Revisiting the Approaches to Sustainable Development

From the Perspective of Oromo Indigenous Environmental Ethics

Abstract

Oromo indigenous environmental ethics represents a crucial aspect of African environmental ethics. The Oromo, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, possess a wealth of indigenous knowledge about environmental protection and conservation, which can significantly contribute to realising most of the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015. Unfortunately, there has been insufficient inclusion of indigenous African environmental perspectives, such as those of the Oromo, in the formulation of policies and strategies aimed at sustainable development. This study employs a qualitative research method to explore this topic. The primary objective of this article is to reassess sustainable development approaches through the lens of Oromo indigenous environmental ethics. Traditional sustainable development approaches are deeply rooted in the conventional definitions. This research emphasises the importance of not pursuing sustainable development at the expense of acknowledging both past and present generations, as there exists a profound emotional and moral connection among the living, deceased ancestors, and future generations within Oromo society. This interconnectedness resonates with similar indigenous environmental philosophies across African cultures, such as Ubuntu, Ukama, and Yoruba. In Oromo and other African indigenous societies, intergenerational values, reflected in the responsibilities of inheritance and the care for ageing parents, serve as traditional means of social security.