Objective of the study

-To asses the socio-cultural condition of the woreda

- To identify the potential resources of the woreda
-To give possible remedies for the existing socio-economic and cultural dilemmas

Significance of the study

The survey of this kind is the first of its kind in the woreda. Therefore, it may serve as a cornerstone for
integrated ecotourism development plan of the woreda and it may also induce an interest on researchers
who want to understand the socio-cultural and development of ecotourism as a viable economic base
for the woreda.

Delimitation of the study

The focus of the survey is to analyze the existing socio-cultural potential of wereda endamohoni and to
point out its potential for the smokeless industry in particular attention to ecotourism.

Limitation of the study:

As to the limitation of the study the major problem is time constraint, lack of written materials
specifically for the woreda,lack of support from the concerned officials particularly in giving
information and the presence of awkward officials who did not relate ecotourism with technical and
vocational education of our kilil/region in general and endamohoni wereda in particular.

Methodology
Sources and methods of data collection
Data was collected from primary and secondary sources. The primary data was gathered from
observation by going to the actual field and interviewing the local inhabitants. Interview is carried out
because, most of the elders who could offer reliable information are unable to read and write even in
their vernacular language. For the secondary resources written materials are consulted. The written
materials include national and international published and unpublished documents reputed to famous
academicians of or time.

Method of data analysis and interpretation

Qualitative methods like descriptive methods are used.
 The Ecotourism and cultural Relevance of Endamohoni
Introduction
Ethiopia, situated to the horn of Africa, is one of the greatest civilizations in the world particularly
from 2nd century A.D to 7th century A.D. It is the only Black African country that survived with its
independence. The ancient name of the country is referred as “Abyssinia” and the name of the people is
coined as 'Habesha'. For about three millenniums the country was ruled by emperors, who reputed
themselves as 'God sent'. This continued until the 1974 popular revolution.
The period from 1974-1991 was a dark age for the historic nation. The military junta led by colonel
Mengstu devastated the countries economy and massacred thousands of Ethiopians. For this reason the
military dictator was overthrown by armed struggle of the Ethiopian people particularly the Tigray
Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) and its companions. From 1991 Ethiopia entered into a new history
and its people began to learn the ABC….. of Democracy and today they are exercising a
democratization process through parliamentary democracy.
The country is endowed with variety of natural and historical heritages. Among the historical
attractions we can list the Axum obelisk, the rock hewn church of Laibela, the city of Harar, the
Gonderian palaces, Tiya steles and others. Among the natural attractions we can mention the semen
mountain, lake Tana, the different river basins, landscapes forests of the south and south western part of
the country, and the diversified fauna of the country.
As part of Ethiopia the National state of Tigray is also endowed with natural and historical sites and
heritages. Especially, the southern part of the region is known for its natural, socio-cultural values and
historical legacies. Among the natural attractions of southern Tigray Lake Hashenge, Gira kahsu, the
flat plain of Raya Azebo, mountain Tsibet (The highest mountain in the region), mount Alage, mount
Ambaradom are to mention few.
The district of Endamehoni “Home of the people of Mehoni” is one of the eight weredas of southern
zone. The wereda is endowed with natural and historical heritages. Endamehoni has 18 administrative
“kebeles” one of the “kebeles” of Endamehoni is Tsibet. Which is divided as “Laelay Tsibet “upper
Tsibet and “Tahtay Tsibet” lower Tisbet.
Relative location of Endamohoni
Endamohoni is found North of Ofla, South of Alage west of Raya Azebo and East of the Amhara
regional state. Its climatic condition is largely categorized as Dega/temperate, weina dega/sub
temperate and Semi qola. The dega climatic condition comprises 65% of the total areas of the
wereda.the weina degaclimatic zone consists of 30% of the total area of the wereda.while the remaining
5% of the land consists of the qola climatic zone. (Mulubrhan______)

Potential areas for ecotourism development

Endamohoni has the following Potential areas for ecotourism development:
• Be-alti Nigus/Waeyo: a cave in which emperor Haileselase and his solders were stationed
during the Ethio-Italian war of 1935-1941 E.C.

• The monastery of Abune Guba: established by one of the nine saints who came to our
country in the 6th century A.D to evangelize the country.

