ABSTRACT This study was conducted on a historical account of indigenous laws in the walled villages of Konso to 1991, people of South Ethiopia Region. The objectives of the... more
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted on a historical account of indigenous laws in the walled villages of Konso to 1991, people of South Ethiopia Region. The objectives of the study were to examine origin of Konso people customary laws, the trends of indigenous law during feudal governments of Ethiopia, describe customary judiciary organizations, identify the places of enacting, reforming and replacing laws, discuss issues that can be seen by indigenous laws and point out Penalties laid by customary laws. The methods used to conduct the study include in-depth interview, focus group discussion, field observation, obtained data from published, unpublished documents and archives. The Konso people are one of the ancient people of Ethiopia. They gathered to present areas from Liben and Konso surrounding areas. The Konso people constructed walled villages to protect themselves from external and internal attacks. Konso land and people experienced new administrations from Ethiopian feudal governments and Italian colonial power in the 19thc. Ethiopian feudal governments brought some changes to indigenous law systems of the Konso people. Clan leaders and their house compounds became political centers for new administrations. The Konso built a strong indigenous judicial system before the modern judiciary and justice system arrived in the area. The Konso people law had its own structures. They were cluster sacred drum, walled village, clan and party judiciary organizations. The structures were self-contained and had their own internal structures. The organizations served their entire populations and not compete but complementary to each other. The Konso are children of nine families, clans. The first law course for the Konso children was their clans. Based on times and places of enacting, reforming and replacing laws the Konso law coordination was divided into three regions, Karat, Kena and Turo. Konso law created the ability to judge any kind of problems that were created in the people. The study confirms that it was sentencing punishments ranging from minor to severe punishments to death. The places of enacting, reforming and replacing as well as the Konso judicial places were sacred and "places of truth" where justice prevailed, true not false told. Following the Menelik conquest, Christianity was introduced to Konso. Although the cultural law and structure suffered problems and dangers from the ideology of Christian religions, it continued to be the main belief and justice system of the people until 1974. But after 1974, when the Derg government came to power, it was a difficult and great bitterness for indigenous cultural laws.
This study was conducted on a historical account of indigenous laws in the walled villages of Konso to 1991, people of South Ethiopia Region. The objectives of the study were to examine origin of Konso people customary laws, the trends of indigenous law during feudal governments of Ethiopia, describe customary judiciary organizations, identify the places of enacting, reforming and replacing laws, discuss issues that can be seen by indigenous laws and point out Penalties laid by customary laws. The methods used to conduct the study include in-depth interview, focus group discussion, field observation, obtained data from published, unpublished documents and archives. The Konso people are one of the ancient people of Ethiopia. They gathered to present areas from Liben and Konso surrounding areas. The Konso people constructed walled villages to protect themselves from external and internal attacks. Konso land and people experienced new administrations from Ethiopian feudal governments and Italian colonial power in the 19thc. Ethiopian feudal governments brought some changes to indigenous law systems of the Konso people. Clan leaders and their house compounds became political centers for new administrations. The Konso built a strong indigenous judicial system before the modern judiciary and justice system arrived in the area. The Konso people law had its own structures. They were cluster sacred drum, walled village, clan and party judiciary organizations. The structures were self-contained and had their own internal structures. The organizations served their entire populations and not compete but complementary to each other. The Konso are children of nine families, clans. The first law course for the Konso children was their clans. Based on times and places of enacting, reforming and replacing laws the Konso law coordination was divided into three regions, Karat, Kena and Turo. Konso law created the ability to judge any kind of problems that were created in the people. The study confirms that it was sentencing punishments ranging from minor to severe punishments to death. The places of enacting, reforming and replacing as well as the Konso judicial places were sacred and "places of truth" where justice prevailed, true not false told. Following the Menelik conquest, Christianity was introduced to Konso. Although the cultural law and structure suffered problems and dangers from the ideology of Christian religions, it continued to be the main belief and justice system of the people until 1974. But after 1974, when the Derg government came to power, it was a difficult and great bitterness for indigenous cultural laws.
Konso zone is located south Nation Nationalities and peoples’ Region, south western part of Ethiopia. Karat town is the capital city of Konso. The people of Konso are called Xonsitta means "Konso people" and its language Afaa- xonso,... more
Konso zone is located south Nation Nationalities and peoples’ Region, south western part of Ethiopia. Karat town is the capital city of Konso.
The people of Konso are called Xonsitta means "Konso people" and its language Afaa- xonso, the Cushitic family. The people of Konso live on the hill tops fortified walled town. [1]
The Konso heritages can be categorized as cultural, natural and mixed heritages. Some cultural heritages of konso are stone and wooden statue, waaka and Dhaka dhiiruma, a new year festival, Tuuta, different cultural ceremonies etc. The well known Konso natural heritage is "new York" locally named puypuura. The mixed cultural and natural heritages are ponds, sacred forests etc.
