members, from various religious backgrounds, although the majority are of Muslim
origin, believe only in one creator of all things, like Muslims and Christians. If human beings believe
in the existence of one creator, they should call him only "creator" (Yi07/56). Humankind has been
therefore created from an initial couple (Yi07/50): so, the evolution of species is not recognized.
Therefore, the Awra Amba community does not follow any religion, and they believe in honesty and
love for all human beings. Zumra says: "God is everywhere around us and in us. There is no need to
shut him in a church or in a mosque. We don't give him a name, because that is the way to divide
humans. We don't believe in life after death, as we have no proof of that. We build our paradise in
this life, by working and showing solidarity to others." Timbwalel, the community guide, says: "we
have no Bible, but we put into practice the main principles we found in the holy books: no theory,
but practice" (Jo10b/5), expressed also by Zumra (Crespo, 2011): "we are practical, we need peace,
we build it. We need to help each other, we do."
Therefore, there is no religious rite, and practically no religious belief except the existence of one
creator. The fundamental values of all religions are nevertheless especially present and above all
implemented (Jo10b/5).
Moreover, Awra Amba is in favour of freedom of behaviour and thought for everyone, while in the
surrounding communities, each one has a rigid role defined by his community (Ya08/70). The
community members express their willingness to live with followers of other religions as long as
they accept behaviours other than their own (Yi07/57): it is very close to secularism. However, there
are no such followers in Awra Amba, because of their potential isolation according to Yi07/57.
As Awra Amba inhabitants perceive their culture as a religion, and for facilitating comparison with
surrounding communities, Yirga (2007/58) calls religion their culture. In our opinion, it is a
fundamental mistake (recognized anyway later by Yirga), because the Awra Amba culture does not
refer to supernatural forces, they try to influence by rites or behaviours. If they refer to a god creator,
it has no part in the welfare of present or future generations, of which they are alone responsible: the
future of humankind belongs only to men and women; therefore to recognize an original creator is
entirely of secondary importance.
Therefore, in our opinion, The Awra Amba community has a very rational behaviour, which makes
rationalism another main value of the community, although on the face of it they don't know the
word.
3.4.2. Work
According to a socioeconomic survey conducted in 2003 in the Amhara region, more than half of the
insufficient rainfall areas have at least 156 holidays and then non work days a year, i.e. 43 % non
work days (Ya08/73).
At the same time, we have seen some trades are ostracized; but more globally, craftsmen have
traditionally a lower status and are sometimes considered as sub-human. They are not slaves, but
they have fewer rights, intercourse with them is limited, they cannot enter houses except on special
occasion, food is served to them from leaves or broken vessels, even meeting commoners on the
roads they had to kneel and look the other way, etc. (Haberland, 1978/131). The Amhara society
depreciates therefore craftsmen and manual occupations, which is not in favour of diversification of
peasants towards craft activities (At05/49; Ya08/28). For instance, craftsmen producing cotton
clothes are despised (At05/73).
On the contrary, Awra Amba considers work as a moral value, even the most important one, "the
essence of life" as said by a community member (At05/48; Ya08/73). Work is an answer to poverty,
but it is first of all a means of accomplishment and to be involved in the community welfare, a