Causes and Forms of Marginalization: An Investigation of Social Marginalization of Craft Workers in Dembecha Woreda, North Western Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper is primarily concerned to investigate the causes and forms of social marginalization of craft workers living in Dembecha Woreda in North Western Ethiopia. The study has been carried out in two purposely selected villages in Dembecha Woreda. A cross sectional qualitative method was employed (in-depth interview and Focus Group Discussion) involving a total of 44 participants 26 key informant, and 3 FGD comprising 6 individuals in each group through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Accordingly, the causes for marginalization of craft workers are mainly socio-cultural constructions retained in negative stereotypes, and evil eye ideology stemmed from the perception of the non-craft worker society. Thus, potters are highly associated with evil eye whereas tanner’s   stereotype is associated with ‘impurity’. Craft-workers were marginalized in many forms mainly, restriction from social associations, restriction in intermarriage with the non-craft workers, and spatial segregation. Moreover, craft workers of Dembecha Woreda are marginalized occupational groups who are socially excluded, culturally subordinated, and spatially segregated. Nowadays some forms of marginalization are declining and hence there is spatial integration and intermarriage. Finally it is recommended that, interventions are needed like public and religious teaching to change the belief of the society, promoting ‘indigenous crafts’ through culture and tourism, and  the government should design programs to teach the society about equality.

Keywords: marginalization, social exclusion, craft worker, potter, tanner, stereotype, prejudice

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-21-02

Publication date: November 30^th 2019