GOVERNING PRINCIPLES OF INDIGENOUS INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR ROLE IN NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND LOCAL RESOURCE MOBILIZATION: THE CASE OF SIDAAMA, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA.

This article is based on the research that assessed the governing principles and their roles of indigenous institutions to natural resource management and local resource mobilization in selected districts (Shebedino, Wonsho and Alata Wondo) of the Sidaama in Southern Ethiopia. Qualitative research methodology was employed in the study for its appropriateness and accordingly data was collected through the use of qualitative instruments like key informant interview, focus group discussions, personal observation and secondary sources. From each district, the researcher selected 34 key informants purposively comprised of traditional elders (28 members), sub district (Kebele) administration (2 members), Kebele youth affair (2 members) and Kebele women affair (2 members). Therefore, the total key informants were 102. From each Woreda, one FGD was conducted in which 12 participants from different community groups were selected purposively to gather reliable information. Therefore, three FGDs comprising 36 members were conducted. The findings of the study revealed that indigenous institutions are very strong in terms of their legitimacy and are based on norms and values of the society. The study also showed that these indigenous institutions and their governing principles are pivotal to manage the multifaceted affairs starting from day-to-day affairs of the community, conflict management and resolution, local resource mobilizations, natural resource management to building sense of community ownership in local development initiatives. Moreover, the study revealed that the scope of participation of women and youth is very limited. Finally, the study suggested that local development policies and programs must take into account these indigenous institutions which have the potential to increase the level of community participation for appropriate utilization of natural resource management and local resource mobilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]