1. Farm to Table in Wolaita
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

2. Farm to Table in Wolaita
How do Ethiopians cultivate and utilize native crops for today and tomorrow?
Information gathered from on site observations and interviews with the Wolaita people provide valuable resources on the following topics:
Ethnobotany in Wolaita
Importance of home gardens
Indigenous traditions associated with foods
Wolaita Livestock
Using traditional knowledge combined with modern gardening/farming techniques
to overcome environmental challenges
Indigenous Ethiopian Technology & The Modern Maker Movement
Cultural Knowledge Embedded in the Crafting & Use of Tools: hand made tools for
everyday use in Wolaita
Creating String from the Common Milkweed Plant
Create Makerspaces and Organize a Trash Faire
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

3. Farm to Table in Wolaita Curriculum Unit Ethnobotany in Wolaita
a Section 1: Importance of Home Gardens a
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

4. Importance of Home Gardens
Ethnobotany in Wolaita
Importance of Home Gardens
a Observe herbaceous plants and trees located both in urban & rural gardens around Wolaita homes
a Compare urban and rural gardens surrounding people’s homes and note:
Proximity of garden to dwelling
Aesthetics (beauty & organization) of the garden
Similar plants in both urban & rural gardens
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

5. Comparison of Urban and Rural Home Gardens in Wolaita Culture
Gardener cultivating a garden on school grounds in urban setting
Rural village home garden
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

6. Ethiopia Fulbright Hays 2017 University of Pittsburgh
Home Gardens
Rural Home Garden
Urban Home Garden of M. Jobo
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh
Darla L . Gerlach, EdD
Urban Home Garden of T. Labiso

7. The Importance of Home Gardens
Home gardens are important sources of food, fuel, medicine, spices, construction materials, aromatic herbs, and they are vital for the conservation of a wide variety of indigenous plants that represent cultural value of the households that create and manage these gardens. Home gardens are close to the home where they can be maintained and accessible to family members.
Indigenous wisdom of a home gardener:
“Coffee plants are placed close to the home so that the smoke emitting from the small wood-burning fire within the home will flow from the home’s window onto the leaves of the coffee tree. This smoke will help the leaves on the tree at the time of harvest. In addition, each ripened bean must be picked separately; otherwise, the tree will be destroyed.” (Ganbaro & Marta)
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

8. Other Gardens Located in Urban Areas
Sodo Comprehensive Preparatory: Vegetable Gardens cultivated on the school grounds as well as Coffee and Fruit Trees
The idea of planting and preserving indigenous trees is also represented in schools in Wolaita culture. Trees provide shade from the intense sun for students. In addition, various plant and flower species provide beauty to the school environment. Students study outside the classroom on school grounds for all subject matter (art, music, history, mathematics, English, etc.) Reference: Abraham Kebede
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

9. Vegetable, herb & flower garden at Wolaita Cultural Center (urban area)
Soda Christian Hospital (urban area)
Garden designs created by:
Alice Karnes
Biodiversity of home gardens: Vegetable, flower, spice plants & fruit trees are planted together.
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

10. Coffee prepared from coffee tree leaves & herbs
salt
areti
besobila
Both urban & rural gardens provide valuable indigenous herbs & spices for traditional practices.
Coffee leaves are prepared with spices for coffee.
ashuncha
debuwa
Coffee prepared from coffee tree leaves & herbs
mulla
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

11. Home Gardens & The Community Market: Commerce & Communication
Home gardens are generally maintained by women, and they generate income for women. As this income increases, it can be used for their children’s education and nutritional needs.
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

12. Ethnobotany in Wolaita
a Section 2: Indigenous Traditions Associated with Foods a
Observe the connection of food and family in
Wolaita culture
Observe the preservation of traditions to honor Wolaita heritage for future generations
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