• Mount Tsibet and its environs

Geographical /physical feature of endamohoni

1. Topography
The topographic division of the woreda can be summarized as follows.
 Mountains and highlands and cliffs about 80%
 Plateau about 12%
 Plain about 8% of and (Mulubirhan______)
Endamohoni is one of the mountainous woreda in Tigray. Mount Tsibet, which is the highest peak in
Tigray, is located in the woreda. Its height is about 3960 m above sea level. The average elevation of the
woreda is 2850 m above sea level. Generally, the woreda is a high land. Moreover, in the woreda there
are large number of chain of mountains and ridged terrains.
Drainage (Elias)
Since the wereda is mountainous; it has a number of river basins. Some of the basins are gereb guguf,
gereb Dina and gereb wejig.

1. Gereb Dina: it has many tributary streams these are al gereb, hara, boya, indrqan, kurya,
tselia, dejena etc. It flows from northeast to south west. Gereb Dina is the only perennial river and has
larger annual flow volume than other river basins in the woreda.it originates from 3800 m.a.s.l. of the
highlands of the woreda and come down to 1600 m.a.s.l.

2. Gereb Guguf: it has large number of tributary streams. Some of them are sebhi, katin,
shinta, zara, cheleka, teklehaymanot etc.it is generated from the mountains of the wereda in the altitude
of 2960 m above sea level. Unlike Gereb Dina, Gereb guguf is an intermittent river, which flows
towards the east and reached up to wereda raya azebo.

3. Gereb Wejig: in terms of area, length and annual flow volume, it is the smallest basin in the
woreda. It has few numbers tributary streams. River checha is one of its tributary. This river basin
originates from embahasti-Tsibet rigid and terminated in the plain land of raya Azebo at altitude of
1840 m.a.s.l.

Climate of Endamohoni
Based on its location the woreda is categorized under summer rainfall region of Ethiopia. Areas which
are located in this rainfall region receive maximum rainfall during summer season. The woreda receives
maximum rainfall during summer season. As to the data collected by agricultural development and
natural resource office, its average annual rainfall amount is 726.5 mm. Its amount of rainfall can be
grouped under semi desert climate region. In the woreda, there is occurrence of recurrent drought. this
indicated that the area is susceptible to drought. (Elias)
“Ferah Emba”/Tsibet is the highest peak of the National Regional State of Tigray. It is about 3960
meters above sea level. The average elevation of Endamehoni is 2850 m.a.s.l. so it's more of high land.
In addition to this the woreda is covered with a number of chains of mountains and ridged terrain. The
mountain is a very spectacular area of the region. It is found in “wereda endamehoni”/District of
Endamemehoni, located in the Northern part of Maichew town.
To estimate, the mountain may be 12kms from the town, Maichew (the capital of southern Tigray)
“Ferah Emba”/Tsibet is a real paradise of land for me. Anyone can see the lowland areas of raya azebo
standing from mount Tsibet. In addition, one can see. The historic and geographic mountain of Alaje
standing to its north.
The people of Tsibet told me that they can see the light of Mekelle city standing from their
mountain. If you look to the south standing from Tsibet you can see the mountains of Ofla. To the west
we can see the Semen Mountains that are parts of the Amhara regional national state. At the top of
“Laelay Tsibet “there is a spectacular mountain called”Tisbet” to mean “narrow”. This mountain is also
termed as “Ferah Emba” by the indigenous or native people of the kebelle.
At the bottom of the mountain in about 10 kms from the town of maichew we can find 'Tahtay
tisbet' or 'lower Tisbet'. At that very place we find “Afaje” junior school. This school is placed in flat
surface or plain. The school is surrounded by very dense forest of yehabesha tid and eucalyptus trees.

