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Challenges in Ethiopia


Jim Ellison, associate professor of anthropology, outlined Ethiopia’s shifting social, economic and political landscape Feb. 2 in a thought-provoking FaculTea lecture. Held in the Biblio Café, the lecture shed light on social inequalities that persist after Ethiopia's liberalization in 1991, when the country's socialist government was overthrown.

Ellison noted that while southern Ethiopian minorities have managed to improve their situation during the past two decades, underlying tensions still exist and are occasionally acted out. “The hostilities are expressed in new forms, and in different ways,” he explained. “It’s similar to what we see happening in Egyptian society right now, in that there are deep, longstanding contextual relationships [at play] that we may not recognize [at first glance].” [Story continues below.] 


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  • Jim Ellison, associate professor of anthropology, discusses his research on Ethiopia's political and economic liberalization.
    Jim Ellison
  • Students, including Giovania Tiarachristie '13 (front) and Lawrence Chiatti '13 (back, center), listen attentively to the lecture. “The students asked good questions about gender relations, people’s interactions with the environment and a host of other issues,” said Ellison. 
    Giovania Tiarachristie '13
  • Approximately 35 students, faculty and community members attended the lecture, despite frightful winter weather that had deposited snow and ice across the region.
    Excellent Turnout
  • Peter Sak, associate professor of earth sciences (foreground), looks on as an audience member poses a question about one man's seemingly contradictory experiences in Ethiopia.
    Complex Issues
  • Bradley Roller '14, an anthropology major, listens thoughtfully as fellow anthropology major Katherine Offutt ’12 looks on. Offutt later posed a question about social mobility in Ethiopia.
    Bradley Roller '14
  • Priscilla Colon '13, a sociology major, considers the issue.
    Priscilla Colon '13
  • Remo Chiatti (left), who once lived in Ethiopia, traveled from Blue Bell, Pa., to attend the lecture. His son, archeology major Lawrence Chiatti '13, e-mailed him about the event.
    Worth the Trip
Jim Ellison, associate professor of anthropology, discusses his research on Ethiopia's political and economic liberalization.Prev ImageNext Image

Ellison, whose work focuses on colonialism, socialism and neoliberalism in Ethiopia and Tanzania, traveled to Ethiopia several times to research this phenomenon. In July, he will take anthropology students on a six-week trip to Tanzania, where, with the help of peer translators, they will research nutrition and health challenges faced by East African peoples. 

He said he was gratified by the response to his lecture, which attracted 30-40 audience members despite dreadful winter weather. This included Remo Chiatti, father of Lawrence '13, who had lived for a time in southern Ethiopia and traveled two hours to attend the event.

“I'll be sending him some of my papers,” Ellison said.

By MaryAlice Bitts Jackson
Photos by Carl Socolow '77