The Central Social Institution in the Ethiopian Countryside

What was the central social institution in the Ethiopian countryside?

Choose one: A. Aksumite society B. Axum C. Beta Israel D. Menelik II

Answer:

A. Aksumite society

The central social institution in the Ethiopian countryside was the Aksumite society. It was a hierarchical structure with the king and nobility on top, followed by artisans and other workers, and then enslaved people. This structure was sustained by its agricultural resources and religious beliefs.

The Aksumite society was based on a systemic hierarchy, with authority relatively decentralized and relying on kinship lines. The society was primarily agrarian, with farmers and artisans making up the lower classes and enslaved individuals working the land.

Within the Aksumite society, there was a clear hierarchy with the king and nobility at the top, followed by middle-class workers like artisans, and enslaved individuals at the bottom. Social activities and rank were determined by this structured system.

Religion also played a significant role in the Aksumite society, with a priestly class overseeing the state religion, and polytheistic beliefs present before the introduction of Christianity. The society's reliance on agricultural resources and religious beliefs contributed to its overall sustainability.