Oromumma is Anti-Vestige Ideology Destroying Heritages in Ethiopia

Abstract

This research has been undertaken to assess the empirical implications of the ruling political ideology, since 2018, on the endeavors of protecting cultural heritage in Ethiopia. The study employed critical reviews of the grand-development projects emphasizing the impacts of reconstruction/reestablishment interventions on heritages. Longitudinal data of cases has been collected using site observations and key informant interviews to analyze the status & impacts of interventions. A cross-sectional in-depth interview with key informants and site observation at the Monasteries of lake Tana was undertaken, besides the case follow-up of Heritage houses in Addis Ababa. In both research contexts the assessment uncovered the same pattern of events that destroyed heritages. Heritage houses & items that memorize the monarchical era and the Orthodox Christianity are beleaguered intervention contexts. The construction projects entirely changed their context and features, erasing their cultural and historical background. It is asserted that Oromumma is a political & sociocultural ideology that erases existing features to lay its foundations on a scratch. In the case of the island Monasteries, frescoes are found to be dilapidated because of renovation deprivation. The style of painting and the raw materials used to make the paint for making these frescoes in the medieval era is not available anymore. Hence, discussions with heritage owners and expert opinions commend consideration of revitalizing the ancient knowledge of making and curating frescoes in the academic curriculum to produce capable human power.