Vegetation Type of Endamohoni

The dominant plant life arround tsibet is Eucalyptus and Junipurus procera”/ “Yabesha Tid”. “Yabesha
Tid is an indigenous plant. This plant needs a high care or protection since it is an important plant to
balance the nature of the environment.
Maichew particle board PLC “maichew particle board halafinetu yetwesene yegil mahber” is
extensively exploiting or clearing the Eucalyptus trees for its factory. This may lead to environmental
degradation and deforestation. So when the factory cut the trees it is advisable to take care for the
environment. Particularly,it is important to conserve the indigenous tree of “yabesha Tid”. This tree is
an important attraction for foreign as well as domestic tourists and for the local people. In my opinion
this area is an important place for Eco-Tourism or for the smokeless industry. therefore it has to be
protected or reserved out of the reach of domestic animals.
In my opinion the study of the area needs a multidisciplinary approach. The agricultural office of the
Wereda ,the Educational office, the zonal Tourism and culture office the “Afaje junior school teachers,
Tsibets kebelle administrative office, the administrative office of wereda endamehoni, maichew
technical college, agricultural college of maichew,administrative office of southern zone ,environmental
protection Authority” “yeakababi Tibeka baleseltan” of southern zone as well as other concerned
individuals and organizations ( governmental and non governmental)and other charity organizations can
play their roles in protecting and preserving this land of paradise. At the top of the mountain there are
different place names. The different places are the following:

1. “Meida Reesi”/ plain head/ peak/ is the peak of the mountain it is this spot that is 3960
meter above sea level. This peak is visible from the town of Maichew

2. Kokhi Reesi / Rock head/peak/

This is the second peak of “Tsibet ”. This peak is visible from the town of Maichew or we can see
it from the town of Maichew.

3. Reesi head/peak
This part of mountain tsibet is not visible from the town of Maichew. It is situated to the west of the
obove two peaks and is visible from the small village called 'Tekea' , a small village lying to its
north western root along the main road to Alaje. In this part of the mountain we can find an ice. The
reason why we find here is that because the area is cliff and it can not get sun light.

4. Rekik Tsedfi/ thin cliff:

This part of the mountain is also visible from the village , Ayba, a spectacular stadium shaped green
plateau to the north side of the mountain. The village of Ayba is growing in to small town and it is
situated along the main road from Maichew to Alaje.

5 .Meida Godagudi /plain of the valley. This part of mount Tsibet is a plain
on the peak used for grazing. Domestic animals such as sheep, horses, cattle, mules and goats are
kept in this grazing land.

6. Segadi:
The lowest part of mount tsibet which is visible from the the side of of the village of Ayba. This
part of the mountain is used as farm land and for grazing purpose.

7. Beati kremti/summer cave/

A cave which serves as a temporary shelter by shepherds and cow boys/cattle keepers during
summer season. In addition according to my informants the cave was used by the local people to
hide themselves from enemies in the past particularly during the derg and Hailesilasie’s period.
 8. Beati kahsay Bayru/cave of kahsay Bayru/
A cave that belongs to a man called kahsay Bayru. According to my informants kahsay was used to
get in this cave to hide himself from brutal enemies.

The culture of the people of Endamohoni

“Seqella” (The Traditional Houses of the people of Endamohoni)
As any society the people of Endamohoni have their own unique culture. The people of Endamohoni
live in their traditional houses called “Seqella”. In addition to the traditional houses or “seqellas” of
Endamohoni there are also houses constructed in modern technology using “korkoro” or corrugated
iron. The literal meaning of seqela in Tigrigna is to mean cottage. These houses are covered their roof
with grass. Their wall is wooden. These houses are traditional and exactly related or attached to nature
or environment. The houses are not artificial or not related or introduced by industrial knowledge and
experience. So these cottages can be important attractions for tourists who came from the civilized
world or the developed world. They have great value of historical, cultural, social, anthropological as
well as other importance.
Historians, anthropologists, sociologists, linguists, geographers and other social sciences as well as
natural science professionals such as geologists, archaeologists, Botanists, Agricultural experts can
collect different relevant information about the people and the environment as well and contribute to
the current effort of the nation against poverty.

Bofe (The Traditional cloth of the people of Endamohoni)

The people of Endamohoni wear a locally manufactured traditional cloth called Bofe. Bofe is the
traditional cloth of the people of most parts of Raya-rayuma ( People of Raya and its surrounding )
including Endamohoni. It is also a traditional cloth for the people of Wejjerat and Enderta.
Bofe is used as “Gabi, Kuta, Netsela, Makanet, Etaq or Gildim, Meshorto” and for other purposes.
In its modern fashion, we can use Bofe to form bags, coats, shert, shorts, trousers, scarfs and for other
purposes.

Hair Style of the People of Endamohoni

The people of Endamohoni have a traditional or cultural form of hair style.
Qunano: The women of Tsisbet give due care for their hair and they have different types of hair
styles. Among the hair styles the dirmamo, gilbich, sadila, game, albaso, ayni and many other hair
styles can be stated.

