Indigenous Survival Strategies in the Face of Famine the Case of Boorana Oromo, Southern Ethiopia
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Date
2002-06
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AAU
Abstract
The main aim of this study is to investiate the indigenous survival strategies of Boorana in
the face of famine. To this effect different research methods are employed. Some of these
are participant observation, case studies, interviews and analysis of secondary of the
data.
The results of the study show that though the Boorana experienced famine many years
before and in the past few decades, they have been recurrently facing this crisis. It also
shows that to cope with this crisis, the Boorana have developed their own mechanisms.
These mechanisms are the development of indigenous (customary) resource
management strategies, i.e. land, pasture, water successful herd management, cultural
early warning system, food rationing, resorting to faming food, mobility strategies
dependence on market and the like. It also shows that the households respond to famine
differentially depending on their resources.
In addition, the Boorana have developed social institutions which have roles in resource
mobilization, exchanges and upon which households rely during normal and crisis time.
These social institutions are part and parcel of the Gadaa system. The study also found
out that the Boorana try to involve themselves in non pastoral activities as a means to
survive famine. Some of these strategies are recently introduced. This shows the aspects
of change and continuity in their coping mechanisms