Oromo Indigenous Knowledge and Practices in Natural Resources Management: Land, Forest, and Water in Focus

Abstract

This study deals with the Oromo indigenous knowledge and its implication in the practices of natural resources management, with the focus on the natural resources that have been thought as fundamental and integrals of their entire lives: land, forest, and water resources. The study was conducted among Nole, Maccaa Oromo of West Wallagga. The study of the predominant human-environment relationship, and the indigenous ecological knowledge and practices of indigenous peoples in natural resources and biodiversity conservation have enormous role in understanding the ever-growing environmental problems, and consequent social problems. Hence, in an effort to understand the cause and magnitude of environmental problems, and to establish prospective measures that would help in solving these social and environmental acute, understanding the community’s worldview and integrated indigenous knowledge that they have been maintained in esteeming and managing the natural resources for healthy coexistence is important. This study employed qualitative research methods. Data used for the study gathered through data collection instruments such as interviews, focus group discussions, non-participant observation, case study, and secondary data analysis. Both primary and secondary data sources were used to compile the data for the study. The study reveals that the Oromo have indigenous ecological knowledge embedded in their worldview, and they have been maintained in wise management of natural resources. Thus, the Oromo worldview considers the organizations of the physical, the human, and the spiritual worlds, as organized and unified systems. The role of human, in this case is protecting and sustaining the equilibrium of the systems; and abiding the established distant and respect for every relations. The Oromo have the knowledge of laws of, and customary laws, norms, values, and the concept of Safuu and Ayyaana in their worldview, which guides their entire actions and relations in the universe. In general, these concepts are important component of the Oromo worldview. The knowledge of these concepts has been used to maintain relations between the physical, the human, and the spiritual worlds among the Oromo. They are believed to strengthen and maintained internal moral quality and unity of the Oromo.