A Historical Survey Of Religious Tolerance, Co-Existence And Cultural Values In North Gondar Zone : Evidences From Chilga, Matama And Gondar City

The study is about the evolution of indigenous Islam and Christianity in the study area. It deals with issues of syncretism   other than religions in their ‘pure’ sense highlighting the local historical conditions within which indigenous values have achieved harmony, tolerance and co-existence that brought cohesion and unity among the communities in the study area. The objective of the study is to re-examine and investigate the inter-marriage of cultural values and world religions which gave birth to a new identity that   proved the source of belongingness and family hood.  Besides it is the objective of   the study to call   for its preservation for generation to come as an identity marker .Up on the bases of the data collected it is possible to  argue that   the  dynamics between indigenous culture and world religions  gave rise for the tolerant Islam and Christianity in the study area where Muslims and Christians have   maintained their cultural bond of co-existence for several centuries. Saint venerations, baptism of holy water, holy men commemoration, magical practices, exorcising of ‘evil’s spirit possession, honoring the dead, praying at the ‘sacred Tree’ are components of the common values of the believers.  Thus, an inter communal relation   has been the cornerstone of co-existence than issues of religious differences and similarities.