Konso, a Cushitic people of southwest Ethiopia are culturally and religiously rich people. Their colorful and unique funerary ritual that is accompanied by elaborate traditional music instrument accentuated songs and dances is highly fabulous. Besides, the Konso people are marked for their creative and artistic wooden statues called Wagas that commemorate dignitaries in the community. They form a phalanx of Wagas around graveyards with maze-like walkways that lead to the Konso villages. The Waga statue is a living symbol that narrates the stories of deceased husbands, wives, heroes, hunters and other respected personalities.
The Konso community is one of the ancient communities having people not only in Ethiopia but also in the whole east African region. They are culturally and naturally blessed people in Ethiopia, says Yonas Belay, Lecturer of Anthropology at Addis Ababa University.
The Konso community has contributed a lot to the Ethiopian history, culture and social structure. They instituted fascinating culture under their spiritual leadership known as Ayalo family, the founding group of nine Konso clans. At the earliest times, they had generation grading system called xhelta, he stated. Besides, they had a peaceful political transition that mirrors the present-day democratic system. Therefore, peaceful transfer of power had been going from the older generations to the new one based on a fixed time frame, according to him.
Yonas explained that the Konso people have amazing language called Afa’xhonso which is rich in proverbs, riddles, puzzles, figurative speeches, idiomatic expressions etc. and complete in syntax as well. To preserve and develop the language, there were initiations by missionaries towards the publication of a dictionary.
The other fabulous heritage of the Konso community is the cultural landscape of Konso. It is one of the UNESCO’s heritage inscribed in Ethiopian heritages. The magnificent heritage is found in Konso special woreda, in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. It is a peculiar creation of the Konso people. The landscape comprises unique terraced scenery that would amuse domestic and foreign tourists. The landscape that is located 375 miles southwest of Addis Ababa is hugely enthralling to visit. The terracing technique is very important to preserve soil, forests and other natural resources. Moreover, it plays a massive role in combating climate change through preserving biodiversity.
According to Yonas, the landscape is very beautiful and many tourists are eager to visit it. As the first place in Ethiopia to be recognized as ‘cultural landscape’, it would be noted as a living billboard of cultural traditions which descended more than 400 years.
‘‘The landscape depicts eccentric terracing techniques of the Konso people. In addition to this, it demonstrates the shared values, social cohesion and engineering knowledge of its communities,” he insisted. Not only that, protecting scared sites a deep-rooted tradition of the Konso community. As a result, natural and cultural blessings of the people are being conserved and transferred to the coming generation.
Even though, the Konso people have extremely colorful culture, customs and values, there is a lot to be desired to create awareness among the younger generation to develop and promote their indigenous culture and knowledge. Hence, the government, non-government organizations, parents and teachers should play pivotal role in nurturing generations who adore and cherish their culture.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday edition January 19/2020
BY TSEGAY HAGOS
