Molalle cave is one of the astonishing natural tourist attractions in Choke landscape. It is found in East Gojjam, Bibugn Woreda, Waber kebelle. The eye-catching cave is found 61 kms away from Debre Markos, the capital of East Gojjam.
People started to live inside the cave since 1910. By then a family decided to live inside the cave to save their animals from a cattle epidemic occurred in the area. Through time, they accepted it as a course of ordinary life and hence remained there.
The beautiful landscape and the presence of people for more than 109 years, remainder of the ancient way of life, make the cave only one of its kind. The nature of the cave is breath taking, to say the least, particularly its oval shape, as if it’s curved from a single rock by design.
Liknew Ademe lives with his wife and three children inside the cave which he inherited from his father Ademe Mersha. But first, it was his grandfather who started to live there first in 1910. As to the family tradition, it is the last born son or daughter who
unique cave. Currently, the family lives together with their cattle, sheep, and goats.
Liknew says the family’s lifestyle have not caused them any problem in living harmoniously with the nearby communities. “We are living peacefully in harmony. We take part in social life and discharge our social responsibility. I personally have formed strong social bond,” he says adding “the cave life has not hampered our social life.”
Agriculture and the rearing of animals are the major source of livelihood for the families. “I have never dwelled in another place and I don’t have to change it. I am comfortable here.”
The unique nature of the cave and the fact that a family with a cave tradition resides in it is attracting interests. The local administration is planning to promote it as a unique adventure tourist site by putting in place tourism infrastructure in the area.
The cave, which is part of the Choke Mountain, is found 380 kms from Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopian Herald February 14 /2019
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
