Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region

The Konso are a large tribe living primarily in an arid region of southwest Ethiopia, and they have adapted to the climate. The traditional villages begin with a compound atop a hill. When that fills, they start a ring around and slightly down hill. As that fills, another ring is built farther the hill. And so on until the hill is filled. Then the process starts again with another hill. Each ring is separated by stone retaining walls.
They are also known for their terrace building. Hillsides near the villages are terraced, with each family having their own area to farm. Unlike other tribes, the Konso keep their livestock in the family compounds. They collect the manure, mix it with ash and use it as fertilizer.
The 1st picture looks over some of the terraced land, and the 2nd looks across a valley from the village I visited to the area they farm. This village houses as many as 5,000 people.
The 3rd picture is a typical gate to a family compound, and the 4th picture is in a compound. Notice it's on 2 levels: the upper for family and the lower for livestock. The carvings in the center mark and ancestor's grave. This would be a hero, having killed a major beast or many enemies.
The 4th picture is a community house where the immediate community would gather for all common purposes. The 5th picture is the upper part of the community building. They say these buildings can last 100 years. This upper space is also where young men sleep. They provide a night watch, fire response, etc.
Associated with the community building is a flat open area as in the 7th picture that is used for celebrations and all sorts of activities. At each of these is a large rock as on the 8th picture. This is for the right of passage. When a young man can lift the rock and throw it backwards over his head, he is deemed grown and strong enough to be considered an adult.
The 9th picture is some of what they make. You can see a man working a loom, and if you look closely, you might see a woman spinning cotton.
The last picture is one of the retaining walls between levels. I'm told this wall is over 400 years old and about 3 meters tall.Läs mer