Rango: Likewise the boys and girls of Tsibet have their own hair styles apart from their parents. The
rango hair style is common among the little boys and girls whose age may range from 3 to 10 years.
The rango hair style is a typical hair style of the Rasteferians or Rastas of Jamaica. It is also used by
different black Africans. In addition the 'Rango' hair style is also used by Central American &
Caribbean peoples.
The origin of the “Rango” hair style is really in Ethiopia particularly in the Northern part that is the
present day of the national Regional state of Tigray. It is in the southern part of Tigray that the boys &
girls grow their hair in the form of “Rango”. The people of Endamohoni seem to worry about their hair
and they used “Tesmi” or butter for their head & Clothes. In addition, they used “Tesmi”/ butter/ to
decorate their walking sticks.

Alibabo:Another hair style among the boys of Tsibet is “Alibabo” or”Kuncnikuncho” or “

chu geti”, This hair style was first probably, originated in the land of Raya & exported with
trade to the western countries and now it is returned to its homeland to Ethiopia particularly
in to Endamohoni from western countries in its modified version as “pank”
When we look about the culture of the people of Endamohoni there is a change and continuity inside it.
The traditional culture is moving for ward along with the modern one in a comparative manner. Here, in
the industrial world & fastly industrializing world it is too difficult to take care off the traditional way
of life. So it is highly valuable to protect the traditional way of life & it should grow vis-a-v is with the
modern culture.

Local foods and drinks-

Korofe
In Endamohoni there is “Korofe”a locally prepared drink. It is much more related with”Tella” the
traditional drink of Ethiopia in general & the people of the regional state of Tigray in particular.
“Korofe” is not as such alcoholic drink & it is assumed by the local people as a drink with potential
energy of carbohydrates. So if any one is healthy and does not have medical prescription he/she can
drink “Korofe” & the “Korofe” can give him/her additional energy to cope up with the cold climate of
the area. By selling “Korofe” the landless women often engage in generating income for them selves
and their families.

Local foods
In addition to this the youth can also participate in preparing local foods such as “ Enjera” “hinbasha”,
Hibishti, & other foods & this in the long run sell it tourists either domestic or interarnational its will
lead as to establish hotels, Bars, restaurants and other service providing sectors.

Animals /domestic and wild/

The land of endamohoni is endowed with different pack animas such as horse, donkey and mule. These
pack animals can be used by the local / domestic tourists/ as well as International tourists or foreign
tourists for transportation. By doing this the local people can get money from the rent of pack animals
and can increase their per capita income and this will be an important step/stage/ to move in to
sustainable Eco-tourism development and this sector will help us to rush out of poverty and to succeed
the national goal of Growth and Transformation plan of our country-Ethiopia.
By integrating different economic sectors such as agriculture, lumbering, mining, trade, Eco-tourism,
Hotel services etc...we can upgrade our in come. Individual as well as societies per capita in come will
grow and this would lead to the full achievement and accomplishment of our five year Growth and
transformation plan.

Challenges of the Tour/Journey/

- Most of us were getting tired since we don’t have prior experience to Climb Mountain. There was no
good organizer that guides us. There was no tour organizer that exactly knows the road or the way to
Tsibet. The only person who was leading the group was Haftu Kalayou from MTC. He has on exposure
to the area since he is descendant / native of the place/ caused “shibta” which is located to the NW of
mountain Tsibet and it si one of the administrative kebelle of Endamohoni Woreda. During our return to
Maichew it was much more difficult than climbing up. Every member of the group was running home
in an in ordering manner. This was really the short coming of the four. There were foreigners with us.
So have to take cane of them b/s they are our counties gusts & helping us in gaining K/g, skill &
attitude. In such tour the group is answerable or accountable for every ones goodness or wellbeing. So
such kind of mistake should & must not be repeated in the coming tour. Members of the group/tour/
should develop hospitality & care for each other.
- At night we were suffered very much Tina & Jill were particularly very tired. And they were unable to
walk in that dark night. They became naughty up on us /Girmay, Haftu & Melaku/. Haftu was guiding
us & Melaku was helping with flash light. In the last we the entire tour group; 23 individuals & Gere’s
dog were returned our town – Maichew peace fully.

