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Consultative Meeting at Sheka Zone
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Mission |
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To work for the revival and enhancement of bio-cultural diversity and realization of sustainable livelihoods in Ethiopia through Research, Environmental Education, Participatory Mapping, Endogenous Development and Conservation of Ecosystems. |
The indigenous communities of the Sheka area have developed a variety of norms and customs to live together with the forest. Clan leaders and elders’ council have a special institution established to keep social order among the society. They also assist in resolving conflicts and managing natural resources including forests. People in Shekacho have their own traditional belief. Nevertheless, this belief has gradually converted greatly into Protestant Christianity at present day.
Some followers of Protestant Christians are destroying cultural sites such as Guudo (traditional protected area) and burn forests around the cultural sites. This has created conflict among traditional believers and Protestant followers. The objective of the workshop held in Masha and Andracha Woredas on December 20 and 21, 2007 was to start the culture of
resolving conflicts in a peaceful way and pave the way for a dialogue among the two parties. The clan leaders and church leaders attended the workshop. There was a short presentation on the overall cultural and religious rights of the community. After the presentation, participants discussed about the problems between clan leaders and church leaders.
