The Roles of Traditional Beliefs in the Conservation of Forest: The Case of Kaffa, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the role of traditional beliefs and the indigenous intangible ritual practices in forest resource management and conservation among the Kafficho people who live in Southwestern Ethiopia. The study has focused on traditional beliefs in Addiyo and Tello districts. The reason for the selection of the above sites is based on the availability of ritual practices and personal experiences of the researcher. An ethnographic research design was employed in the study. The data were collected through interviews from the purposively selected spiritual leaders, culture and tourism experts and community elders. In addition to this, sacred and preserved forests were observed to collect data. The major findings of the research indicated that the role of the traditional beliefs and ritual practices like Qoollee Deejjoo (thanks giving) and Baaree Qoco (commemorating one‟s father or grandfather‟s belief or practice) are ceremonies that performed for giving special thanks to forest spirit . The fact that the above ritual practices are performed in the forest indicates the long history of the society to protect the forest and the surrounding environment. Based on the research, there are changes and challenges in the role of traditional beliefs in relation to forest management. These challenges includes reduction in the number of participants, the declining interest of traditional wisdom, the expansion and spread of Christianity and disempowerment of local cultural practices, clearances of sacred forests for different purposes like agriculture, searching place for settlement in case of high population growth and overgrazing. However, the capacity of traditional beliefs for forest conservation and environmental protection remain poorly under stood, largely unappreciated and undervalued by policy makers and concerned bodies. By seen the result the study recommends attention should be given by policy makers and concerned bodies for the involvement and contribution of traditional beliefs for forest resource management.