Meat Matters: Ethnographic Refractions of the Beta Israel

Meat Matters is an ethnography that explores the lives of Ethiopian Jews in Israel, focusing on the symbolism of meat and how it has changed their world. The Beta Israel community holds on to a key idiom in their lives: meat, which is organized into kirchas and distributed through a lottery ritual. The book follows the many strands of significance surrounding cows and meat, forming a vibrant web of meaning at the heart of the Beta Israel community today.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2023
Publisher: Indiana University Press

Meat Matters delves into the intricate tapestry of the lives of Ethiopian Jews, unveiling a captivating portrait through the lens of meat symbolism. Drawing upon thirty years of immersive fieldwork, this meticulously written and ingeniously constructed ethnography unfolds the remarkable story of the Beta Israel, a community that embarked on a journey from Ethiopia to Israel in the 1970s. Once in Israel, their world underwent transformative changes, encompassing unprecedented transformations such as conversion under Rabbinic restrictions, relocation into multistory buildings, shifting attitudes towards gender and reproduction, and, perhaps most strikingly, the emergence of a distinct physical hue associated with their bodies.

Amidst these seismic shifts, the Beta Israel clung steadfastly to a cherished idiom that remained central to their existence: meat. The community remains organized into kirchas, groups of friends and family who jointly purchase and nurture cows, meticulously butcher them, and divide their bodies into small, equal portions. These portions are then distributed among the kirchas through a ceremonial lottery ritual, fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility.

Meat Matters gracefully weaves back and forth between Ethiopia and Israel, tracing the diverse threads of significance surrounding cows and meat. Through this intricate exploration, it emerges as a vibrant web of meaning that forms the very essence of the Beta Israel community today. This captivating narrative offers a profound insight into the complex interplay of culture, identity, and tradition, shedding light on the enduring legacies and adaptations of a community that has weathered the winds of change.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253065780