article

Magic as a 'quasi-profession': the organization of magic and magical healing among Amhara

Ethnology14 (3) • Published In 1975 • Pages: 245-265

By: Young, Allan Louis.

Abstract
This is an article on Amhara magician-healers, or DEBTERA, who affect cures through the use of amulets, esoteric knowledge, and in some cases demon-helpers. DEBTERA are considered by laymen to be failed priests, who through some weakness or sin must leave their parish and lose the customary support of the church. At some point they make a pact with demons, the source of their power and stigma. As youth, DEBTERA wander the countryside making a livelihood trading esoteric lore and amulets with lowlanders and other DEBTERA. Eventually, they become low-level functionaries in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, working as cantors, scribes, church historians, and most importantly, teachers. Young argues that the DEBTERA are able to maintain themselves as a profession without the support of an institution or cult ritual through their ability to travel and trade in amulets, and because of their stigmatized status, an image the DEBTERA indeed encourage.
Subjects
Magical and mental therapy
Sacred objects and places
Revelation and divination
Magic
Magicians and diviners
culture
Amhara
HRAF PubDate
1998
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Eastern Africa
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 1996
Field Date
1966
Coverage Date
1960s
Coverage Place
Begemder Province, Ethiopia
Notes
Allan Young
Includes bibliographical references (p. 265)
LCCN
64005713
LCSH
Amhara (African people)/At/At/At