Preserving national values: Reproduction of national identity in a school of Qenie

Schools pursued multiple ways to cultivate national identity amongst students, but not all approaches are effective. Drawn from ethnographic fieldwork conducted in rural Ethiopia, this study aims at exploring how national identity is reproduced through the knowledge system of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC). By exploring the daily lives of students in the school of Qenie, the findings show detailed practices and how the school system exposes them to a multitude of cultural resources that help in national identity reproduction. The study has important implications for practice and policy to reinforce a healthy approach to nurturing valued aspects of the nation. © 2022 National Children's Bureau and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.