The Ethiopian Youth and the Khat Quandary

Abstract

“Khat” (Catha edulis) is an evergreen shrub with a psychoactive substance capable of stimulating the human central nervous system. It is widely grown and consumed in Ethiopia and Yemen from where it is said to have spread to other parts of Eastern Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, and other countries of Southern Africa. A lot has been said by academic and non-academic writers about its psychological, physiological and economic effects. These studies articulated that the youth has been a major social group immersed in the fast-growing khat-chewing culture and victimised by its harmful effects. However, barely little has been said that this same group does take the greater proportion of the share of economic benefits derived from the khat industry. Khat has created employment opportunities, and is a means of livelihood for a good number of the youth in the zones of its production. This study sought to examine some of the gains some section of the youth in Sidama Zone (one of the major areas of khat production) of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region procured from khat trade and provide fresh insights into the ongoing khat debate. It is argued in this paper that khat trade in Sidama is a business organised and run predominantly by the youth and khat is viewed as less of a harbinger of health hazard and other adverse effects than a means of employment in such a way that it defies most generalisations. A qualitative research method was employed in the study and the main actors in the vibrant khat business in northern Sidama, such as “Farmer-Traders,” brokers, drivers and their assistants, sellers of enset (false banana) leaves, and “Wokil-Negades” (Resident –Agents) were interviewed at the time of field work in Wondo-Genet and Tula khat markets in 2012. Interview guides, focus group discussions and observation were used as means of data generation.