Asset Details
Do you wish to reserve the book?
Eco-cultural synergy: exploring the links between native trees, rituals, and conservation in Guji Society, Southern Ethiopia
Hey, we have placed the reservation for you!
By the way, why not check out events that you can attend while you pick your title.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Looks like we were not able to place the reservation. Kindly try again later.
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
Eco-cultural synergy: exploring the links between native trees, rituals, and conservation in Guji Society, Southern Ethiopia
Do you wish to request the book?
Eco-cultural synergy: exploring the links between native trees, rituals, and conservation in Guji Society, Southern Ethiopia
Please be aware that the book you have requested cannot be checked out. If you would like to checkout this book, you can reserve another copy
We have requested the book for you!
Your request is successful and it will be processed during the Library working hours. Please check the status of your request in My Requests.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Looks like we were not able to place your request. Kindly try again later.
Journal Article
Eco-cultural synergy: exploring the links between native trees, rituals, and conservation in Guji Society, Southern Ethiopia
2025
Overview
Background
This study explores the profound links between rituals and native trees in Guji society, focusing on their symbolic, cosmological, and socio-spiritual significance in the Gadaa system. Methods: Employing interviews, transect walks, and focus group discussions, data were collected from 43 purposively and snowball-sampled participants, including Gadaa leaders, elders, women, youth, and cultural experts. The analysis was conducted through thematic analysis and qualitative description.
The findings
The findings reveal that native trees—such as
Euphorbia candelabrum var. bilocularis (Hadaammaa), Ficus vasta Forssk (Qilxaa), Vachellia horrida
subsp.
Benadirensis (Hurbuu), Afrocarpus gracilior (Birbissa),
and
Olea europaea subsp. africana (Ejersaa
)—are sacred entities central to rituals like supplication and ancestral commemoration, embodying ecological and cultural harmony as eco-cultural synergy. These trees are protected through taboos and customary rules, reflecting a belief system that personifies them as divine gifts essential for the prosperity and resilience of people. However, deforestation, agricultural expansion, and cultural erosion threaten this eco-cultural synergy. Despite challenges, the Guji employ adaptive strategies, including replanting sacred trees and restorative rituals.
Conclusion
The culturally constructed and symbolically validated connections between rituals and trees—forming an eco-cultural synergy—serve as a testament to a society’s harmonious relationship with nature, where local belief systems and ecology coalesce into sustainable coexistence. Preserving these links underpins the conservation of trees as biocultural diversity hotspots and sustains cultural practices. Thus, there should be implementation of integrated conservation measures that address both ecological and cultural dimensions of native trees. This approach should prioritize community engagement, policy reinforcement, and sustainable practices to preserve the biocultural diversity of Guji society against the pressures of modernity.