13. Indigenous Traditions Associated with Foods
Ginger Root: popularly used for stomachache & respiratory problems
Mulla: spice is ground & combined with boiling water to wash an infant; herb can be rubbed over a woman’s body after giving birth
Porridge (made from false banana, tef or maize combined with boiling water) & spices: ginger, red pepper, garlic, butter & salt. This mixture is used to cure influenza; “consume when very hot and you’re immediately cured”; it also provides necessary carbohydrates
Procedure for the cure: An individual scoops a portion of the red pepper & porridge with a “horn spoon” ~ crafted from the horn of an ox, cow, large goat from the village
Horn spoons displayed in the Student Center at Wolaita Sodo University
Red pepper is placed in the center of a bowl of porridge and other spices are placed outside of the center of the porridge
Reference: Martha Goa & Ganbaro Ganamo
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

14. Indigenous Traditions Associated with Foods
A traditional dish, Mucho, is prepared for special occasions such as a guest in the home, the new year (Sept. 1 and again on Sept. 17) or when a boy gets circumcised. Recipe: mix enset (from false banana), butter, milk and spices~cardanut-red pepper, garlic, salt, black pepper and then bake. Mucho is served with bread.
A horn spoon is used as an utensil.
In Wolaita, food is eaten with the right hand. To show affection in the family, for example, raw meat prepared at home is given to the wife by her husband and the manner reversed.
Reference: Martha Goa & Ganbaro Ganamo
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

15. Other gardens located in urban areas: sacred sites: churches, monasteries
There are many varieties of indigenous trees planted in Wolaita Orthodox churches, mosques and monasteries. Trees are not cut in these areas. The reason for this is that the tree’s growth toward the sky represents “reaching arms” toward God. This illustrates one’s closeness to God. Particularly in monasteries, students have a quiet place to learn about religion. The trees, various species of plants and flowers provide beauty to the environment. (reference: Abraham Kebede)
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

16. Ethnobotany in Wolaita
a Section 3: Wolaita Livestock and Environmental Challenges a
Review the importance of livestock on farmsteads
Review the connection of livestock and quality of the land
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

17. Ethnobotany in Wolaita: Wolaita Livestock & Environmental Challenges
Livestock play a critical role in the farmer’s crop systems. In the rural areas of Wolaita, every family raises livestock.
Even those considered the poorest have livestock under contract in which they share the profits.
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

18. Ethobotany in Wolaita: Wolaita Livestock and Environmental Challenges
Breeding animals is very important in family farms, mainly because:
· it enhances soil fertility: organic fertilizers (animal manure) are especially useful for enset production and home gardens, both of which require very rich soil
· it generates income: farmers can sell feeder animals and/or the butter made from bovine milk
· owning cattle is a key comparative advantage as oxen can be used for ploughing: this
increases the total surface area a farmer can cultivate and also allows crop establishment at the best moment
· cattle are also helpful for the threshing of cereals.
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

19. Environmental challenges: erosion, soil degradation
Ethnobotany in Wolaita: Wolaita Livestock and Environmental Challenges
Adjura Falls
Rural area in Wolaita
Environmental challenges: erosion, soil degradation
Current remediation: terracing
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

20. Sustainable measures currently being implemented in kebeles (villages)
Ethnobotany in Wolaita: Wolaita Livestock and Environmental Challenges
To alleviate deforestation, eucalyptus trees are being planted in place of those cut for gardening, housing & construction purposes
Ditches provide a route for runoff water to flow away from crops
Wells provide a place to collect rainfall
Sustainable measures currently being implemented in kebeles (villages)
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

21. Ethnobotany in Wolaita: Wolaita Livestock and Environmental Challenges
Using traditional knowledge combined with modern gardening/farming techniques to overcome environmental challenges
Growing concern for food security & measures to ensure sustainability:
Conservation of biological resources:
soil, quality of seeds, forage availability for
animals
Preservation of traditional knowledge from home and rural gardeners & traditional healers
Government assistance with sustainable urban and rural farming techniques such as composting & propagation of plants
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD

22. Wisdom of our Educator Friends in Wolaita Culture
“Learning by observation informally is possible; however, teaching matters.”
Tafano Ouke Labiso
“Education is very essential for human beings…we can think wide.”
Ganbaro Ganamo
“Education is good for the economy, it improves my life and it’s a source of any development.”
Martha Goa
“Education is very important because it creates good awareness.”
Mathewos Gute
Ethiopia Fulbright Hays University of Pittsburgh Darla L. Gerlach, EdD