Papers by zegeye woldemariam
Landscape Research, Oct 27, 2020
In 2010, UNESCO listed the Kafa Biosphere Reserve (KBR) in southwest Ethiopia based on the concep... more In 2010, UNESCO listed the Kafa Biosphere Reserve (KBR) in southwest Ethiopia based on the concept of landscape multifunctionality and the need to reconcile local community values and needs with conservation pressures. Understanding the role of the local community in traditional resource management has received little attention by researchers however, as most studies focus on the biophysical characteristics of the KBR. In this qualitative study we present two case studies from fieldwork and secondary sources: the Shattos as guardians of the Kafa forest customs, values and wisdom through musical performance; and, deejjoo, a thanksgiving ritual ceremony associated with forest resource management. These cultural and spiritual beliefs and practices corresponded closely with local understandings of biology and ecology. Land use changes over the past 50 years have resulted in deforestation, land degradation and erosion of sociocultural values that traditionally sustained humanenvironment interactions. Based on these descriptions we also found a gap in the research of the effects of gender on both biosphere and traditional land management approaches: Who has access to resources? What is the division of labour? How are values are defined, and Who makes the rules and decisions? Gender matters because taken for granted assumptions about women's roles and responsibilities as care givers can reinforce gender stereotypes. Our results provide insights into how increasing broader local community involvement in decision making could enhance environmental sustainability and improve gender equality.
African Journal of History and Culture , 2020
The present article attempts to reconstruct the fascinating nature of the indigenous defense syst... more The present article attempts to reconstruct the fascinating nature of the indigenous defense system and
means of military mobilization of the kingdom of Kafa prior to 1897. Kafa, located in today’s Southwestern Ethiopia, was historically one of the powerful and independent kingdoms prior to its
subjugation in 1897. In this study, the researcher relied on available previous multiple sources which
include oral testimonies, travel lore, scientific materials and ethnographic data. The researcher
employed ethnographic qualitative analysis method comparing them with historical narratives, which is
naturalistic approach that helps to understand historic processes and human experiences in a specific
historical setting. The findings of the study portray that the kingdom of Kafa had its own distinct
defense system and traditional military mobilization for longer years. Among these untold traditional
defense system, Hiriyoo (long ditch) was one of the manmade defensive systems dug deep, long and
wide around the border areas where enemies might intrude the kingdom. In addition, the kingdom dug
Kotino and Kuripo as another supplementary defense system; different insects and natural landscapes;
Hokko (drum) used for communication during military mobilization and Kelloo (land gate) system in all
corners of the boundary until the final collapse of the kingdom in 1897.
Landscape Research, 2020
In 2010, UNESCO listed the Kafa Biosphere Reserve (KBR) in southwest Ethiopia based on the concep... more In 2010, UNESCO listed the Kafa Biosphere Reserve (KBR) in southwest Ethiopia based on the concept of landscape multifunctionality and the need to reconcile local community values and needs with conservation pressures. Understanding the role of the local community in traditional resource management has received little attention by researchers however, as most studies focus on the biophysical characteristics of the KBR. In this qualitative study we present two case studies from fieldwork and secondary sources: the Shattos as guardians of the Kafa forest customs, values and wisdom through musical performance; and, deejjoo, a thanksgiving ritual ceremony associated with forest resource management. These cultural and spiritual beliefs and practices corresponded closely with local understandings of biology and ecology. Land use changes over the past 50 years have resulted in deforestation, land degradation and erosion of sociocultural values that traditionally sustained human-environment...
African journal of culture and history, 2017
This ethnographic article explores the changes and continuities of indigenous Qoollee Deejjoo rit... more This ethnographic article explores the changes and continuities of indigenous Qoollee Deejjoo ritual practice, and its role in forest resource management among Kafecho peoples. The Kafecho people, who live in Southwestern Ethiopia have enormous indigenous intangible ritual practices which have never been well investigated and recognized clearly. This study focuses on Qoollee deejjoo ritual practice in Gimbo woreda. The above study site is selected as the main study area based on the availability of indigenous ritual practice, and the researcher's personal experience. The researcher employed qualitative methods of data collection and analysis techniques. The major findings of the research pointed that Qoollee Deejjoo is a thanksgiving sacrifice ceremony to forest spirit (Qoolloo). This research also shows that the ritual ceremony performed under forested landscape is symbolic reminder of the worshipers and their survival, which depends on the forest. Hence, the ritual practice recognizes and honors the ethics and taboos of forested landscape for what it is. The sacrifice ceremony is exclusive. In addition, it plays a significant role in maintaining social coexistences, conflict settlement among its adherents. Based on the research finding there are changes in the ritual practice. These changes include reduction in the number of participants, reduction in the number of the ritual places, clearance of the sacred ritual forest for other purpose and reluctant towards the norms, taboos and values of the ritual practice. Some of the agents for these changes are change in the belief system due to currently spreading evangelical Protestant missionaries, cultural diffusion due to 'Westernization' narratives, the state led intervention and its contradictions with local socio-cultural dynamics, and disempowerment of local cultural practices. Finally, though there is big pressure and discouragement from internal and external dynamics against the practice of Qoollee Deejjoo, it is still representing the religious belief and cultural identity of its adherents in the study area.
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Papers by zegeye woldemariam
means of military mobilization of the kingdom of Kafa prior to 1897. Kafa, located in today’s Southwestern Ethiopia, was historically one of the powerful and independent kingdoms prior to its
subjugation in 1897. In this study, the researcher relied on available previous multiple sources which
include oral testimonies, travel lore, scientific materials and ethnographic data. The researcher
employed ethnographic qualitative analysis method comparing them with historical narratives, which is
naturalistic approach that helps to understand historic processes and human experiences in a specific
historical setting. The findings of the study portray that the kingdom of Kafa had its own distinct
defense system and traditional military mobilization for longer years. Among these untold traditional
defense system, Hiriyoo (long ditch) was one of the manmade defensive systems dug deep, long and
wide around the border areas where enemies might intrude the kingdom. In addition, the kingdom dug
Kotino and Kuripo as another supplementary defense system; different insects and natural landscapes;
Hokko (drum) used for communication during military mobilization and Kelloo (land gate) system in all
corners of the boundary until the final collapse of the kingdom in 1897.
means of military mobilization of the kingdom of Kafa prior to 1897. Kafa, located in today’s Southwestern Ethiopia, was historically one of the powerful and independent kingdoms prior to its
subjugation in 1897. In this study, the researcher relied on available previous multiple sources which
include oral testimonies, travel lore, scientific materials and ethnographic data. The researcher
employed ethnographic qualitative analysis method comparing them with historical narratives, which is
naturalistic approach that helps to understand historic processes and human experiences in a specific
historical setting. The findings of the study portray that the kingdom of Kafa had its own distinct
defense system and traditional military mobilization for longer years. Among these untold traditional
defense system, Hiriyoo (long ditch) was one of the manmade defensive systems dug deep, long and
wide around the border areas where enemies might intrude the kingdom. In addition, the kingdom dug
Kotino and Kuripo as another supplementary defense system; different insects and natural landscapes;
Hokko (drum) used for communication during military mobilization and Kelloo (land gate) system in all
corners of the boundary until the final collapse of the kingdom in 1897.