Publications
Management mechanisms of immovable cultural heritage in Ethiopia: an assessment of heritage protection institutions and frameworks
Ethiopia's immovable cultural heritage management faces significant challenges, primarily due to insufficient skilled manpower, inadequate infrastructure, and limited funding. While the country possesses both legal frameworks at federal and regional levels and traditional heritage management practices rooted in local sociocultural and religious institutions, collaboration among heritage management entities is lacking. This study highlights that integrating these mechanisms could enhance effectiveness, but current gaps hinder progress. The research employed a critical review of literature and organizational documents to assess opportunities and challenges within the country's heritage protection system.
Enset Landrace Diversity and Ethnobotanical Uses in the Gedeo Zone: A Living World Cultural Heritage Site
A comprehensive survey of enset landraces in the Gedeo zone, Ethiopia—a UNESCO-recognized Living World Cultural Heritage Site—reveals 37 previously undocumented landraces, bringing the total to 57, over 100% higher than prior estimates. This diversity underscores the cultural and ecological significance of enset (Ensete ventricosum), a monocarpic perennial plant central to local livelihoods, food security, and traditional medicine. While only four to six landraces dominate cultivation, each serves distinct needs, highlighting the importance of conserving rare and regionally adapted varieties. The study, involving 120 households across 4 districts and 12 kebeles, employed interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews to assess conservation status and ethnobotanical uses. However, socio-ecological threats such as climate change, pest outbreaks, and land use intensification pose risks to this biodiversity, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable conservation efforts.
Enset Landraces: Conservation, Distribution, and Use in an Enset‐Based Agricultural System
Enset, a vital food security crop for over 25% of Ethiopia's population, supports diverse landraces adapted to varied ecological conditions, serving as food, animal feed, medicine, and fiber. A study across Hadiya, Gedeo, Gurage, Kembata Tembaro zones, and Basketo Special Woreda revealed moderate to high enset landrace diversity, with 274 vernacular names recorded but only 106 actively cultivated. Despite this, no significant differences in diversity were observed among sites. Food value was identified as the primary driver of landrace selection and abundance. The research employed in-depth interviews, surveys, group discussions, and field observations to analyze distribution and richness using Simpson’s diversity, Shannon–Wiener, and Margalef’s indices. The findings underscore the importance of maintaining landrace diversity and traditional knowledge for sustainable enset agriculture, resilience, and food security.
Ethiopia: Enhancing Landscape Connectivity Through Agroforests
Agroforests in the Gedeo Cultural Landscape of Ethiopia serve as critical biodiversity havens and landscape connectors, mimicking natural forests to support sustainable agroforestry practices. These systems enhance on-farm conservation, environmental resilience, and livelihoods while acting as buffers against deforestation and fragmentation. They provide habitats for disturbance-sensitive species, conserve native tree gene pools, and facilitate ecological connectivity through corridors and stepping stones. Additionally, the diverse species composition in Gedeo agroforests significantly contributes to biomass and carbon storage, aiding climate change mitigation. Despite their ecological and socio-economic benefits, these agroforests face threats from land degradation, monoculture cash crops, climate change, market limitations, financial constraints, and insufficient technical knowledge.
Key historical events in Gedeo from the Italian Period to the Michelle Peasant Uprising (1935-1960)
This study reveals that the Gedeo people experienced greater freedom during the brief Italian occupation (1935–1941) compared to Ethiopia's long imperial rule, challenging traditional historical narratives. It also documents a previously unrecorded airplane incident linked to Italy's war efforts in Gedeo, using eyewitness accounts and remnants of the aircraft. The research highlights socio-political disruptions caused by Menelik II’s conquest (1895) and northern domination, which weakened resistance against Italian control and later fueled the 1960s Michelle Peasant Uprising. By integrating archival sources, oral histories, and grassroots perspectives, this work expands Ethiopian historiography beyond centralized accounts, emphasizing peripheral regions' agency in shaping local history.
