Arts and Social Sciences Journal

The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Rangeland Management in Yabello Woreda, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Dika Godana G

This study was conducted with the main objective of assessing the role of indigenous knowledge of Borana pastoralists in managing rangelands. The study hopes to contribute ideas (or methodology or facts or data) to policy makers, planners and or anyone who intends to conduct a study in the similar theme. To this end, the main data for this study were emanated from both primary and secondary sources. In order to analyze qualitative data the researcher was called for discussion of the ideas, opinion and concepts of collected data. But, for quantitative analysis of data Microsoft Excel program were applied to present the results in the form of charts, graphs, percentages and tables. The study has showed that the mobility, herd splitting, customary institutions and traditional enclosure (kaloo) are identified as the main indigenous knowledge of Borana pastoralists in rangeland management. The problems affecting the productivity of rangeland should explicitly be regarded as community and societal problems and not simply the only concern of pastoralist. Communities and concerned bodies should stand beside pastoralist in supporting and integrating indigenous and technical knowledge for sustainable management of rangeland.