Ethiopian Journals Online (EJOL)
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Water-Based folk weather forecasting knowledge of the Negede community
Full text linkThe main objective of this study is to explore the Negede community’s deep connection to water by examining their folk knowledge in water-based weather forecasting. Using a qualitative research approach, primary data were collected through interviews, observations, and focus group discussions, while relevant documents were reviewed to obtain secondary data. The informants included in the study were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The collected data were analyzed thematically, against the backdrop of social constructionism and ecological theoretical frameworks. The findings show that the community relies on folk knowledge systems to predict weather patterns and to guide various water-related activities such as transportation, social interactions, and economic practices. The key indicators used for weather prediction include wind direction, water current conditions, time of day (day or night), locally named weather conditions, lightning flashes, and stars that are called by specific folk names within the community. Based on these observations, travelers adjust their routes and activities accordingly. Overall, the findings demonstrate that folk weather forecasting plays a vital role in shaping daily decision-making, from determining travel routes and boat selection to planning social and economic activities. This study contributes to understanding how folk ecological knowledge fosters resilience and adaptation in the face of changing climate conditions
Effects of graphic organizers on students’ reading engagement of Ethiopian grade five students
Full text linkReading engagement remains a major challenge among Grade Five EFL learners in Ethiopia, where limited exposure to English texts and teacher-centered instruction often reduce students’ motivation and active participation in reading. To address this gap, the present study examined the effect of graphic organizers on students’ behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement in reading. A quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design was employed, involving 98 students sampled from a single school. The study was conducted over a seven-week intervention period. The experimental group (49 students) received reading instruction using instructional materials prepared by the researchers, which incorporated various graphic organizers, such as concept maps, Venn diagrams, Know–Want to Know–Learned charts, story maps, and cause-and-effect charts, applied to reading passages sourced directly from the Grade Five English textbook. In contrast, the comparison groups (49 students) were taught through teacher-centered methods using the textbook’s standard activities without any graphicorganizer. Quantitative data were collected through a reading engagement questionnaire, and qualitative insights were gathered via focus group discussions to complement and deepen the interpretation of results. The post-test findings revealed that the experimental group (M = 111.67) demonstrated significantly higher engagement than the comparison group (M = 85.57), with a mean difference of 26.10, t (96) = 12.47, p < .001, and a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 2.97, η² = 0.69). Qualitative findings supported these results, showing that students found reading more interesting, interactive, and meaningful when graphic organizers were used. Overall, the study concludes that integrating graphic organizers into EFL reading instruction enhances students’ behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement, suggesting their strong potential for promoting active, student-centered learning and improving reading comprehension in primary classrooms
The Red Terror and Fascist Occupation in Literature from the Ethiopian Diaspora
No full textThis contribution provides an overview of diasporic Ethiopian literature, or rather literature that has emerged from the Ethiopian diaspora in different places around the world from authors that maintain a strong link to their homeland. Using a comparative approach, this article argues that diasporic Ethiopians have similar thematic preoccupations despite varying locations and personal backgrounds, exemplifying a new literary trend that is transnational. Considering the thematization of the Red Terror and the Fascist Occupation, the theory of postmemory is used to exemplify that current authors of Ethiopian descent are infused with the results of past traumas that they themselves did not experience. In conclusion, this leads to authors in the diaspora adopting a negative viewpoint of the Ethiopian government, as well as showcasing that Ethiopia’s history cannot be solely looked at as victorious given the open wound represented by the Italian occupation
Genetic Relationships among Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Lines and Correlation between Genetic Distance and Hybrid Performance
No full textIn certain cases the improved and released sorghum varieties are not being used by Ethiopian farmers because of lack of farmers preferred traits in the hybrids developed so far. This study was conducted to identify the genetic potential of selected sorghum inbred lines involving landraces, introduced and improved lines and its effect on combining ability and hybrid performance to use for hybrid development. Genetic diversity of 37 inbred lines used for the test hybrids was assessed using 7339 SNP markers. The genotypes were grouped into four clusters, with the Ethiopian landraces depicting clear distinction from the introduced and breeding lines. The result implies that efforts might be needed to bring the best genes from the landraces for the hybrid breeding. Genetic distance between inbred lines estimates based on SNP markers ranged from 0.02 to 0.358 with an average of 0.247, indicating the very narrow genetic distance for this study. The regression analysis indicates that grain yield showed an increment as the genetic distance among parental lines increased. Generally, the genetic distance between lines and regression analysis played vital role in determining which lines showed yield increment. Thus, sorghum lines with desirable trait of interests were properly identified for future sorghum breeding progra
The Effect of Technology and Product Innovation on SMEs Performance through Balanced Scorecard: Government Programs as Intervening in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
No full textThis study examines the Effect of Technology and Product Innovation on SMEs' Performance through the Balanced Scorecard Government Programs as an intervention in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 431 SME owners and managers in Addis Ababa took part in a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design that collected primary data using multi-stage sampling, systematic random sampling, and standardized, closed-ended questions. SPSS Version 26 was used to analyze the data for descriptive and inferential statistics. The hypothesized relationships were investigated using AMOS software Version 26, which enables structural equation modeling(SEM). The findings show that both technological and product improvements considerably boost corporate performance (β = 0.395, p < 0.001 and β = 0.428, p < 0.001, respectively), with government support acting as a stimulant that largely mediates these interactions. This study offers a comprehensive understanding of performance and innovation in a developing economyby combining perspectives from the Resource-Based View, Innovation Diffusion Theory, Stakeholder Theory, and the Balanced Scorecard. Future studies should concentrate on qualitative insights, industry-specific subtleties, and long-term consequences in order to gain a deeper understanding of the contextual elements impacting innovation. This will give policymakers and SME management practical advice on how to organize focused support systems to encourage sustainable growth
Christianity in Ethiopia: The Quest for When and by Whom It was Introduced?
