Opportunities and Challenges of Socio-Economic Integration of the Manjo Minority in Kaffa Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study primarily focuses to figure out the nature of socio-economic integration of the Manjo minorities in Kaffa Zone. A qualitative research approach was employed to get depth data to understand and interpret the nature of socio-economic integration of the Manjos. Accordingly, in-depth interview, focused group discussions and observation were employed and a total of 23 in-depth informants, 2FGDs constituting of 8 individuals in each group and who were recruited through purposive sampling. Informants were selected purposefully from Gimbo woreda (yufudo) kebeles and Decha woreda of (Shapa) kebele. Regarding the challenges to participate in all social life matters some of the problems faced by the Monjo communities are;, forced to live far away from villages of people with regular status. And occupied marginal areas, not as productive for farming. The majority of the Manjo communities arestill not out of poverty. The main reason for this is the lack of land. Concerning the opportunities for the socio-economic integration of the manjo communities; religion and marriage also play fundamental opportunities for the integration of Manjo communities. Currently, there is a positive progress of having good relation between the Manjos and others. For example their students have been sharing schools and associated services as well as people also are sharing various public services. Governmental and non governmental organizations are making an effort for the social integration of Manjos, and yet no satisfactory result has been entertained.. Even though there is promising opportunities, there are also undeniable challenges in socio-economic integration of the Manjos with the Kaffa. Therefore, the Ethiopian government and policy planners should plan for longer time frame in promoting the opportunities and handling the challenges of integration.