Abstract:
This paper investigates into indigenous weather and climate forecasting practices
among the Arsi Oromoo, a branch of Oromoo people in Oromiya region of Ethiopia in
which Arsi zone is located. It focuses on selected villages and community members. It is
designed to have a qualitative research approach. The fieldwork was conducted
between December 2015 and August 2016. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key
Informant Interviews (KII) were done. Elderly people were contacted as they have old
memories and special care was taken to ensure gender balance. The study found that
elders of the Arsi zone developed an amazing wisdom of observing natural indicators in
forecasting weather condition. This wisdom must be preserved, documented and
disseminated among the scientific community.
