When we examine the semantic of the word Konso, it denotes both the ethnic group and the territory inhabited by the people. Konso is one of the eastern Cushitic speaking ethnic groups and located in the Southern nations, Nationalities and people Regional State at Konso special wereda.

This Ethnic group is well known for the making of its creative work of terracing which is one of the cultural properties of the group like the walled villages, stelae, moras, wakas etc. According to the long tradition of Konso, the main purpose of making terraces is to prevent soil erosion and ensure agricultural productivity for sustainable development in the area.

Terracing is a pile made by contouring stones collected either from the nearest farmlands or from distant places. While making the terracing the sizes are made short when the land is sloppy and longer if it is hilly. This is to prevent the water from entering in to the land and to protect soil erosion.

In this terracing system stone’s or large amount of pebbles or cow dung are put on the plot of land once in every three or four years. This is also to prevent soil erosion and conserve water by protecting against the sun and enables the community to increase productivity by means of sustainable land use.

In Konso, the making of terraces, protection and conserving them is done by the owner. A single individual can posses as many terraces as possible depending upon the type of land on different localities. The terraces are bounded from others by a type of small tree known as degahela or by a bush. The terraces are transferred from one person to the other through inheritance or purchase.

With regard to the agricultural activities on the terraces, oxen ploughing is not possible due to its damages. Instead, a hand digging traditional double sharpened iron handled with a wooden stick tool known as Byra is used. While that of the hoeing is carried out with a traditional instrument known as siblota. Small amounts airing farms and hoeing activities on the terraces are performed both by male and female in the family.

On the other hand, there exists a system of communal labor work on the terraces. This includes, Debbo (Uganda), Mena and Berga. In this respect, Debbo (Uganda) is a type of labor work employed by organizing a group of people, without payment by providing the traditional drink called Cheka, Mena is the other form of communal labor which consists of five to fifteen people hired on contract or daily basis Berga is a type of communal labor which operates reciprocally.

The main crops grown on terraces are sorghum, maize, barley, wheat, potato, coffee, cotton, etc. All the crops are sowed at one time and are harvested at different times when they are ready. Among the variety of crops grown on the terraces, coffee and cotton are cash crops and the others are produced largely for consumption.

The Konso ethnic group has made possible the sloppy and mountain ousterrain productive by preventing the soil erosion through indigenous knowledge land creative works. Currently new terraces are not built except conserving the previous ones. Therefore, consorted efforts should be carried out by the local community, Regional and Federal authorities and other concerned bodies should exert the maximum efforts to conserve this cultural property and transfer to the next generation, as well as to make use of social and economic benefits to the society and the country at large.

Sources: Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture, Authority for research & Conservation of Cultural Heritage.