|
A history of land measurement in Shashemene (Ethiopia), 1941
- 1974
Temesgen Gebeyehu
Department of
History, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia.
E-mail:
temesgen777@yahoo.com.
Accepted 28 September, 2009 |
|
In history,
land tenure system refers to the social and administrative
concept. It does not show physical or geographical concept.
Land has been one of the most highly valued possessions of
human society. In Ethiopia, the rules to measure, share and
use land have evolved over time. In this regard, there are
ample sources at Teshafe Tezaz Wolde-Mesqel Tariku Research
Center. The collection of the Center Contains many
surprises. There are ample of materials on the twentieth
century Ethiopian History, particularly, in relation to land
tenure and measurement. For a historian working with such
archival materials is entertaining and stimulating. The
archives are indispensable sources for the study of the
twentieth century Ethiopian land tenure. It is possible to
arrive at an impressive conclusion on political economy of
Ethiopia particularly on land matters, with all its
implications and complexities, if one writes and researches
with reference to the center. This study highlights several
points of paramount importance. To begin with, this paper
investigates the factors that made land measurement in
Shashemene District too sensitive and challenging. Secondly,
an attempt was made to bring out the historical, political,
economical and social dimensions of the process. Thirdly, an
attempt was made to assess the degree of originality and
authenticity of the available literature in the topic under
consideration. That is, all documents will be compared and
contrast with the texts. Finally, this study also fills in
some gaps in the study of land tenure and measurement in the
district under study.
Key words:
Land measurement, Ethiopia, history. |
