Moora: A Study of the Public Place and its Multiple Purposes Among the Konso People of Southern Ethiopia
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Date
2011-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This ethnographic fieldwork was carried out from 21stJanuary up to 10thMarch 2011 among the
Konso people of Southern Ethiopia. The main objective of the study was to explore the origin,
meaning and functions of the Moora of the Konso people of southern Ethiopia as well as the
changes it is presently facing. With this aim, the study examines the elements, usage and function
of Moora in different cultural domains of Konso people and change and continuity with regard to
the Moora.
The methods used to conduct the study include: participant observation, in-depth interview and
focus group discussion. Although I encountered some challenges mainly with regard to difficulty
to talk to farmers as the fieldwork was conducted during an important agricultural time, shortage
of time and financial constraints, I tried my best to gather necessary information I was interested
in.
The findings of this study reveal that regardless of the prevalent changes, the Moora retains a
central role in the social, political and religious life of the Konso people in the past and present.
Moora contain several elements such as the big thatched house, the open free space, the
generation poles, the flat stones, the stones of manhood, the circular stones, the tree for shade
and the animal compartment. Each of these elements has its own symbolic meaning.
Since the structure, form and function of Moora can vary, the elements found on them also vary.
For instance, none of the outside town Moora has a thatched house, flat stones and an animal
compartment, while the generation pole and circular stones are commonly found on every
Moora, whether inside or outside the town
The data shows that there exist different types of Moora serving different purposes. Moora are
public assembly places for the resolution of dispute. Moora are a place of informal learning and
the dissemination of information. They are public sleeping places for male members of the
community. They are experience sharing places for males from childhood to old age. Together
with this, Moora is a place where different types of Konso dances and plays are performed.
Moora are places where remembrances for the past generation are staged. Moora is a
traditional guest-house and a shelter for refugees in times of crisis. Christian churches also use
open field on the Moora as conference rooms. Modern health officials use Moora as a place for
vaccination. Trainings on the transmission of certain diseases and prevention mechanisms are
also thought there. State’s political election process is held on the Moora.
The study shows that the spread of Christianity (Orthodox and Protestantism) challenged the
indigenous culture of Moora: traditional religious practices are considered as works of evil
spirits and the swearing Mooras within which cursing and swearing take place are meaningless
for Christians. Expansion of modern school system has much been contributed to the weakness of
the indigenous culture of Moora as children spend much of their time at these schools. As a
result, the role of Moora as a center of informal learning through which they learn social values
and norms have undergone significant change. The indigenous role of Moora as a center of
Konso political activity has been undermined by the modern legal court system as people prefer
to take their cases to modern judicial institutions. The deterioration of ecological condition of the
area has a great impact on the culture of Moora as it is challenging to get woods and grass of which thatched houses are built.
Finally, despite momentous challenges it is currently facing, the Moora, however, is still
maintained and gives multiple purposes for the people.
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Social Anthropology