Beyond genetics × environment interaction on quality drivers of Arabica coffee: a review of implication for Gedeo indigenous agroforestry systems under changing climates
Indigenous agroforestry systems play a pivotal role in producing high-quality Arabica coffee by modulating microclimatic conditions, soil carbon, moisture, and nutrition regimes, thereby enhancing coffee adaptability to changing evapotranspiration patterns. This review synthesizes findings from 114 studies on genetics, environmental factors, management practices, and socioeconomic drivers of coffee quality and productivity in Gedeo Cultural Landscape. While climate and environment are traditionally seen as key markers of coffee quality, established management systems—such as shade tree integration and farmer practices—equally influence outcomes. Socioeconomic factors, including technology adoption, market access, infrastructure, and extension services, further shape production standards. The study underscores the need for maintaining specific edaphic-climatic interactions alongside robust management frameworks to sustain quality coffee production under shifting climatic conditions.
Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plant knowledge among three ethnic groups in peri-urban areas of south-central Ethiopia
A study of the Gedeo Cultural Landscape in south-central Ethiopia reveals significant cultural differences in medicinal plant knowledge among three ethnic groups—Sidama, Gedeo, and Oromo—in peri-urban areas. Researchers documented 189 therapeutic plants across these groups, with herbs (36%) being the most commonly used, followed by shrubs (31%), trees (27%), and climbers (7%). The study found notable disparities in ethnobotanical knowledge, particularly between Oromo and Sidama (63.8% disparity) and Gedeo and Oromo (63.2% disparity). Croton macrostachyus was identified as a highly valued medicinal plant among the Gedeo and Oromo groups, while Zingiber officinale held prominence in the Sidama group. The findings underscore the potential for pharmacological investigations while emphasizing the need to document indigenous knowledge to prevent its loss. The research employed semistructured questionnaires, interviews with 189 key informants, floristic inventories, and field observations, alongside cultural importance indices and Rahman's similarity indices for analysis.
Smallholder Farmers’ Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in the Ethiopian Rift Valley: The Case of Home Garden Agroforestry Systems in the Gedeo Zone
Smallholder farmers in Ethiopia's Gedeo zone employ diverse climate change adaptation strategies, including expanding agroforestry systems and adopting modern agricultural techniques. A study of 384 farmers across 18 kebeles revealed that their choices are influenced by factors such as social networks, age, education level, farming experience, household size, land ownership, income, and livestock holdings. Additionally, perceptions of climate change, past crop failures, droughts, frost occurrences, access to agricultural extension services, and information about climate change significantly shape their decision-making process. The findings underscore the need for improved institutional support in rural areas, enhanced climate change education, and stronger social networks to bolster farmers' resilience against climate impacts.
Heritage Management Problems of Megalithic Stones in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia Observations from Tutu Fela and Chelba Tututi Sites
Gedeo, Ethiopia, hosts Africa's largest concentration of megalithic stones, sites of significant historical, archaeological, symbolic, artistic, and commemorative value that could drive local tourism. However, these sites face severe management challenges, including community unawareness about their importance, socio-cultural shifts due to Christian expansion, poor tourism governance lacking legal fee collection, weak protection efforts by local authorities, and insufficient recording or promotion activities. The study highlights the urgent need for public awareness campaigns, continuous documentation, legal frameworks to support heritage management, and national recognition of these sites to preserve their cultural legacy.
Traditional sheep breeding practices under agroforestry system of Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia
Traditional sheep breeding practices in the Gedeo Cultural Landscape prioritize genotype and body conformation for ewe selection, while ram selection focuses on confirmation, genotype, and lamb growth rate. Nearly all farmers (97.2%) select breeding rams, with 58.9% replacing old or undesired rams from within their flocks. Castration is widely used to control unwanted breeding, particularly in Gedeb (58.3%) and Yirgachefe (55%) districts, often for fattening and temperament improvement. The study, conducted through structured questionnaires and focus group discussions with 180 smallholder farmers across three districts, highlights the importance of integrating these traditional practices into sustainable sheep breeding strategies.