The Konso cultural heritages are registered at UNESCO world heritage sites list in 2011. The cultural properties including the traditional stone wall towns (Paleeta), ward/division system (kanta), Mora (public gathering place), the generation pole (Olahita), the dry stone terracing practices (Kawaata), the burial marker (Waaka), sacred forest (dhina), cultural pond (harta) etc. They are living cultural practices. [2]
These heritages give evidences about past human activities of konso people, are source of identity, interaction, and unity of Konso people. More over them become the source of income. From the national and international tourists millions of birr are collected annually. [3]
The Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional State passed legislation on conservation of Konso Cultural Landscape by proclamation no. 141/2011. "Whereas, it is necessary to conserve and protect the Konso Cultural Landscape heritage to the coming generation that are the result of a long century living practice, natural process and human effort."
The people of Konso are called Xonsitta means "Konso people" and its language Afaa- xonso, the Cushitic family. The people of Konso live on the hill tops fortified walled town. [1]
The Konso heritages can be categorized as cultural, natural and mixed heritages. Some cultural heritages of konso are stone and wooden statue, waaka and Dhaka dhiiruma, a new year festival, Tuuta, different cultural ceremonies etc. The well known Konso natural heritage is "new York" locally named puypuura. The mixed cultural and natural heritages are ponds, sacred forests etc.
The Konso cultural heritages are registered at UNESCO world heritage sites list in 2011. The cultural properties including the traditional stone wall towns (Paleeta), ward/division system (kanta), Mora (public gathering place), the generation pole (Olahita), the dry stone terracing practices (Kawaata), the burial marker (Waaka), sacred forest (dhina), cultural pond (harta) etc. They are living cultural practices. [2]
These heritages give evidences about past human activities of konso people, are source of identity, interaction, and unity of Konso people. More over them become the source of income. From the national and international tourists millions of birr are collected annually. [3]
The Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional State passed legislation on conservation of Konso Cultural Landscape by proclamation no. 141/2011. "Whereas, it is necessary to conserve and protect the Konso Cultural Landscape heritage to the coming generation that are the result of a long century living practice, natural process and human effort."
Research Interests:
Same attempts to document and Preserve Waaka are made. The konso museum was established 2009 with the purpose of preserving waaka that had been rescued from the black market. This is not enough to pass waaka and its tradition to next... more
Same attempts to document and Preserve Waaka are made. The konso museum was established 2009 with the purpose of preserving waaka that had been rescued from the black market. This is not enough to pass waaka and its tradition to next generation.
In the first hand, there is a need for regular registration and documentation work on the existing waaka. This would help to identify the status of the remaining waaka in the konso.
Consciousness creation should be made to make the younger generations in Konso aware of the worth of waaka in preserving their identity, culture and history. The whole community have to protect waaka from theft and illegal trafficking.
Moreover, the waaka tradition can be sustained and modified for contemporary times. Indigenous criteria for heroism, such as hunting and killing, for example, should be transformed for criteria with modern value: success in business, good education, community service, serving in the military, etc.
In the first hand, there is a need for regular registration and documentation work on the existing waaka. This would help to identify the status of the remaining waaka in the konso.
Consciousness creation should be made to make the younger generations in Konso aware of the worth of waaka in preserving their identity, culture and history. The whole community have to protect waaka from theft and illegal trafficking.
Moreover, the waaka tradition can be sustained and modified for contemporary times. Indigenous criteria for heroism, such as hunting and killing, for example, should be transformed for criteria with modern value: success in business, good education, community service, serving in the military, etc.
ABSTRACT The main objectives of this paper are to study cause, course and consequences of the war (1950-53) between divided Korean peninsulas. Korea became colony of Japanese empire... more
ABSTRACT
The main objectives of this paper are to study cause, course and consequences of the war (1950-53) between divided Korean peninsulas. Korea became colony of Japanese empire in 1910 up to defeat of Axis power in WWII in 1945. Independence was followed by the occupation by USSR and USA which resulted in formation of separate South and North states. North Korea attacked south aiming to unify Korea under similar administration and ideology in 1950. The US dominated UN forces sided South while China and USSR Supported North. The three years destructive conflict confirmed the division of Korea until present days.
Study methods used to write this paper are searching internet, read documents downloaded of different files and re-write them again. I tried my best to look in to the history of Korea and related topics before and after 195o. I have used Microsoft provided dictionary to write this paper.
The writing of this paper is believed to benefit anyone who interested to know the history of Korean War (1950-53). Other writers also use it as additional reference. It views the history of Korea in short and precise since 1910-1953.
The main objectives of this paper are to study cause, course and consequences of the war (1950-53) between divided Korean peninsulas. Korea became colony of Japanese empire in 1910 up to defeat of Axis power in WWII in 1945. Independence was followed by the occupation by USSR and USA which resulted in formation of separate South and North states. North Korea attacked south aiming to unify Korea under similar administration and ideology in 1950. The US dominated UN forces sided South while China and USSR Supported North. The three years destructive conflict confirmed the division of Korea until present days.
Study methods used to write this paper are searching internet, read documents downloaded of different files and re-write them again. I tried my best to look in to the history of Korea and related topics before and after 195o. I have used Microsoft provided dictionary to write this paper.
The writing of this paper is believed to benefit anyone who interested to know the history of Korean War (1950-53). Other writers also use it as additional reference. It views the history of Korea in short and precise since 1910-1953.