The Account of Mukkeen Seeraa (Floras of Law) in Oromo of Arsii Customary Knowledge of Natural Resources Utilization

Abstract

This paper discusses customary knowledge and practices based utilization of natural resources in Arsii through their indigenous notion, mukkeen seeraa (floras of law) and its implications on nature conservation. Like any other indigenous group of people, which is recognized with certain distinct local ecological knowledge, the Oromoo of Arsii have developed special utilities of floras driven classification and codification by the name of mukkeen seeraa. Mukkeen Seeraa refer to culturally identified class of floras species categories which were imputed as distinct from others with a special and specific purposes of utility assigned to fulfill and meet through Arsii sacred and secular laws (seera ambaa and seera wayyuu). To this particular purpose, the study has employed descriptive research methods and qualitative techniques of data collections. Data were obtained through interview, focus group discussions, observations, personal profile, and analysis of cultural heritages values and written literatures. Informants were identified based on their knowledge of the history, culture, belief system, wisdom of the customs of target people. The findings indicated that, the Arsii customary practices has nearly identified 45 floras species divided into ten special utility meeting categories which are characterized with rules set to guide their exploitation, of designated legal personality and the prerogatives of serving only specific functions. Results also showed that species of the class were designated to meet exceptional demands and thereby barred from unspecified functions driven exploitation through indigenous strategy of sustainable resources use. However, the practice declined following the weakening of Gadaa system since the 20 th century and as a result some of the species are extinct as this people’s knowledge faced discontinuing phase. In revealing this, the researcher recommends the need for enhancing such wisdom which advocates the conservation of floras species and their sustainable utilization.