In the southwestern part of Ethiopia, approximately 580 km away from the capital, Addis Ababa, there is a community closely connected to nature where environmental stewardship is a daily activity. The name “Konso” symbolizes the hardworking people who have built a remarkable legacy through the sustainable land use and conservation efforts.
The topography of Konso is diverse, featuring a varied landscape of plains, high plateaus, rolling hills, and rugged mountains. The community primarily inhibits mountainous areas where they have exceled in the art of terracing techniques and enable them prevent soil erosion, preserve biodiversity, promote deforestation, and sustainably manage their living environment.
With traditions dating back 500 years, the Konso community does not shy away from climate-related challenges. Understanding that there is no better option than working in harmony with nature, the community has devised various environmental protection mechanisms to sustain their villages. Even though they are experiencing reduced rainfall and other natural calamities that threaten their livelihoods and may displace them to other areas, the Konso community remains resilient.
Long before the world became aware of climate related challenges and the adverse effects of unpredictable weather patterns, the Konso people of Ethiopia had already begun taking proactive measures to conserve their environs and combat environmental threats, without relying on external funding.
Kalla Gezahegn, 60, is one of the elders of the Konso community. When the writer of this piece passed through their villages, Kalla was busy in maintaining stone walled terraces. Even though he is not sure when and how the terrace system began, he believes that it forms the foundation of the community’s livelihood, conserving their environment and protecting them from climate change related challenges.
Thus, honoring the traditional knowledge of terracing systems passed down from forefathers, he applies it effectively, recognizing their significant role in the community’s survival.
“I know these terraces were built by our forefathers and passed down through generations to reach my own. I feel a responsibility to pass this wisdom on to the next generation.”
According to him, building terraces is not a luxury for the Konso people, but a necessity for sustaining life. Kalla explained that, Konso, as a society, practice mixed agriculture in mountainous and hilly areas. Such practices are not feasible without utilizing terrace techniques. “Without them, the rains would wash away our crops, leaving us without food.”
He is also grateful for the wisdom of our forefathers. “Thanks to the wisdom of our forefathers, the terraces are built to be strong and resistant to damage,” Kalla stated.
As an elder, it is Kalla’s and its age mates’ responsibility to maintain these terraces, especially when they are damaged or washed away by the rainy season. The main reason for constructing these terraces is to prevent soil erosion and increase crop yields. This is why they take terrace maintenance so seriously. “It is for our survival,” said Kalla.
Serawit Dibaba was born into the Konso community and comes from elite group devoted to bridging the gap between elders and younger generations. Serawit elaborated on the three natural conservation systems that his community has developed over generations. The first is forest reserved areas owned by each of the nine tribe leaders of Konso. These forests have been preserved for generations and are considered as the lungs of the community. They not only help prevent climate-related impacts but also serve as educational tools for future generations.
The second system is their method of cultivation. The terraced agricultural system of the Konso stretches across the rugged hills at 1,400–2,000m above sea level. The community practices mixed farming; and primarily grows millet, which is used to make Chaka, a traditional drink. Currently, they harvest over five different types of millet, as well as coffee, cotton, soya bean, corn, banana, chat (khat), and papaya.
They also grow Moringa stenopetala, a tree known locally as ‘Haleko’, whose leaves are eaten with balls of millet and meat. These trees can be found at every terraced farm, as they also help stabilize the soil on the terraces.
What makes the Konso people unique, Serawit continued to explain, is that they do not use oxen for plowing, as they could damage the carefully built terraces. Instead, they use a specially designed digging tool.
“Our people have planted indigenous trees in a reserved area called Dina. These forests are used by the community to extinguish fires and help maintain the climate. Strategically located near villages, these forests provide fresh air and help prevent natural disasters like wildfires. Fire-extinguishing plants are found in every village in Konso.
Another unique aspect of the community is their soil and water conservation practices, known as Qorima Paleta or Quarry pile. This system helps protect crops and communal areas from natural disasters such as flooding. Keba, which are piles of rock, help the irrigated water to smoothly distribute to cultivated land.
The Konso community also has a traditional water harvesting system called Harta, where they utilize stone-lined ponds to prevent water leakage, evaporation, and contamination. This ensures a stable water supply and protection from disasters.
Living in the Konso Mountains, the community has adapted to the challenges of their environment by residing in the highlands to avoid floods and wildlife encounters. They have learned water and soil conservation practices through experience, overcoming hardships independently.
By practicing these conservation methods, the Konso community can protect themselves from natural disasters like flooding and landslides, despite facing challenges like low rainfall and drought, Serawit said.
The Konso community, who once contributed in water reservation system at the local level, is now sharing their conservation practices with neighboring villages. They are demonstrating the effectiveness of their methods in water and soil conservation. However, the natural conservation practices, terracing systems, and traditional way of life of these people have not been thoroughly studied at the desired level, Serawit said, adding that they can serve as a model for other East African countries.
True, the Konso people have a unique relationship with nature, relying on forests for their livelihoods and practicing communal conservation efforts. Their conservation practices could serve as a valuable example for other communities in East Africa.
The Konso people work together targeting to maintain their terraces and forests, with each tribe leader overseeing the protection of specific areas. When damage occurs, the community mobilizes themselves to repair and maintain these vital resources.
Furthermore, they value their traditional practices, such as planting trees to replace those that are cut down, using indigenous trees for construction and other purposes, and safeguarding their environment for future generations.
In Konso tradition, young people are duty-bound for maintaining the terraces that surround the villages, ensuring that these structures remain intact for years to come.
However, Kalla did not leave without mentioning the threat he faces in trying to preserve the current system by engaging the youth. The biggest challenge arises when young people move to cities, missing out the opportunity to learn how to build and care for the terraces. They also lose their connection to the land, making it harder for them to understand the importance of this work. They also lose their connection to the land, making it increasingly difficult for them to understand the importance of this traditional work.
“In the past, we made efforts to keep this knowledge alive by involving children from a young age. We taught through hands-on experience, gradually increasing responsibility as they grew. However, for those who leave for cities, it becomes challenging to convey the significance of the terraces.”
As an individual and government officer, Serawit is deeply concerned about bridging the gap between the elders and children in order to sustain the long-standing practices of the community.
The community’s dedication to sustainable practices, like cultivating water reservoirs (Harta) and preserving quarry piles of rocks (Qorima Paleta), demonstrates their strong commitment and harmonious relationship with nature, environmental conservation and community welfare.
The Konso Cultural Landscape was officially recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011. This is a good starting point, but replicating this practice is a cost-saving mechanism to help save the world from unpredictable climate change impacts.
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2025
