The Socio-economic Challenges of Weavers and Potters in Mari, Mansa and Tarcha Zuria Woredas, Dawuro Zone, SNNPRS

Abstract

Craft activities that are discussed in this study are only pottery and weaver craft activities and the aim of this study is to explore the socio-economic challenges of artisan involved in pottery and weaver craft activities. The study identified the major challenges, constraints, and opportunities of artisans in Mari, Mansa and Tarcha-Zuria Woredas of Dawuro Zone. In this research, qualitative and quantitative data were used to investigate the socio-economic challenges of weavers and potters. The methodologies used include household survey, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and observation to generate primary data and a descriptive statistical analysis was utilized to present results and discussions. In this study, the data was collected from all house hold of artisan, because in sampling technique it suggested to use the entire population as sample when the study area population is small. This is for the fact that the total population of the artisan in the study areas is counted about 126 households. Although the findings show that craft activities play a significant role both culturally and economically in the study area, the living status of the majority (95.2%) of artisans is very low both socially and economically. Thus, artisans (weavers and potters) have suffered from prejudice and isolation from economic and social life in the community. In addition, poor or low access to social services and lack of institutions aggravated the challenges of artisans in the study area. Furthermore, lack of skill improvement opportunities, poor institutional environment, absence of infrastructure such as road together with undulating topography and lack of credit service contributed and further exacerbated the problems of weavers and potters in the area. As revealed in this study, market access, community attitude, absence of government support, issues related to infrastructure, institutional arrangements, socio-economic barriers and other structural factors are making the life of artisan miserable. Thus, to avert the existing challenges and change the livelihoods of artisans, responsible and concerned bodies should support them and promote their products in order to preserve the indigenous craft activity in the area, which has a vital role in reflecting the culture and supporting the economy. The local government should also act proactively in addressing the policies, strategies and other human rights issues that are set to address the rights of minorities and disadvantaged groups.