A'mmomat and weshu processing as a mechanism of balancing gender power relations among the Kambaata community of Central Ethiopia

Abstract

This article argues that power in gender relations within the Kambaata people of central Ethiopia is expressed through relational, mutual, and complementary dynamics rather than domination or control. It critiques Western liberal feminist frameworks—especially those emphasizing rights, equality, and resistance—for their limitations in capturing culturally embedded forms of female power in non‐Western contexts. The study focuses on the indigenous concept of a'mmomat , which encompasses connection, care, support, kin‐keeping, and guest reception. A'mmomat reflects the Kambaata people's understanding of gender relations as reciprocal and rooted in shared origins. Existing gender research in Ethiopia, particularly on the Kambaata, often overlooks women's lived experiences and their subtle yet significant modes of influence on the weshu plant. To address this gap, the study employs a qualitative ethnographic methodology, including participant observation, in‐depth interviews, and focus group discussions to explore how men, women, and institutions enact and communicate power. Findings reveal that care‐focused, complementary practices—such as a'mmomat ‐ are central to the cultural logic of power in Kambaata. These everyday practices structure relationships and serve as key sites of power circulation. Drawing on Allen's (1999) feminist theory of power, this article reinterprets power through the lens of Kambaata women's roles in food processing, maternal care, and community associations.