Lesur, Joséphine

The Environment, a Long-term Construction: Gamo and Wolaita - 2016.


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Located in the south of the Ethiopian Highlands, Wolaita and Gamo are currently comprised of largely agricultural and densely populated landscapes that rely on the hilly topography, relatively humid climate, and intensive farming practices. One might think that this area and its environment have long been shaped by humans, but archaeological research conducted in the region shows that such anthropic influence is relatively recent (less than 2000 years). Before this, the mountainous region was actually culturally and environmentally isolated. Construction of the modern landscape began around the 15th century. The transition from a completely wild to a completed domesticated landscape is visible in the signature characteristics common to North Omotic populations with similar rhythms, despite the appearance of some local specificities in more recent periods.