The making of dispensable subjects in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia: the relocation of the Gich community as an example

Inconsistent relocation policies by the Ethiopian government have left the Gich community in Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP) socially and economically vulnerable, despite the park's 2017 reclassification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study, using in-depth interviews, discourse analysis, and household surveys, reveals that non-participatory relocation plans have created 'dispensable subjects' among the Gich, while the Arkwazeye community has maintained stability by preserving their social assets. The research underscores the need for targeted government intervention to address the Gich community's challenges, highlighting the unintended consequences of heritage conservation efforts on local populations.

Endeshaw, M. G. (2023). The making of dispensable subjects in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia: the relocation of the Gich community as an example. International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41257-023-00091-2