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The domestic space of the compound or pätärje

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View of the domestic altar to the spirits or gods of the Opo, located in the sunny area of the compound. The altar consists of two branches stuck into the ground under which are placed two gourd bowls. These containers are used for their contents to be blessed. Propitiatory rituals dedicated to different spirits -Bes: rain; Juum: harvest; Buk: river; Bekena: war; Adam: peace; Ijap: hunting- are still performed in this space, even though evangelism has spread in the village and rejects such practices.

Funding

Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

History

Session

D08

Rights owner

Incipit-CSIC

Title alt

The ritual altar to spirits

Cultural group

Opo

Country

Ethiopia

Place

Akula, Gambela

Cultural context/event

Building

Social group setting

Family

Location

Compound

Date of creation

2021-08-05

Unique ID

2019LG07-D08-1029