Local heritage conservation practices and challenges in Ethiopia: Evidences from the ancient rock-hewn churches in Lay Gayint District, South Gondar, Amhara region

Abstract

This study sought to assess local conservation practices and problems in the context of management of cultural heritage in Ethiopia focusing on ancient rock-hewn churches in Lay Gayint District, Amhara Region. Interviews, questionnaires, and field observations were used to gather its data. The authors used a descriptive research strategy, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings demonstrated that causes from both nature and human activity deteriorated the rock-hewn churches of Lay Gayint. The main natural elements that damaged the hypogea's architectural elements were sunlight, rain, and botanical interventions. Intentions to repair damaged features of the rock-hewn churches were initiated and managed only with the efforts of the local communities. These local efforts lacked assistance from conservation experts and hence failed to restore the lost architectural details of the rock-hewn churches. These had also posed new challenges to the preservation efforts. The primary man-made factors endangering the churches' movable sacred treasures include theft and a lack of convenient storage for antiquities. The conservation condition of the rock-hewn churches demonstrates the current precarious state of CHM in rural areas of the country, calling for scholars' and enforcement of heritage management frameworks to preserve these incredible cultural properties for future generations.