Indigenous knowledge and cultural resilience of Enset legacies for food security among the Sadan Liban Oromo of Ethiopia

While the Maccaa Oromo are traditionally associated with cereal-based agriculture, the Sadan Liban Oromo represent a distinct cultural and agricultural divergence. This study explores the historical evolution of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) cultivation within this community, examining how it became a foundational element of their socio-economic fabric. Despite extensive literature on Enset in southern Ethiopia, focused research on the Sadan Liban Oromo’s transition to Enset cultivation remains limited. Specifically, the mechanisms of cultural diffusion from neighboring groups and the indigenous management strategies employed by this Oromo subgroup are under-documented. The primary objective of this research is to analyze the historical factors that integrated Enset into the Sadan Liban Oromo. It aims to document indigenous horticultural knowledge, evaluate the plant’s role in communal resilience, and identify environmental challenges threatening its production. The study employed a qualitative research design. Data were triangulated from oral traditions (interviews with local elders and farmers), and an extensive review of existing secondary literature to reconstruct the historical and cultural landscape of the region. Findings indicate that the Sadan Liban Oromo region is an Enset -dominant enclave within the Maccaa Oromo territory, a development largely driven by historical proximity and cultural exchange with the Gurage people. The study reveals that Enset serves as a “security crop” and a marker of social status in densely populated highlands. Farmers possess sophisticated indigenous knowledge regarding biodiversity conservation and disease management, though proficiency varies across agro-ecological zones, with highland residents exhibiting the highest level of horticultural expertise. The research highlights the need for agricultural policies that integrate indigenous botanical knowledge with modern veterinary and climate science to combat emerging Enset diseases. Furthermore, the findings suggest that regional food security initiatives should promote Enset cultivation in similar agro-ecological zones as a buffer against climate-induced cereal crop failures.