Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Setting

1.2 Research Sites

1.3 Scope and Limitations of the Study

1.4 Methods of the Study

1.5 Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Sample population

1.6 Literature Review

2. TRADITIONAL OROMO RELIGION AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

2.1 The Oromo Concept of "Waaqa" and Human Destiny

2.2 The Concept of "Ayyaana"

2.3 The Concept of "Maaram"

2.4 The Concept of "Ateetee"

2.5 The Mowata Tradition

2.6 The Concept of "Safuu"

2.7 The Concept of "Dhugaa"

2.8 Oromo Religion and the Wind of Change

3. VEGETATION AND OROMO SOCIETY

3.1 Tree Planting and Deforestation

3.2. Environmental Degradation and Health

3.3 Sacred Groves

3.4 Green Trees, Grasses and Symbolic Acts

3.5 The Place of Fragrant Trees and Grasses in Oromo Culture

3.6 The Selection and Use of Edible Wild Plants

3.7 Oromo Traditional Medicine: Principles and Practices

3.8 Beekeeping in Ambo

4. INDIGENOUS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

4.1 Types of Wild Animal

4.2 Reverence for Some Wild Animals and Birds

5. INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE

5.1 Indigenous Soil Classification

5.2 The Causes of Soil Erosion and Indigenous Soil Management Techniques

5.3 Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge

6. INDIGENOUS WATER HARVESTING SYSTEM

7. OROMOS ENVISION THEIR FUTURE

8. KNOWLEDGE, POWER AND THE TRANSMISSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE

8.1 Knowledge and Power

8.2 From the Past to the Present: The Transmission of Indigenous Environmental Knowledge

9. INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

10. INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND DEVELOPMENT

11. CONCLUSION