The Role of Spiritual Beliefs in Protecting Natural Forest: The Case of Uumoo Seeqaa Spirits In Protected Tankaara Forest

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to investigate and identify the Tankaara Oromo spiritual institution linked to natural forest and its values in natural forest management in the sociological lens. In this study, the what, where, and why spiritual values persistently deep-rooted in to the daily natural forest protection of Tankaara-Oromo and their friendly co-existence with natural forest have been discussed and analyzed. The study employed qualitative research approach with qualitative case study due to., the nature of the identified research problem, that is to study peoples‟ experience with the natural forest and their belief systems and practices. The actual study participants have been selected by means of purposive sampling method, from Tankaara. Purposive sampling has been employed in this study, because, the relevant respondents from the target group have been selected carefully, by the researcher, to get reliable and rich data. Ethical issues were respected. Detailed interview, observation, document review are employed data gathering tools. The sample size of this study depends on the saturation of data collected. Data collection and organizations took place in January, 2020 while interpretation and analysis took place in May to July 2020. Tankaara forests have been identified as study area due to their potential reserve which is useful to this study. This study finding indicated that the role of Spiritual Institution contributed to the existence and protection of natural forest, which in turn, natural forests have contributed for the existence of favorable conditions for all lives both human and non-human nature in that area. As a result people of the area enjoyed on spiritual ceremonies due to decoration of natural forest for the case of ritual practice and religion believe. The Spirits is link with natural forest more for ritual practice and religion action. Therefore, there is lesson to learn from Spiritual institution that this study found and more studies recommended to be conducted for more experience.