The Konso people live in the Southern Central part of Ethiopia. They live in large towns, each governed by a council of elders. They have clan-based societal arrangements which are comprised of nine clans.
Few archeology studies indicates that it was before 500 years ago that the Konso society leave their nomadic/separate way of living style and started gathering in a village called Amba.
These people have developed a defensive style of building, with villages on hilltops, protected by fortifications around them. Their village is known for its graceful composition- stone walled terraces and wood.
Though dwellers have their fences, the Amba village has three main gates according to Geremew Getu, Culture, History and Heritages Study Coordinator within Konso’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Bureau.
There are several piles of stone with the height of 11 meter in different kebeles. Amongst the 36 Amba villages of Konso, only about 12 are registered under UNESCO, as to the Coordinator.
The societies have their own unique living style. They have a dense forest that is used to defend themselves from enemies and recreation.
There are also trees that produce milk like liquid that can be used as a fire extinguisher. So, whenever wild fire occurs, the men will try cut down the tree and use it to stop the fire while the women would be immediately engaged in fetching water to control the fire.
Konso people have also developed their own traditional practices of mourning, wedding, conflict resolution and other aspects of life. Though there are number of Moras, (the cultural spaces inside the walled towns and retain an important and central role in the life of the Konso society) in terms of their service, only three Moras are the main ones. Of which, the first one is used for recreation, second for public discussion while the rest is highly guarded and known as ‘Swear Mora’ which is used to perform Pledge, as to him.
Around these Moras, there are multipurpose cottages which elderly uses the upstairs for nap while the youth use it for night. The children on the one hand will also use it for amusement in day time.
The need for the youths to stay on the cottages is that they are expected to guard the surrounding. In case, any thief enters in to the village, they are the ones who are supposed to close the main gates as thief will not find way out once the gates are closed. The most important significance of the Mora is that if any foreigner found to be in the area, he/she will stay for the night safely.
There is a unique mourning ceremony in the tribe. When a senior person or a person who have children dies, his body will be taken out
through the door however, if the person is young and does not have children, his body will be taken out not in door but after his fence and door are knock down.
On the other hand, in their wedding ceremony marrying a person within the same tribe is highly forbidden. Thus, a person is obliged to choose from the other eight tribes of Konso. The marriage could be arranged or unarranged marriage but mostly the dowry which the groom provides is money.
The Konso people resolve conflicts in two ways depending on the level of the conflict. If the quarrel is between /among families, the case will be resolved by their close neighbors. However, if it is beyond that, it will be presented to the tribe leaders.
Amongst the different Moras in the tribe, the first Mora is where Konso people formulate governing laws. This place is also used for passing decisions or punishments on wrongdoers.
When it is believed that a crime is committed, the tribe will check whether the suspect is responsible for the act or not. If the suspected person admits to making the crime, he will get their punishment there.
Otherwise, the suspect will be taken to ‘Swear Mora’ and pledge that he/she did not make the crime, and then the tribe will leave everything to God and waits for what will happen to the suspect.
However, if the suspect is found guilty and sentenced to pay for his punishment but fails to do so, he/she will face social isolation. The senior persons who lead this system are known as Ata which refers to culture. In this case, senior persons who are responsible, respected, committed and unbiased ones are chosen to lead such system.
The main dish of the society is Moringa leaf. The leaf is included in almost each of their meal. Before they were introduced to modern medication, they used to treat themselves using various medicinal plants to cure diseases.
It is hard to find a Moringa tree without a coffee tree nearby. This is because that since the Moringa tree does not consume more water; it is believed that the coffee tree will get enough water and the society will get adequate product. The communities begin their own New Year on January. They use stars to differentiate a season and they use moon to count days.
Power passes through generation in Holayita Konso cultural administration. It takes 11 to 7 years to pass down power between older and younger ones. While the older governs for about 11 years, the younger will rule for 7 years. When they exchange power, they plant ripe Juniperus Procera (Ye-Tsed Zaf) above all the other trees to indicate they are the rulers.
The people of Konso are well known for preserving their environment. One of such act is that they have beautified their farms with several stones which are put in place to protect land from degradation.
One interesting fact about the people of Konso is that they have developed a habit of working in unity which is administrated by Helta traditional administration system. In summer season for example, they dig a huge hole together to contain rainwater to use it in winter season. This process is known as Arda.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
The Ethiopian Herald May 4/2021
