Practices, Challenges, and Prospects of Cultural Heritage Conservation; in the case of Bahri Gimb, Amba Maryam, and Sendeba Eyesus Churches and Monastery in Gondar ‘Zuria’ Woreda, Ethiopia.

Abstract

The conservation of heritage and its acknowledged values purposes at its safeguarding and its transfer in a justifiable way to next generations. In Ethiopia, the heritage conservation system is less effective to preserve historical and archaeological sites. However, these historical and cultural heritages are not well conserved, explored, and studied by different scholars. The main purpose of this study is to assess practices, challenges, and prospects of cultural heritage conservation; in the case of ‘Bahri Gimb,’ Amba Maryam, and ‘Sendeba Eyesus’ churches and monastery in Gondar ‘zuria’ woreda, Ethiopia. A descriptive research design was used in the study and conduct a qualitative research approach was employed in order to answer the research questions and achieve the stated objectives. 16 participants or respondents were used in the study area. Those participants of the study were from the Gondar ‘zuria’ woreda culture and tourism department, the woreda’s religious (holy orders) institution, church and monastery administrators and servants, tour guides, and local communities. The researcher prepared structured and semi-structured and open and close ended interview questions for the above subjects accordingly. Non-probability and purposive sampling technique were used in the study area. Additionally, the researcher used primary and secondary sources of data, focus group discussion, document analysis, personal observation, and field notes as data collection instruments. The data was analysed by using thematic analysis. The study finding shows that the study area ancient and historical heritages are not been conserved appropriate and desired level and their conservation practices are less effective. Stakeholders also do not appear to be contributing much in the heritage conservation and preservation services. Those ancient heritages are being severely damaged by various man-made, natural, and biological problems. Man-made problems are: lack of experts, lack of awareness, lack of government attention, lack of security services, lack of media involvement, political instability (war), lack of stakeholder co-ordination, lack of interconnected infrastructure, lack of museum, lack of budget and lack of raw material supplies are man-made problems. Natural problems include: flood, heavy rain, strong winds, lightning, sediment, land erosion and sliding and biological problems that includes rat, bat, termites, grass, roots, algae, lianas, small shrubs, reptiles and small insects and bird nests are challenges of heritage conservation in the study area. The prospect of heritage conservation is creating multi-faceted socio-economic, environmental, political, spiritual, and aesthetic awakening. As well as helps to alleviate the impacts of cultural globalization, contribute towards the well-being and quality of life of societies and develop an encouragement for sustainable tourism development. However, the heritages should be conserve, preserve, and maintained by indigenous knowledge and without releasing their authenticity; the maintenance experts should be well trained in the professions; government, religious institution, and NGOs should be provided adequate financial support for heritage conservation, and the adquate musuem should be build to collect a variety of movable artifacts.