Traditions die hard and this is even more so in the Ethiopian context. In Ethiopian culture, one must conform or be damned to ostracism or even outright hostility. It takes a whole lot of determination and of course, inexhaustible patience mingled with confidence, to swim against the tide of established culture and tradition.

A unique social experiment

One man, now a community of hundreds, has done this and much more. His name is Zumra Nuru Mohammed and chose to be the leader of a commune in which religion does not matter more over economic self-sufficiency unfettered by differences in faith and tradition.
Zumra’s community is called Awra Amba and is found in Gondar 695kms northwest of Addis Ababa and established about 20 years ago. In the founders own words “the realization of heaven on earth for all human kind without disregarding one’s religion”
Women enjoy equal status as Awra Amba rejects old stereotypes of the woman as sole homemaker and caregiver. Men bake ‘injera’ and spin cotton – audacious and totally unmacho behavior to most Ethiopian males. The community pools all income from farming, tapestry and weaving in a common fund, although individuals may perform extra work for added private income. Harvests are shared with the infirm and the elderly so none of the members ever go hungry.
Awra Amba’s achievements have gained local and international recognition as well as some domestic controversy. Zumra, who is now 61 years old, has raised a pointedly vital social question – should Ethiopian society take his lead or is the unique community a one-off oddity that will eventually be swallowed up by the depths of tradition? What does Capital’s society say?

What is your take on the Awra Amba community?

We Ethiopians-Christian, Muslim, Jew and others are too much focused on traditions that used to be sensible when our respective religions were in their infancies. The world is a very different place today and it is likely that the early founders would not condone the practice of ancient laws formulated for a long gone era. In that sense, I am all for Zumra and the Awra Amba community. Keep it up!

Betel, 19
Aspiring actress

I am also a believer in the importance of hard work for a better life. I picked myself up from scratch, did any job – including shoe shining and have a comfortable life today. Why should I then have involved myself in unmanly work such as baking ‘injera’ or spinning cotton (crosses himself) when that is clearly not my portion of life? In the same way, I don’t want a woman to do a man’s job. I’m against the Awra Amba experiment because it goes against long accepted tradition and culture.

Zemen H. 52
Businessman

Our country needs more visionaries such as Zumra Mohammed. I admire his determination in the face of great odds and wish him and the Awra Amba community even more success. I just pray that their accomplishments will be an example to other Ethiopians.

A. Saladin, 26
Trader

I greatly admire the personal and group initiative of the Awra Amba community residents. My admiration increases when I reflect on the fact that the founder (and his followers) emerged not from an urban (and) sophisticated setting but from a rural area in one of the most conservative regions of Ethiopia.

Belay S, 41
Photographer

In my humble opinion, a community such as Awra Amba is the nearest thing to communism. I’m sorry I cant give my support because communal life is incompatible with 21st century outlook.

Sam Y. 31
Chemist