The ethos of this ecological project might be best summarized by the Oromo phrase:

Kan dar be yaadatani, isa gara fuula dura itti yaaddu 
​by remembering the past, the future is remembered

To preserve the water, flora and fauna of the Oromia region - there needs to be a cycle of trees, water and plants that in turn can support animals and people. Thus if one can understand the resources of the past - then one can plant and preserve resources and needs of the future. 

Oromo people are part of a large minority group estimated at between 20-30 million people located predominately in Ethiopia with a small percentage also dwelling in the neighbouring border areas of Kenya.
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Oromo elders have always respected the placement and need for trees in their local environment. Trees offer shelter, food, medicine and are part of an Oromo community's extended family and cultural practices.  Oromo peoples believe that the forest is a natural sanctuary for all creatures and give all the necessities for those who care and sustain it. Indeed elders state "our way of life can give room and opportunity for Nature to thrive when we remember to think of our wider past and future. Leaving room for Nature makes it more healthy and this knowledge is implicit. It is thanks to finding and remembering our ancestral practices (past and future together) that can help us today" To learn more about the ceremonial, cultural and conservation importance of trees in Oromo culture - please visit the following open access article Trees symbolism, conservation ... Oromo, Southern Ethiopia at www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311886.2021.1880681

​Thus to assist with further increasing access to ancestral ecological practices and to improve community water and Nature resources - ROBA is working with communities in Koefele to establish their own long-term tree nursery. More trees grown and planted in the local area will create a more robust future for all full of 'green gold.' For Oromo more robust ecosystems, means a better balanced Nature  that can in turn take care of and benefit Nature and humanity. 

Project TREES planted

Acacia senegal
Arundinaria alpina
Buddleja polystachya 
Cordia Africanus
Cupressus lusitanica
Eucalyptus globulus
Hypericum revolutum
Juniperus procera ​
Pinus patula

​Some native trees such as Cordia Africana, Euclea divinorum and Maesa lanceolata are symbolically connected to a variety of indigenous Oromo practices and events.

Customary Oromo law enforces different types of tree conservation and ritual use, this is evident in the landscape since one can locate trees that are centuries old. For Oromo peoples trees are also perceived as sacred gift from God to cloak the land. With trees belonging to both the realm of God and for human use, it is, thus, believed that Oromo people should conserve and carefully use them.

​Such 'tree wisdoms'are enabling indigenous cultural practices, and environmental protection to develop together. Indeed long-term ecological conservation of Oromo forests and wilderness areas are benefiting from Oromo cultural practices which ensure past, present, and future Oromo generations become custodians to sustain their own forests and to continue to assert their own cultural identity and knowledge systems to flourish into the future. For Oromo peoples land, trees and Nature represents history and heritage, food and family, culture and community

​ROBA /Rural Agropastoralists for Betterment Organisation's own logo hints at the traditional ecological knowledge that is needed to maintain a respected balance between humans and forests. Tho logo illustrates a rain drop (Nature's most important source of water across the seasons), a circle (representing Mother Earth), trees (offering shelter, food, and are sources that can help retain water in the Earth),  and a cow's head (a key source of food and income). Each of these visuals together shows holistically a balance of Nature and human activities that when filling the circle can come together and sustain the livelihoods of Ethiopian agro-pastoralists. No one component can be greater than the other or else problems will ensue. For Oromo communities 'Trees like Nature are central to our culture, central to our creation.'

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Globally many people are realizing the importance of indigenous communities in observing, care taking and educating all of us in the care of the environment.

Other African agropastoralists communities are voicing their concerns and aspirations to create more balanced Nature solutions.  The following opinion article published by Thomas Reuters Foundation (Aug 9, 2021) outlines similar concerns and aspirations to those of the Oromo peoples - see https://news.trust.org/item/20210809165900-406vq

Language is also very much tied to an understanding of space, flora, fauna and other community resources. Cultural loss can be greater and as damaging as the loss of biodiversity. It is critical for there to be an awareness and a sharing of knowledge amongst children to elders and others in order to build resilience.

FURTHER READING

Learn about Oromo Gada law and Indigenous law
https://www.amity.edu/gwalior/ajm/pdf/v6n2_21_37.pdf
https://publications.iwmi.org/pdf/H040692.pdf


Books
Indigenous Knowledge system and intellectual property rights in the Twentieth century - Perspectives from Southern Africa
https://www.africanbookscollective.com/books/indigenous-knowledge-system-and-intellectual-property-rights-in-the-twenty-first-century