This thesis deals with the household economy. It mainly foc uses on Dorze households rnwith particular reference to the role o f women in the ho usehold economy. First, It rnpresents the description o f the socio-economic and geo-political context of the Gamo rnhighland communities in general and that of the D orze in particular. The Gamo rnhighlanders had been relatively isolated from central and northern EthlOpla for rncenturies. However, they were incorpora ted in to the Ethi pi a~l empire in the last decade rno f the 19'h century. The incorporation brought about various changes in the SOCIO -rneconomic life of the highland communities. The Dorze were the most affected people U1 rnthis regard. Though they had the skill of weav ing earlier, weaving has become an rnimportant source of income for the majority of Dorze households after the rnincorporation. This external fac tor encouraged Dorze weavers to migrate to urban rncenters where better marke t for woven clothes is available. T he spatial mob ility of th e rnDorze in turn affects the household structure and econom.ic role o f women at the rnhousehold level. rnDifferent theoretical models have been employed to explain household economic rnbehavior. The th esis deals with the basic assumptions of two household models: the new rnhousehold economics (N HE) and the model of 'continuous fragmentation' of rnhousehold. The NH E is the model of pooled household economy. I t ass umes that rnhousehold members pool income and economic resources which are controlled ancl rnredistributed by an altruistic household head. The model o f 'continuous fragmentation' rnassumes that factors such as migration, d.ivorce and polygyny contin uously alter rnhousehold structure. The change in household structure in turn affec ts th e role and rnstatus of women. rnThe central purpose of this thesis is to explore whether the basic assumptions of the two rnmodels adequately explain the econornic behavior o f D orze households and the role of rnwomen in the household economy. The majority o f Dorze households have separa te rneconomic units. Household members generate income from different sources. rnFurthermore, they do not pool their income and they have no unified patte rn of rnhousehold expenditure. Moreover, factors such as migration, d.ivorce and polygyny alter rnthe structure and economic status o f the household, which in turn affects the role and rnstatus of women in the household economy. rnAccordingly, the thesis concludes tha t Dorze household features do no t fit into the rntheoretical model o f the N HE. However, the model o f continuous fragmentation could rnadequately explain the behavior of Dorze households. Moreover, it emphasizes the rnanalysis of women's role and status in the household economy. Thus, it could be used to rnexplore the role o f women and other members in the household economy. It also rnprovides researchers with an alternative theoretical framework for the study of rnhouseholds that are continuously affe cted by factors such as migration, d.ivo rce and rnpolygyny.