Environmental Change and its Influence on the Cultural Practices of the Bayso of Gidicho Island, Southern Ethiopia
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Date
2025-05-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Gidicho Island and the coastal areas of Lake Abaya were once known for their abundant
vegetation, fertile soil, and disease-free environment, which created a conducive
environment for living. However, these attributes have significantly diminished due to the
environmental changes the region has undergone. This study examined the adverse effects
of environmental change on the culture of the Bayso community of Gidicho Island, with a
particular emphasis on their indigenous belief system and marriage customs. A mixed
methods approach was utilized to understand these themes thoroughly. Qualitative data
were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. Quantitative
data, on the other hand, were sourced from the United States Geological Survey website
and organized to analyze land use and land cover changes in the study area from 1990 to
2020. The results showed that the Bayso people viewed themselves as an essential part of
their environment, a view that shows the natural environment is a foundation of their life,
expressing it as ‘ul hiki enijuromaya.’ Consequently, damaging the environment (ul) has
been regarded as a form of self-damage. Guided by such beliefs and values, they
established remarkable spiritual and local practices to sustain the abundance of their ul.
Nowadays, however, they are suffering from severe environmental challenges that have
damaged their resources. These challenges arise from changes in their perception and value
of their environment, influenced by sociocultural, structural, and climatic factors.
Ethnographic data revealed that human activities such as deforestation and overgrazing are
the main causes of environmental change in the study area. These activities are fueled by
the growing demand for agricultural land, construction materials, and energy. Geospatial
analysis also showed a significant decline in vegetation cover over the past three decades,
mainly because of extensive overgrazing and the conversion of 2,190 km² of forests and
707 km² of shrublands into cultivated land and settlements. Thus, due to severe resource
scarcity, particularly of grazing land, and the spread of cattle diseases, the Bayso have lost
a significant portion of their herds, which were the mainstay of their livelihoods and
religious rituals. Consequently, they were forced to migrate to areas on the west coast of
Lake Abaya. The decline in animal products and their exposure to dominant cultures
disrupted their two cultural institutions, namely, the indigenous belief system and the
extended family that played a crucial role in sustaining their cultural identity. Thus, they
lacked the consecration of Wa'a, ancestral spirits, and ritual leaders, which were essential
for establishing enduring marriages. As a result, there are changes in some elements of
their marriage custom, including a decline in arranged marriage, an increase in divorce and
early marriage rates, and exposure to unwanted sexual behavior. Besides, the decline of
their belief system has disrupted local environmental conservation efforts and exacerbated
environmental degradation. In this context, this study provides insights and mechanisms
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for restoring the Lake Island environment and establishing sustainable human-nature
relationships. Equally, successful intervention strategies suggested in the study could serve
as a model for other communities facing similar challenges. It also contributes to the debate
on the link between environmental change and cultural change.
Keywords: Bayso, Gidicho Island, Environmental change, cultural change, southern Ethiopia
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Keywords
Bayso, Gidicho Island, Environmental change, cultural change, southern Ethiopia