Zumra Nuru, a 60-year-old Ethiopian farmer founded Awra Amba, a commune where men and women's traditional roles and religion have no place. As a child he was sent to work the fields instead of to school and beaten for eating meat at his Christian neighbor's home. His mother labored more than his father. He was belittled for questioning these practices.
Implications - Innovative community-living models are popping up all around the world in order to actively resist the norms, customs and roles that have been in place for hundreds of years. This reflects the increasing individualization of society and people's desires to work together and collaborate for a more participatory society in the future.
Egalitarian Ethiopia
Man Creates Model Community
Trend Themes
1. Community Resistance - Models of community-living are emerging to resist traditional norms, customs and roles in society.
2. Individualization - The desire for an individualistic society is reflected in the creation of collaborative communities.
3. Participatory Society - There is a growing interest in creating participatory communities to shape the future of society.
Industry Implications
1. Real Estate - The rise of alternative living communities presents an opportunity for the real estate industry to develop more affordable and sustainable housing options.
2. Agriculture - Alternative living models may disrupt traditional agricultural practices and create new opportunities for sustainable farming methods.
3. Social Services - As alternative living communities become more prevalent, there is a demand for new social services to support their unique needs and lifestyles.