The Roles of Indigenous Knowledge to Heritage Conservation and Tourism Development in the Historic Churches of South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

Indigenous Knowledge ,Heritage Conservation ,Tourism Development

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge processes for conserving cultural heritage have often been overlooked, with more emphasis placed on libraries, archives, and museums. Nonetheless, Ethiopian churches and monasteries hold valuable material culture encompassing sacred and secular knowledge. Custodians of these resources and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, local communities should actively participate in conserving cultural heritage for future generations and developing tourism. Thus, this study aims to investigate the role of Indigenous knowledge in conserving cultural heritage and tourism development within the historical churches of the South Wollo Zone. The study employed a qualitative research design with nonprobability techniques (purposive and snowball). The study drew on a combination of primary and secondary data sources. Primary data, along with semi-structured interviews with 16 key informants, three focus group discussions with 18 participants, and field observations. The study found that monastic communities possess wide Indigenous knowledge related to heritage conservation and tourism development, including ancestor worship, handicrafting, traditional church schools, and spiritual healing. This knowledge is transmitted through family, friends, and local leaders, but its preservation and further development remain inadequate. Challenges to the effective use of Indigenous knowledge for heritage conservation and tourism include a lack of recognition, weak knowledge-sharing cultures, insufficient records, mistrust, and individualism. Despite these challenges, the research underscores the potential of Indigenous knowledge to enhance heritage conservation, tourism development, cultural preservation, community history, income generation, employment, and relationships between communities and visitors.