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THE ROLE OF OROMO INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION: THE CASE OF KUTTAAYEE OROMO IN AMBO DISTRICT [Abstract ID: 1209-01]
An indigenous knowledge in disaster management and protection is essential for the sustainable disaster management and health of the natural environment and its inhabitants. In Africa, there are many indigenous environment management and disaster control mechanisms. The people of Ethiopia have developed detailed interactive knowledge of the heavens, of the Earth, of the weather, of the animals, of vegetation, of the water, of the soil, of crops, of insects, and of environmental and nutritional requirements, properties and peculiarities. This work addresses the indigenous knowledge of the people of Oromo in disaster management. Responses to disaster, interlink of traditional worldview and natural disaster prevention and management are also discussed. The data show that indigenous knowledge is playing a significant role in keeping the balance of ecology and minimizing environmental degradation. This knowledge is mainly supported by a worldview, values, and norms. The research confirmed that the attachment of this knowledge to norms and values in turn contributed for the sustainability of the knowledge for centuries. Though the functions of this knowledge are getting slower in some cases, the conversation with informants and research participant show that yet it is contributing for improving for environmental consciousness and environmental hazards managements. The data was obtained from primary sources, and from key informants through interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and observations, and was analysed qualitatively.