THE EMPEROR AND HIS PEOPLE
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especially in Galla areas. Observers have remarked that belief in magic and superstitions is common to most groups throughout the country. Many people still practice pagan rites; the most common are animal sacrifices for increased good fortune with children, crops, and herds, rain-making and rain-controlling ceremonies, and propitiations for other needs. A number of foreign Christian missions are active in the country, but by law they are allowed to prosely tize only among non-Copts. They are occasionally sub jected to harassment by local non-Christians in areas where they are working, although the government has welcomed missions if they establish schools or medical ,clinics. In 1960, the major groups active in Ethiopia were the Roman Catholic Church, the Sudan Interior Mission (Protestant), the American United Presby terian Mission, the Swedish Lutheran National Evan gelical Mission, the Bibletrogner Vanner Mission (Swedish), the Seventh Day Adventist Mission, and the American Lutheran Mission. Largely because of the long identification of the Ethiopian Orthodox religion with the ruling Amharas and Tigrais, the profession of Christianity has tradi tionally eased access to high social position, wealth, and education. Under the present educational policies, ;however, which offer free schooling at lower levels and numerous scholarships at higher levels, children of all religious groups are acquiring training which qualifies them for responsible and well-paying positions in either the government or the private sector. (5) EDUCATION.
The literacy rate in Ethiopia is estimated at less than 10 percent of the total population. Factors con tributing to this low rate include the existence of many