Control over the production and consumption of tej (honeywine) and the honey to produce it, was p... more Control over the production and consumption of tej (honeywine) and the honey to produce it, was part of the political economy of the Abyssinian kingdom/Ethiopian empire (1270-1974 CE) and possibly earlier polities in the northern Ethiopian highlands. Unlike other Indigenous and imported alcohol, tej became diacritica used to constitute social inequality by creating exclusive consumption-communities based on social rank and class. Those with imperial permission consumed tej with specific drinking vessels, which added to the drama of ranked performance in politically charged feasts. Honey for elite tej production was demanded as tax and tribute by the state from every land holder, and while honey was widely available, commoners were forbidden to make and drink tej. The study concludes that exclusive rights over the use of honey for making and drinking tej, an abundant resource in the northern highlands, was a more effective political strategy in legitimating state power and authority than the consumption of rare exotica, including imported alcohol, that was irrelevant to most peoples’ lives. The study contributes to recent archaeological literature that focuses on how power and authority were locally legitimated within the political praxis of precolonial African states. The long-term political importance of honey and tej in northern Ethiopia, continues to shape the value of these products in contemporary commensal politics and in the political economy.
ABSTRACT Pottery surface treatments are considered essential to waterproofing and strengthening l... more ABSTRACT Pottery surface treatments are considered essential to waterproofing and strengthening low-fired porous pots, and they add characteristic elements of colour and texture to pottery assemblages. However, surface treatments do not receive the same attention as other stages of pottery chaînes opératoires in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in terms of the social context of production, how technological treatments vary across an assemblage, contribute to flavour and address ecological concerns and ontological perspectives. This paper presents an ethnoarchaeological study of the continuum of potter and customer surface treatments that are applied to pots to specialise vessels for use in regional culinary practices in three sub-regions of Tigray Regional state in northern highland Ethiopia. The choice of surface treatments and their application methods may further protect consumers from the perceived dangers that society attributes to these marginalised artisans.
Pottery surface treatments are considered essential to waterproofing and strengthening low-fired ... more Pottery surface treatments are considered essential to waterproofing and strengthening low-fired porous pots, and they add characteristic elements of colour and texture to pottery assemblages. However, surface treatments do not receive the same attention as other stages of pottery chaînes opératoires in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in terms of the social context of production, how technological treatments vary across an assemblage, contribute to flavour and address ecological concerns and ontological perspectives. This paper presents an ethnoarchaeological study of the continuum of potter and customer surface treatments that are applied to pots to specialise vessels for use in regional culinary practices in three sub-regions of Tigray Regional state in northern highland Ethiopia. The choice of surface treatments and their application methods may further protect consumers from the perceived dangers that society attributes to these marginalised artisans.
International Journal of Historical Archaeology, 2021
Control over the production and consumption of tej (honeywine) and the honey to produce it, was p... more Control over the production and consumption of tej (honeywine) and the honey to produce it, was part of the political economy of the Abyssinian kingdom/Ethiopian empire (1270-1974 CE) and possibly earlier polities in the northern Ethiopian highlands. Unlike other Indigenous and imported alcohol, tej became diacritica used to constitute social inequality by creating exclusive consumption-communities based on social rank and class. Those with imperial permission consumed tej with specific drinking vessels, which added to the drama of ranked performance in politically charged feasts. Honey for elite tej production was demanded as tax and tribute by the state from every land holder, and while honey was widely available, commoners were forbidden to make and drink tej. The study concludes that exclusive rights over the use of honey for making and drinking tej, an abundant resource in the northern highlands, was a more effective political strategy in legitimating state power and authority ...
... View statistics of this item. Title: Regionalism of Dorset art style : a comparative analysis... more ... View statistics of this item. Title: Regionalism of Dorset art style : a comparative analysis of stylistic variability in five Dorset art samples. Authors: Lyons, Diane (Diane Elaine), 1955-. Advisor: Schledermann, Peter. Issue Date: 1982. Publisher: Archaeology, University of Calgary. ...
