About
Konso is a town in the highlands of southern Ethiopia, in the Africa region of the country. It is the centre of Konso culture, and the surrounding landscape is shaped by stone terraces built and kept up by the people who farm there.
The terraced landscape
The fields around Konso climb the hillsides in stepped rows held in place by carefully laid stone walls. The description of the area notes that this stone terrace farming has been preserved for over 400 years, and the landscape is recognized by UNESCO for its heritage value. Walking among the terraces gives a clear sense of how much patient labour has gone into the land.
What to see
- Traditional villages, where daily life still reflects long-held customs.
- Wooden totems, known as wagas, which commemorate heroes and stand as a distinctive feature of Konso culture.
- The town itself, which serves as the cultural heart of the area and a base for exploring the countryside.
Konso suits visitors who want to see a living cultural landscape rather than a single monument. The best way to take it in is slowly, on foot, with time to look at the terraces and the villages between them. Those interested in heritage, farming history or the carved wagas will find the most to hold their attention.