Konso Cultural Landscape

Konso Cultural Landscape

Spanning 55 square kilometers on the arid Konso highlands of Ethiopia, the landscape features not only terraces enclosed by stone walls but also human settlements. It stands as a remarkable testament to a living cultural tradition that has been passed down through 21 generations—over 400 years—and continues to thrive. The landscape showcases the shared values, social cohesion, and engineering knowledge of the various communities.

The Konso Cultural Landscape also preserves wooden carvings with anthropomorphic features. These carvings, often combined to represent respected members of the community—especially those involved in heroic events—serve as unique, living testimonies to a funerary tradition that is on the verge of disappearance. The stone stelae erected in the towns collectively form a complex system commemorating generations of deceased leaders.

Konso Cultural Landscape

Must-visit reason: Ethiopia’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site

Continent: Africa【Africa】

Country/Region: Ethiopia[Ethiopia]

Province/State: Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region [Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region]

City: Konso [Konso]