KONSO OF SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA: THE STUDY OF THEIR DISTNICTIVE TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES

Abstract This cultural asset assessment work was carried out from 23rd December 2019 to January 31st of 2020 among the Konso people of southern Ethiopia. The main objective of this study was to explore the types, genesis, meaning and functions of cultural elements of Konso Cultural Landscape and describe social institutions and values accompanying each unique traditions and practices and to assess the status of each cultural elements of KCL (which comprises walled towns, terraces, Moora, sacred groves, Dinna, Harada, Waaka, daga-diruma, daga-xhella and Olahita) with the purpose of ensuring the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission to the future generations. The methods used to conduct the study include: observation, in-depth interview and focus group discussion. In spite of the prevalence of certain challenges I faced mainly with regard to the difficulty to observe the maintenance works of the cultural properties of KCL as a field work was conducted during the time when farmers were preparing for harvesting hakayta and those who were working in the lowland of segen were harvesting their grain or cereal, shortage of time and financial constraints, I trie4d my best in gathering relevant information essential for my paper. The findings of this investigation showed that Konso customary traditions and practices have demonstrated an enormous level of resilience and autonomy in the face of changes brought by the deterioration of ecological condition of the area, modern education and globalized religion. The study revealed that the wall of Olanta walled town was getting deterioration. People started to extract stone terraces for construction purposes. The introduction of modern education and Christianity brought numerous changes on the function of Moora, the curving and erection of Waaka underwent changes resulting from conservative Christians, illegal trafficking, and modernity. The introduction of modern education and Christianity were against the tradition of erecting daga-diruma, daga-xhella, and Olahita. The study revealed that the dinna forest surrounding towns have been destroyed due to population increment, developmental pressures and expansion of new agricultural fields. The sacred forests of the Poqalla are at their intact states. The tradition of harta (Hararda) continued as water collecting tanker in every part of Konso and maintained communally by the help of Kanta (ward) organization.