Introduction

Konso is the name of a relatively small area (approximately 500 sqkm) situated in south-west Ethiopia at a latitude of 5°15’ N and a longitude of 37°30'E, which is populated mainly by the Konso people. The topography is characterized by rugged and stony highlands, cut by deep valleys that enter into the heart of the country. The main agricultural area ranges in altitude from 1400 to 2000 m above sea level and the climate is of the dry montane type with temperatures ranging from below 15 °C at night to 32 °C during the day at the hottest time of the year. The Konso Highlands run across the Rift Valley in an east-west direction and are situated in the dry belt of Ethiopia with an unreliable rainfall not exceeding 800 mm per year. There are two rainy seasons: the big rains are concentrated in March and April and the small rains fall around October and November. In general, the rains come in the form of violent thunderstorms which seldom last more than two hours (Hallpike, 1972). The Sagan River forms the eastern and southern borders of Konso, while to the north the great plains of Gomida and Lake Shamo and, more to the west, the Gidole mountains and the Woito Valley form natural boundaries.

The Konso are a small tribe of about 60000 people (Minker, 1986). Their language belongs to the East Cushitic group (Hallpike, 1970).