No full textThe introduction of Christianity into Ethiopia was heralded first by an Ethiopian eunuch known by the name Bakos. It happened soon after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this makes Ethiopia the second country in the world next to Palestine. The evangelical activities of Bakos were subsequently supported by several apostles of Jesus Christ. Among them were St. Matthew, St. Thomas, St. Bartholomew, St. Matthias, and St. Andrew. Matthew preached the new faith to the people of Ethiopia, and henceforth he wrote the Gospel known by his name for Ethiopians in their own tongue. Unfortunately, this historical fact remains concealed, and above all, there is a general misunderstanding that Christianity was introduced by Frumentius in the fourth century after the Council of Nicaea. This paper attempts to examine both ancient and medieval documents, and it avers to reconstruct that Christianity was a first-century phenomenon in Ethiopia
Adaptive Leadership Behaviors in Secondary schools: A Systematic Review of Practices, Challenges, Outcomes, and Implications
No full textThis systematic review examined adaptive leadership practices in secondary schools worldwide, focusing on their implementation, challenges, and outcomes. A comprehensive search of peer‑reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 was conducted across major databases and institutional repositories, yielding 15 eligible articles from diverse contexts including Ethiopia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Palestine, and New Zealand. Thematic synthesis indicated that principals utilized adaptive practices such as contextual problem‑solving, collaboration, digital transformation, and stakeholder engagement to address complex educational challenges. Despite persistent constraints including bureaucratic rigidity, resource limitations, and cultural resistance, findings revealed positive links between adaptive leadership practices and teachers’ engagement, motivation, performance, curriculum innovation, and equity outcomes. The review concludes that adaptive leadership provides a flexible and globally relevant framework for boosting resilient, inclusive, and future‑ready secondary schools, while stressing the significance of contextual adaptation to local traditions and systemic constraints
Compensation Dynamics of Expropriation for the Expansion of Development Programs in Ethiopia: An Evidence from the Gada Special Economic Zone
No full textLand transcends its physical dimensions to form the bedrock of life, cultural identity, and spiritual belonging for communities worldwide. In Ethiopia, this connection is profound, with land representing ancestral heritage, social status, and economic survival. However, the state's pursuit of development through Special Economic Zones (SEZs) often necessitates land expropriation, disproportionately displacing smallholder farmers. This process frequently occurs without commensurate compensation or due process, leading to severe socio-economic and cultural disruptions. This paper employs a qualitative doctrinal research approach to critically examine the compensation dynamics for smallholders expropriated for SEZ development in Ethiopia. Through an analysis of the constitutional framework, national proclamations including the Expropriation Proclamation No. 1161/2019 and the Special Economic Zone Proclamation No. 1322/2024 and subsidiary legislation, the study identifies a significant gap between legal principles and their implementation. The findings reveal that the current compensation implementation process is clearly departs from principles enshrined under the 1995 constitution of FDRE and other international principle and standards that mandates for advance, commensurate compensation. The paper concludes that a transformative, inclusive approach is urgently needed. It argues for expropriation processes that are not only legally compliant but also ethically grounded, integrating Indigenous knowledge and ensuring meaningful community participation.
 
Liver as a Center of Cognition and Feeling in Anywaa
No full textAnywaa is a Western Nilotic language which is spoken in Gambella, Ethiopia and Greater Pibor Administrative Area (South Sudan). The present study describes and analyzes liver as a center of cognition and feeling among the Anywaa society in south-western Ethiopia. The study was based on Conceptual Metaphor Theory and Embodiment Model (Lakoff and Johnson, 1980;Lakoff and Johnson, 2003;Kövecses, 2020; Gibbs, 2005). To collect the data, elicitation, introspection, texts and unstructured interview were used. This study clearly indicates that among the Anywaa, liver is commonly held as the center of cognition and feeling. For example, wɪ̀ɪ̀l tʃwìɲ ' to change liver’ metaphorically means to change an idea. Hence, THOUGHT IS LIVER. Furthermore, the study indicates that in Anywaa, many abstract concepts such as desire, love, courage, interest, and/or wish are understood based on LIVER. For example, páá tʃwíɲà 'not my liver' implies that the speaker is not interested in something and this implies that LIVER METONYMICALLY STANDS FOR DESIRE/INTEREST. Thus, liver regulates body functioning and interacts with other body parts like tongue, head, heart, eye, leg and skin for the daily life of a person. For example, the fact that we see with our eyes is metaphorically extended to seeing with liver to imply understanding, memory and imagination. This takes us to the conclusion that the Anywaa's mind is mostly embodied with liver being the center of feeling and cognition
Announcement
No full textFollowing recent institutional reforms at the Institute of Ethiopian Studies of Addis Ababa University, the Journal of Ethiopian Studies will undergo a comprehensive policy and structural transformation beginning with the upcoming volume. This includes a full revision of editorial policy, a reconstitution of the editorial and advisory boards, and the recruitment of new associate editors. Additionally, the journal will see a change in leadership: the Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Taddesse Berisso, and the Managing Editor, Dr. Berhanu Asfaw, will be succeeded by new editors