“From birth to death, the life of the Gedeo people is intertwined with forests. At birth, a Gedeo child is received using Koba, an Enset(False banana) leaf, and at death, the body is wrapped in the same plant,” said Derbe Jino, head of the Gedeo Zone Culture and Tourism Department, in an interview with The Ethiopian Herald. He emphasized that beyond its symbolic use, Enset remains the primary food source for the Gedeo people, highlighting its profound cultural significance.
“Coffee, Enset, and trees are vital for the Gedeo community, and their socio-economy depends on these natural resources,” Derbe reiterated. The Gedeo people maintain a harmonious relationship with nature, treating forests as sacred. Their way of life is fundamentally linked to these resources.
Gedeo is one of the most densely populated areas in Ethiopia, enriched by its rich indigenous traditions and extensive forests. The community protects nature, and in return, nature blesses them abundantly. This nature-friendly indigenous tradition has persisted for over 5,000 years.
As global issues like deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change dominate the news, the Gedeo people of Southern Ethiopia present a compelling counter-narrative rooted in ancient tradition. Despite its dense population, Gedeo remains green and ecologically sound—an outcome of indigenous knowledge and cultural wisdom passed down through generations. Derbe noted that Gedeo’s sustainable practices can offer modern solutions to climate change.
At the heart of Gedeo’s tradition lies Babo, an indigenous environmental conservation system that integrates the natural world into daily life, rituals, and governance. This system connects ecological responsibility to the moment of birth in a Gedeo household. “When a child is born, the family is expected to plant five seedlings,” explained Derbe. “These trees are cared for meticulously until they mature, symbolizing the growth of both the child and the environment.”
The Babo tradition extends beyond ceremonial planting; it serves as a community-wide governance system. Cutting down a tree without community approval is strictly forbidden. “If someone wishes to cut down a tree for a specific purpose, they must present a convincing reason to local leaders. Only after careful evaluation might permission be granted, and even then, the individual must plant five seedlings for every tree removed,” he added. Those who violate this protocol face social punishment. This tradition has been preserved for over 5,000 years.
In recognition of this enduring bond between the people and their environment, UNESCO inscribed the Gedeo Cultural Landscape on the World Heritage List in September 2023. This designation was announced during the 45th extended session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Gedeo Cultural Landscape comprises seven sites that reflect Gedeo’s generational wisdom, maintained for over 5,000 years.
Located in the Gedeo Zone of Southern Ethiopia, the Gedeo Cultural Landscape exemplifies sustainable coexistence with nature. Its seven sites consist of sacred forests with cultural and historical significance, alongside other historical assets. These sites, some densely forested and others adorned with sacred stones or used for traditional healing, have been protected by generations of Gedeo communities. Notable sites include the Birbirato Dense Forest, a rock art area, and Bolocho Mountain, home to medicinal plants.
Among the most iconic landmarks are over 6,500 stone obelisks found in the Gedeo Zone. Derbe noted that approximately 10,000 stone obelisks exist in East Africa, with over 6,500 within the Gedeo Cultural Landscape. These obelisks serve as cultural signifiers, rooted in the spiritual, traditional, and administrative systems of the Gedeo people. Thus, Gedeo’s conservation efforts encompass more than just trees; they include historical, natural, and cultural assets.
The Chelba Tututi site, one of the seven sites within the Gedeo Cultural Landscape located in Yirgacheffe District, houses over 1,565 obelisks, the longest stretching eight meters. Each obelisk is meticulously shaped to reflect societal traditions. The shape and style of these obelisks, particularly those with symbolic carvings, mirror the headdresses of Gedeo’s traditional leaders, who play central roles in cultural and ecological governance.
In Gedeo’s traditional power structure, community leaders serve an eight-year term, after which leadership is ceremonially transferred. Derbe emphasized that this tradition has persisted for 5,000 years. “This culture is a rich resource for Gedeo, now recognized as a world resource following its UNESCO inscription.”
The Gedeo people are also celebrated globally for Yirgacheffe Coffee, known for its exceptional taste. This coffee is cultivated in a multilayered agroforestry system, where large trees, cereal crops, and coffee plants coexist harmoniously. Derbe noted that coffee harvesting tourism is attracting both local and foreign tourists to the area. With the ecological beauty and UNESCO’s recognition, Gedeo Zone is experiencing a surge in tourism.
Gedeo also has traditional Songos, institutions functioning as customary courts and reconciliation centers. Derbe mentioned that there are currently over 700 local Songos in Gedeo. “These Songos meet regularly to provide justice, resolve conflicts, and maintain societal harmony,” he stated. They also serve as community gathering spaces, reflecting the integration of governance, culture, and social well-being.
The inscription of the Gedeo Cultural Landscape has attracted global interest, drawing visitors from Europe, China, the Arab world, and beyond. Tourists come not only to see ancient obelisks and lush forests but also to participate in coffee harvesting tourism, combining ecological appreciation with cultural immersion. Derbe encourages both local and foreign investors to explore opportunities in the hotel and service sectors, particularly in areas rich with natural beauty and cultural heritage.
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 24 JULY 2025
