Review Article
The Root and the Branch: Eguale Gebre Yohannes’s Philosophy of ‘Tewahido’ in Ethiopian Higher Education
Mohammed Zeinu Hassen*
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-7
Received:
2 October 2025
Accepted:
13 October 2025
Published:
7 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijsedu.20261401.11
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Abstract: This article provides an analysis of the seminal work of the 20th-century Ethiopian philosopher Eguale Gebre Yohannes, የከፍተኛ ትምህርት ዘይቤ (The Style of Higher Education). Published at a critical juncture during the establishment of Ethiopia's modern university system, the book confronts the profound cultural crisis arising from the encounter between indigenous Ethiopian civilization and modern Western thought. The article examines Eguale's central thesis, which rejects both the uncritical imitation of the West and a retreat into stagnant traditionalism. In their place, he proposes a sophisticated philosophy of "Tewahido" (synthesis), an organic and authentic integration that preserves the integrity of both traditions. We explore Eguale's diagnostic framework, particularly his use of potent archetypes, the restless, knowledge-seeking "Faustian" West versus the spiritually-grounded "Yaredic" Ethiopia, to articulate the cultural dilemma. The core of the analysis focuses on his powerful metaphor of grafting a "wild" branch of Western science and methodology onto the "cultivated" rootstock of Ethiopian heritage. This study demonstrates how Eguale argues that the root (Ethiopian tradition) is the primary, life-sustaining element, a radical reversal of the colonial educational model. Furthermore, the article delves into Eguale's humanistic educational aims, which stand in stark opposition to purely utilitarian models of education. He prioritizes the cultivation of a virtuous and self-aware "whole person" over the mere production of skilled technocrats, advocating for a curriculum that fosters self-knowledge and ethical responsibility. The study concludes that Eguale's work offers more than just a historical perspective; it provides a timeless and coherent philosophical blueprint for post-colonial education, presenting a model for authentically integrating local identity with global knowledge.
Abstract: This article provides an analysis of the seminal work of the 20th-century Ethiopian philosopher Eguale Gebre Yohannes, የከፍተኛ ትምህርት ዘይቤ (The Style of Higher Education). Published at a critical juncture during the establishment of Ethiopia's modern university system, the book confronts the profound cultural crisis arising from the encounter between i...
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