Via Nostalgia
  • Chat
  • Trips
  • Explore
  • Saved
  • Themes
  • Routes
  • Essays
  • Books
  • Works
  • Heritage
  • Lists
  • Subscribe
Appearance
Sign In
Via Nostalgia
Konso Cultural Landscape 1
Konso Cultural Landscape 2
Konso Cultural Landscape 3
Konso Cultural Landscape 4
Konso Cultural Landscape 5
© UNESCO World Heritage Centre
UNESCO WHCCulturalInscribed 2011

Konso Cultural Landscape

Overview

Konso Cultural Landscape is an arid property of stone walled terraces and fortified settlements in the Konso highlands of Ethiopia. It constitutes a spectacular example of a living cultural tradition stretching back 21 generations (more than 400 years) adapted to its dry hostile environment. The landscape demonstrates the shared values, social cohesion and engineering knowledge of its communities. The site also features anthropomorphic wooden statues - grouped to represent respected members of their communities and particularly heroic events - which are an exceptional living testimony to funerary traditions that are on the verge of disappearing. Stone steles in the towns express a complex system of marking the passing of generations of leaders.

About Konso Cultural Landscape

Karati (Karat) is a town in south-western Ethiopia and the capital of the Konso Zone in the new South Ethiopia Regional State. Situated 20 km north of the Sagan River at an elevation of 1,650 metres (5,410 ft), it is also called Pakawle by some of the neighboring inhabitants. The town and the surrounding villages were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011 as a cultural landscape for its unique cultural traditions and importance for the Konso people.

Read more on Wikipedia

Selection Criteria

(iii)(v)

Components(1 location)

Details

Countries
Ethiopia
ISO Codes
ET
Area
23,000 ha
Coordinates
5.3000, 37.4000
View on UNESCO World Heritage Centre
← All UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Stay Nearby

Konso Cultural Landscape

Attractions & Tickets

Konso Cultural Landscape

Getting Here

Konso Cultural Landscape