Sviluppo partecipante e sistemi tradizionali: Il caso dei Borana dell'Etiopia

Abstract

In the development programs concerning the Ethiopian Borana local groups are assigned the role of principal group for development initiatives. As such, the project seems to meet the principle of participatory development. However, among the Borana, local communities have very little organizational significance and no say at all on matters regarding rights of property. Such authority is instead attributed to descent groups, which are not localized. In particular, clans have both the organizational capacity to coordinate collective investments on natural resources and the authority to guarantee personal and collective property rights. It is therefore suggested that a direct link with clans and clan leaders would facilitate the participation of the Borana in the development initiatives, especially where the rural community is required to provide a financial contribution.