Vulnerability of Agrobiodiversity and Agroforestry Settings to Climate Change in Gedeo Zone, Ethiopia
Climate change is significantly altering agrobiodiversity and agroforestry systems in the Gedeo zone of Ethiopia, with notable reductions in average rainfall and increases in temperature over the past three decades. The study identified 65 crop plant species across home gardens and fields, with agroforestry covering the largest portion (108,548 hectares) of the landscape. While crop diversity remains relatively high, species composition varies significantly among sites. Using meteorological data from five stations and Landsat satellite imagery spanning 30 years, researchers found that these changes pose a growing threat to both agricultural productivity and ecosystem stability in the region.
Determinant Factor of Plant Species Diversity in the Organic Agriculture-Dominated System of Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Organic agriculture in the Gedeo Cultural Landscape, Southern Ethiopia, supports high plant species diversity compared to other tropical agricultural systems. The study identified 234 native and non-native plant species across three agroecological zones, with richness and evenness indices indicating significant biodiversity. Plant diversity was influenced by agroecological zone and farmer wealth status, with lowland areas and wealthier farmers showing higher tree species diversity, while midland zones exhibited greater shrub diversity. Herbaceous species diversity remained unaffected by these factors. The research highlights the potential of organic agriculture for biodiversity conservation and suggests that agroecological-based strategies could enhance both plant conservation and livelihoods in such systems.
The practices and dynamics of Baalle, an indigenous governance system of Gedeo (Southwest Ethiopia)
The Gedeo people of Southwest Ethiopia possess a complex, egalitarian indigenous governance system called Baalle, which spans nine grades with eight-year terms and integrates economic, social, political, and spiritual dimensions. This study argues that the Gedeo qualify as a state due to their structured governance (Songo), sustainable land-use practices combining forestry and agriculture, and dense population. However, since their incorporation into the Ethiopian state in the late 19th century, Baalle has been subordinated, with its roles diminished despite post-1991 efforts to preserve it. The research analyzes Baalle's essence, practices, and dynamics across three historical phases (Imperial, Derg, and EPRDF regimes) using narrative interviews, observations, and focus group discussions conducted between 2018 and 2020.
Challenges and opportunities for ecotourism development: A case study in dilla university botanical and ecotourism garden, South Ethiopia
A study on the Dilla University Botanical and Ecotourism Garden, established in 2017 for biodiversity conservation and ecotourism in South Ethiopia's Gedeo Zone, reveals significant potential for sustainable ecotourism development. The garden's diverse flora, fauna, attractive landscapes, cultural resources, and rivers serve as key attractions. Opportunities include the unique natural and agro-forestry ecosystems, proximity to Saron Lodge, and a variety of cultural attractions. However, challenges such as low community benefits, inadequate participation, lack of an ecotourism plan, unsustainable resource use, insufficient accommodation, and absence of local guides hinder progress. The study recommends integrating communities into ecotourism development to address these issues effectively.
Indigenous ways of environmental protection in Gedeo community, Southern Ethiopia: A socio-ecological perspective
Indigenous beliefs, sacred sites, and cultural practices in the Gedeo community of southern Ethiopia play a crucial role in environmental conservation. Sacred forests, protected by social taboos and traditional rules (seera), exhibit higher tree biodiversity and better preservation compared to adjacent non-sacred farming habitats. These mechanisms limit human interference, such as tree cutting or harming wildlife, except for ritual purposes with cultural elders' consent. The study highlights that indigenous knowledge (IK) is an effective tool for conserving degraded tropical ecosystems and mitigating climate change impacts. However, factors like religious monotheism, changing social norms, and the erosion of ancestral beliefs threaten these traditional practices, necessitating formal legal enforcement to safeguard sacred forests.
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