Life in the Konso tribe

Residents of this tribe are considered masters of terrace farming (the location of cultivated fields at several levels of the hill, in the form of broad steps).





Center of the region is the town of Konso, located at an altitude of 1650 meters on the river Sagan.



About 150 thousand. Konso people inhabit these arid highlands.



In contrast to the majority of the peoples of Ethiopia, Konso has long lived in the cities, each of which is governed by an independent board of elders.



Person's social status is determined by its age, or rather belonging to a specific generation.



There are 9 clans.



Head of the clan is both his priest.



Artisans are a separate closed social group.



Polygamy is practiced only in well-off families, but the majority of men are content with one wife Conso.



The main occupation of Konso - intensive farming with the use of terraces and irrigation (maize, sorghum, teff).



But still the cornerstone of Konso culture is terraced agriculture,



which allows to obtain solid yields on not very fertile hills and valleys.



For Sale grown cotton and coffee.
Cattle are kept in pens, protecting this trampling fields.





Manure used as fertilizer. Use milk and meat cattle and sheep and goat meat as food.



But the main food - vegetable, other animals - a taboo.





Along with the tree, which is used to build huts, houses of worship and fences, Konso widely used stone.



The stone used to grind grain, sharpen knives and spears.





Around the villages built stone walls that protect against cattle, floods and intruders.







This is the central area of ​​the village.



In the center stands a pole, and every 18 years to tie him a new stick.
By the number of poles can learn how much time there is this clan.



On this area stareshina decide all disputes arising from this settlement.



Here stone, if a man is to smoke it at arm's length above his head he can marry ...







Cute boys ...









As it turned out, today is Thursday, market day, people from all neighborhoods moves on fishing trade.
We stopped near the market and went for a walk on it.











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