 Konso dwelling-houses | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 350,984[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Languages | |
| Konso | |
| Religion | |
| Protestantism;Ethiopian Orthodoxy,Traditional religion (Waaqeffanna) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Oromo,Gamo,Sidama,Gedeo,Welayta |
TheKonso, also known as theXonsita, are aLowland East Cushitic-speaking ethnic group primarily inhabiting south-westernEthiopia.
According to Hallpike (1972), Konso family traditions indicate that they are a composite people, both physically and culturally, with members originally hailing from all the surrounding areas.[2]
In terms of physical appearance, the Konso tend to be small and wiry, with high cheekbones and pointed chins. Skin color ranges from reddish brown to almost black, but is dark brown on average. Some individuals more closely resemble theOromo, possessing thin lips and greater stature; others have a distinctly more 'africoid' phenotype and are much shorter[?]. According to Hallpike (1972), the latter somatic characteristics are more marked amongst Konso women.[3]George Murdock (1959) attributes the pronounced 'negroid' influence on the Konso in general to early inter-mixture with the agricultural pre-Nilotes, who entered theEthiopian highlands about 5000 years ago.[4]
According to the 2007 Ethiopian national census, the Konso numbered 250,430 individuals, of whom 10,470 or 4.18% are urban dwellers. Over 87% live in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region.[1]
The Konso mainly reside in Ethiopia'sSouth Ethiopia Region, south ofLake Chamo in theSagan River bend.[5] Many are concentrated in theKonso Zone. Their territory is adjacent toOmotic,Sidama andOromo communities.
Konso typically live in large towns, each governed by a council ofelders. A few can also be found in parts of northernKenya.[5]
The Konso speak theKonso language (also known as affa xonso) as amother tongue. It belongs to theCushitic branch of theAfro-Asiatic family.[5]
Konso is divided into four dialects: Kholme, Duuro, Fasha and Karatti. It shares a close lexical similarity withDirasha, and is today transcribed using theEthiopic script.[5]
Recent advances in genetic analyses have helped shed some light on theethnogenesis of the Konso people.Genetic genealogy, although a novel tool that uses the genes of modern populations to trace their ethnic and geographic origins, has also helped clarify the possible background of the modern Konso.
The Konso'sautosomalDNA has been examined in a comprehensive study by Tishkoff et al. (2009) on the genetic affiliations of various populations in Africa. According to the researchers, the Konso showed significant Afro-Asiatic affinities. They also shared some ties with neighboring Nilo-Saharan and Bantu speakers in theGreat Lakes region due to considerable genetic exchanges with these communities over the past 5000 or so years.[6]
Although there are today marked differences in customs between the Konso and their Oromo neighbors, Konso society has also retained some commonalities with traditional Oromo culture. The latter include thegadaa generation-grading system of social organization, similar high priests and a cult ofphallicism.[2]
Konso society is largely agricultural and involves the irrigation and terracing of mountain slopes. Staple crops includesorghum andcorn, with cash crops includingcotton andcoffee. Cattle, sheep, and goats are raised for food and milk.[7]
Polygyny is an accepted practice among the Konso.[7]
Group members also erectcarvings (wagas), which are created in memory of a dead man who has killed an enemy or animal. The statues are often arranged in groups, with statues representing the man, his wives, and his adversaries present.[7]
In terms of creed, the Konso practice a traditional religion centered on the worship ofWaaq/Wakh.[8] In the related Oromo culture,Waaq denotes the god of the early faith believed to have been adhered to by Cushitic groups.[9]
Mengistu Haile Mariam (1937–) head of state of Ethiopia from 1977 to 1991.[10]
