Enset(Warqe) Production and Use in South Shewa Zone of Wonchi District

Abstract

he main purpose of this research is to describe and analyse the cultural
ways of warqe production and its uses. For this research, interviews and
observation data collection methods are implemented. According to the
collected data, Enset(Warqe)is the stable food and the main harvest of the
South West Shewa Zone people of Wonchi district, the study area people
farm different types of warqe plant, produce a variety of cultural foods, and
use its by-product for many purposes. More than any other section of the
community, women have been able to capitalize on the fruits of Enset
production. They have used it not only as a food source but also as a source
of income. During the production time, women are employed as day
labourers and use the money they earn to buy and exchange different
materials, and more importantly to take care of their family. On the whole,
this study revealed the indigenous knowledge of ways of warqe production
practiced by the people of the study area, the traditional instruments used in
the production, warqe as cultural food and the use of warqe by products.
Future researches should emphasize on improved technology evaluation
including processing instruments, the way of processing including keeping
fermentation area sanitary, and identifying fast growing types of enset
(warqe) in order to boost productivity of enset (warqe).