Economic activity of the the woreda

Agriculture
Farmland size per household
In 1997 e.c there were 17191 households in endamehoni woreda.the total cultivated land of the woreda
in the same year was 17260.5 hectars.16694 households have households have farmland, which means
that 97.1 of the total households of the wereda.87.85% of the total households of the woreda posses one
and less than one hectare land per household. The remaining 12.15% of the total households have greter
than one hectare of land per house hold. This refers that in this wereda there is a high land
fragmentation .this land fragmentation is one of the reasons for low production.

Crop production:
Endamehoni is suitable for different crops to grow. At the lowest /bottom/ of the mountain before
reaching Afage, “Mashila”or”Loka” /sorghum/, wheat and barely are the dominant crops. As altitude
increases or as we approach towards the mountain the dominant crops are wheat & barely.
The Kebelle of Tsibet is a promising land particularly for cultivating barely. The peasants should be
encouraged to grow particularly barely using modern seeds. So that they will sell their produce to the
Raya Beer share company with reasonable & good prices.
Farmers used to grow and produce cereal and pulses crops. Some of the crops produced by farmers of
Endamehoni are wheat, barely, teff, deqoqo, lentil, chickpea etc…Of these crops, wheat and barly are
the dominantly and commonly produced crops in all the Tabias of the wereda.As to Elias the amount of
production fluctuates from year to year.
The degree of variation is high for instance in 1987/88- production year the total production was
56729.25. Three years later the amount of production become 176379.8quintal. After a year in 1994/95
production the amount of production declines to 100158.5.
One of the prominent factors that determine the amount of production is rainfall. In the woreda
96.98%of cultivated land is rainfeed.Thus crop production in the wereda is highly dependent on rain.
As a result when drought occurs, amount of production decreases and results in migration, famine, and
death.
According to Elias 69 47% of the total respondents said that their annual production is not sufficient for
their annual consumption with their families. However, the remaing 30.52% are reported that their
annual production is sufficient for consumption.
According to Elias in 1996/97- production year, the average amount of crop production per individual
was 2.43 quintal; accordingly, the average amount of food crop that an individual requires for survival
in a year is 1.8 quintal.
The major problems that contribute to low production in the woreda are
 Lack of enough rainfall
 Small land holding
 Traditional method of farming
 Topography and
 Backward inputs.
At the lowest /bottom/ of the mountain before reaching Afage, “Mashila”or”Loka” /sorghum/, wheat
and barely are the dominant crops. As altitude increases or as we approach towards the mountain the
dominant crops are wheat & barely.
Endamohoni is a promising land particularly for cultivating barely. The farmers should be encouraged
to grow particularly barely using modern seeds. So that they will sell their produce to the newly
established Raya Beer share company with reasonable & good prices. By integrating the agriculture,
ecotourism and the beer factory and other sectors we can possibly achive the growth and transformation
plan.

Livestock production
According to the 1999 livestock census of Tigray, Endamohoni had 16836 livestock populaton.The
share of the woreda in livestock population in our region zonal level is 2.2% and 7.7% respectively.

Bee keeping /Honey Production/

As cited by Elias from the 1999 livestock census Endamohoni wereda had 7337 bee colonies. The total
share of the wereda from bee farming in both regional and zonal level was 3.9% and 14.6%
respectively. Bee farming is practiced in both traditional and modern methods.
Lumbering
Lumbering is another economic activity in Endamohoni. Lumbering is the cutting down of trees for
various purposes including for fire wood, construction industry etc…Here it should be noted that
maichew technical college is cutting the forest of Endamohoni and the factory is not planting vegetation
that replace the cleared ones. In my opinion the factory should organize the land less youth in to formal
groups and hence the land less youth can form an association. The youth may cut trees some of the
youth may carry the cut trees and load and unload to and from the lorry. Here it is advisable that we
should carry out reforestation and afforestation programs. Maichew particle board should take the lions
share in the reforestation and afforestation program since it is the sole institution the woreda that get the
chance to cut the eucalyptus tree. Unless the factory takes such measures the environment will be
degraded and deteriorated in the near future.

Mining:
The major rock types identified in Endamohoni woreda are; Igneous (basalts and granite). The granite
stone is widely available. If we extract it; it serves for the people of Maichew who are buying stones
from distant areas like Ayba and other places. In order to eradicate poverty we must work hard.