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Social structure and clan group networks of Afar pastorals along the Lower Awash Valley

Author

Listed:
  • Bisrat Teklesilassie Yazew

    (Addis Ababa University)

  • Getachew Kassa

    (Addis Ababa University)

Abstract

The study examined how Afar society’s clan structure and societal hierarchies were established. The links of customary law (maa’da) practices, traditional communication (dagu), and social networks (affehina) were found to be significant in the social structure for how members perform social interactions. A qualitative method was applied, which involved Key informant interviews, focused group discussions, and observation techniques as data-gathering tools. The data was interpreted using a thematic analysis technique. Accordingly, the study explored that the administrative and social structure of the society consisted of the sultanate, the clan, and youth social groups. Each social unit has its distinct functions. A clan is the highest and most territorially located social organization. In addition, it was identified that network ties would be more commonly used to depict member’s interactions within the clan’s network structure. However, the clan’s territory (dinto) is not changeable as the season changes. The customary law applications are identified as a system of governing and controlling the social structure, social interactions, anti-social behaviours, and clan networks, with no change and differences in contents and practices in all clan groups. Furthermore, the expansion of small cities gradual change to urban centres, economic inequalities, and recurrent drought resulted in the decline of traditional norms and mutual social trusts. As a result, the study concluded that to sustain the traditional knowledge and social structure in facilitating clan vital networks, implementing visible policies will benefit the society, the government, and stakeholders to plan out effective mechanisms to preserve the sociocultural worth of the Afar pastoral societies in particular and other social groups in the country in general.

Suggested Citation

  • Bisrat Teklesilassie Yazew & Getachew Kassa, 2024. "Social structure and clan group networks of Afar pastorals along the Lower Awash Valley," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:11:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-024-03344-3
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-03344-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniel Lois, 2016. "Types of social networks and the transition to parenthood," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 34(23), pages 657-688.
    2. José Balsa-Barreiro & Alfredo J. Morales & Rubén C. Lois-González & Ãtila Bueno, 2021. "Mapping Population Dynamics at Local Scales Using Spatial Networks," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2021, pages 1-14, May.
    3. Esmael Abdu & Mohammd Adem & David McMillan, 2021. "Determinants of financial inclusion in Afar Region: Evidence from selected woredas," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(1), pages 1920149-192, January.
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