Modern Pressures Threaten Ethiopia’s UNESCO-Listed Konso Cultural Landscape

The ancient terraced villages of Konso, nestled in the highlands of southern Ethiopia and celebrated for their exceptional cultural heritage, are facing a growing threat. According to local officials, the UNESCO-recognized Konso Cultural Landscape is at risk of losing its authenticity due to increasing modernization and a lack of preservation resources.

The warning comes from the Konso Language, Culture, and Tourism Department, whose head, Serawit Dibaba, told Gazeta Plus that the traditional thatched-roof houses--central to the identity of the Konso villages—are rapidly being replaced by tin-roofed structures. “About 50 percent of the traditional houses have now been covered with tin, endangering their authenticity,” Serawit said.

The Konso Cultural Landscape, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, is the first cultural site in Ethiopia to receive such recognition. The designation was granted in honor of the region’s ancient dry stone-walled terraces, fortified settlements (called paletas), and remarkable wooden memorial statues known as waka. These features reflect a living cultural tradition that has been carefully maintained for over four centuries.

The Konso people have historically practiced a unique form of agroforestry and terrace farming to survive in the semi-arid, hilly terrain. Their villages are fortified with concentric stone walls and follow a highly organized layout, including public gathering spaces and ritual sites dedicated to clan leaders and heroic ancestors. The traditional architecture, particularly the grass-thatched huts with their distinctive shapes, has become symbolic of this remarkable cultural identity.

However, the pressures of modern life are rapidly transforming this cultural landscape. Driven by limited access to traditional building materials—especially the grass used for roofing—and the perceived advantages of more durable materials, many residents are opting for tin roofs. While practical in terms of durability and water resistance, tin roofing alters the visual harmony and architectural coherence of the villages.

“The lack of grass for thatched roofs is a major issue, and there’s also less space to maintain traditional structures due to population growth,” explained Serawit. “But the shift is happening without a proper preservation plan, and that’s where the danger lies.”

In response, the Southern Ethiopia Regional State Culture and Tourism Bureau has initiated a grass-growing program to provide sustainable materials for traditional construction. However, the program remains limited in scope and is yet to reach the villages in significant numbers.

Experts warn that without urgent intervention, the Konso Cultural Landscape could face delisting by UNESCO or suffer irreparable damage. “When the tangible elements that justified the World Heritage status are compromised, the site loses not only its physical features but also its intangible cultural meaning,” said Dr. Alemayehu Wolde, an anthropologist specializing in indigenous Ethiopian cultures.

Critics argue that local and regional authorities have not prioritized the cultural value of the villages, focusing instead on short-term development projects. Moreover, there is little public awareness about the importance of preserving Konso’s heritage in the face of modernization.

Local officials are calling for a multi-level approach to safeguard the villages. This includes increased funding for conservation efforts, government-backed awareness campaigns, training for local artisans, and community-led initiatives that balance modern needs with heritage preservation.

“The solution isn’t to halt development—it’s to ensure that development works hand-in-hand with preservation,” said Serawit. “Our cultural identity is not something to be left behind in the name of progress. It should be the foundation on which we build.”

As Ethiopia continues to grow and urbanize, the case of Konso raises broader questions about how traditional societies across Africa can retain their cultural heritage in the face of sweeping changes. The future of Konso’s terraced hillsides, walled villages, and ancestral monuments now rests in the hands of those willing to act—before centuries of living history are lost to modernization.

conservation

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