The Sidama agropastoralists make up the largest ethnic population in southwestern Ethiopia. Sidamaland, part of the Great Rift Valley, lies in the areas between Lake Awassa and Lake Abaya, the northern and southern boundaries, respectively. Loqqe kebele, where I work, is situated in a lowland environment (elevation ≈ 1,694m/5,558 ft), just south of Hawassa city. Population density is a bit higher than in areas situated farther from urban centers; according to kebele officials, there are 2,323 households in Loke and a population of 9,514.
Sidama society is stratified by both age and sex, and when children are ~5 years old, they begin participating in sex-proscribed roles. While responsibilities are relatively light across early and middle childhood, adolescent children are expected to make fairly significant contributions to the household economy. Although children face risk from disease, infant and childhood mortality rates are much lower among the Sidama than Aka foragers or Ngandu horticulturalists.
Sidama society is stratified by both age and sex, and when children are ~5 years old, they begin participating in sex-proscribed roles. While responsibilities are relatively light across early and middle childhood, adolescent children are expected to make fairly significant contributions to the household economy. Although children face risk from disease, infant and childhood mortality rates are much lower among the Sidama than Aka foragers or Ngandu horticulturalists.