Exploration of cultural heritage potential areas and heritage management challenges, South-Eastern-Tigrai; the case of Saharti Samre Wereda

Abstract

This thesis is intended to explore cultural potential heritages and management challenges of Saharti This thesis is intended to explore cultural potential heritages and management challenges of Saharti-Samre Wereda; especially Mariam Debre-Hayla, Yohannes-Kema, and Eyesus-Hintsa Monasteries. To achieve the objectives the researcher employed a qualitative research method. Both primary and secondary data were used to explore the heritage potentials as well as management challenges of the Monasteries. To collect the primary data, an interview was undertaken with selected community elders, Monastery administrators, government officials, and other concerned individuals. In addition, deep and continuous personal observation conducted to fill the gaps in interviews and other sources gathered from various literature. The study analysis revealed that the Monasteries have huge cultural, spiritual, and historical potential. Among these cultural heritages are artifacts, buildings, songs, and manuscripts. Even though the Monasteries have management challenges; such as lack of awareness about the heritage potential, lack of modern church museums, accommodations, limited budget to promote, scarcity of skilled manpower, legal frameworks, and gaps in heritage conservation are among the factors that hinder management of the heritages. Therefore, it recommended that there is a need to promote the potential and collaboration of the administrations of the monastery with different stakeholders such as Saharti Samre Wereda and Tigrai Region Culture and Tourism Bureau, local people and monastery administrators should be responsible for developing and exploring heritage potentials of the study area.