Control over the production and consumption of tej (honeywine) and the honey to produce it, was p... more Control over the production and consumption of tej (honeywine) and the honey to produce it, was part of the political economy of the Abyssinian kingdom/Ethiopian empire (1270-1974 CE) and possibly earlier polities in the northern Ethiopian highlands. Unlike other Indigenous and imported alcohol, tej became diacritica used to constitute social inequality by creating exclusive consumption-communities based on social rank and class. Those with imperial permission consumed tej with specific drinking vessels, which added to the drama of ranked performance in politically charged feasts. Honey for elite tej production was demanded as tax and tribute by the state from every land holder, and while honey was widely available, commoners were forbidden to make and drink tej. The study concludes that exclusive rights over the use of honey for making and drinking tej, an abundant resource in the northern highlands, was a more effective political strategy in legitimating state power and authority than the consumption of rare exotica, including imported alcohol, that was irrelevant to most peoples’ lives. The study contributes to recent archaeological literature that focuses on how power and authority were locally legitimated within the political praxis of precolonial African states. The long-term political importance of honey and tej in northern Ethiopia, continues to shape the value of these products in contemporary commensal politics and in the political economy.
ABSTRACT Pottery surface treatments are considered essential to waterproofing and strengthening l... more ABSTRACT Pottery surface treatments are considered essential to waterproofing and strengthening low-fired porous pots, and they add characteristic elements of colour and texture to pottery assemblages. However, surface treatments do not receive the same attention as other stages of pottery chaînes opératoires in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in terms of the social context of production, how technological treatments vary across an assemblage, contribute to flavour and address ecological concerns and ontological perspectives. This paper presents an ethnoarchaeological study of the continuum of potter and customer surface treatments that are applied to pots to specialise vessels for use in regional culinary practices in three sub-regions of Tigray Regional state in northern highland Ethiopia. The choice of surface treatments and their application methods may further protect consumers from the perceived dangers that society attributes to these marginalised artisans.
Pottery surface treatments are considered essential to waterproofing and strengthening low-fired ... more Pottery surface treatments are considered essential to waterproofing and strengthening low-fired porous pots, and they add characteristic elements of colour and texture to pottery assemblages. However, surface treatments do not receive the same attention as other stages of pottery chaînes opératoires in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in terms of the social context of production, how technological treatments vary across an assemblage, contribute to flavour and address ecological concerns and ontological perspectives. This paper presents an ethnoarchaeological study of the continuum of potter and customer surface treatments that are applied to pots to specialise vessels for use in regional culinary practices in three sub-regions of Tigray Regional state in northern highland Ethiopia. The choice of surface treatments and their application methods may further protect consumers from the perceived dangers that society attributes to these marginalised artisans.
International Journal of Historical Archaeology, 2021
Control over the production and consumption of tej (honeywine) and the honey to produce it, was p... more Control over the production and consumption of tej (honeywine) and the honey to produce it, was part of the political economy of the Abyssinian kingdom/Ethiopian empire (1270-1974 CE) and possibly earlier polities in the northern Ethiopian highlands. Unlike other Indigenous and imported alcohol, tej became diacritica used to constitute social inequality by creating exclusive consumption-communities based on social rank and class. Those with imperial permission consumed tej with specific drinking vessels, which added to the drama of ranked performance in politically charged feasts. Honey for elite tej production was demanded as tax and tribute by the state from every land holder, and while honey was widely available, commoners were forbidden to make and drink tej. The study concludes that exclusive rights over the use of honey for making and drinking tej, an abundant resource in the northern highlands, was a more effective political strategy in legitimating state power and authority ...
... View statistics of this item. Title: Regionalism of Dorset art style : a comparative analysis... more ... View statistics of this item. Title: Regionalism of Dorset art style : a comparative analysis of stylistic variability in five Dorset art samples. Authors: Lyons, Diane (Diane Elaine), 1955-. Advisor: Schledermann, Peter. Issue Date: 1982. Publisher: Archaeology, University of Calgary. ...
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