Zufan Johnson
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Kelly Askew
Research Mentor School/College/Department: DAAS/Anthropology / LSA
Program:
Authors:
Session: Session 7: 4:40 pm – 5:30 pm
Poster: 84
Abstract
The world is full of different people, different cultures, and many different ways of life. Part of what makes life so interesting is its variety. Humans are arguably the most diverse species on the planet. Despite so many differences, however, we also share many similarities. As a result of globalization and the technological revolution, humans can now communicate and exchange information more easily than ever. This also leads to the creation and growth of modern day corporations such as Horizon Plantations P.LC., a farming company. Such companies are land investors who get land leased to them by the government of the region in which they desire to operate. The issue here is that the land being leased oftentimes is already being used by indigenous groups who depend on it for their daily life. Our research aims to bring awareness to the impact these investors have on the way of life for indigenous groups as well as the threat that these land disputes and other violations have on their community. Specifically in the Sherkole and Tsore land refugee crisis on the border between South Sudan and Ethiopia, as well as the land dispute and resource extraction occurring in Ethiopian indigenous lands. We also attempt to research possible solutions and government involvement in the disputes. In conducting our research, we investigate the target as well as the cause of the violence, to ensure clarity we utilize reliable websites, local news articles and academic papers, in addition to communicating with people who speak directly with the affected communities. In doing so we learned that, as previously thought, the leasing of indigenous land to farming investors has disastrous consequences. Many of the resources used by the indigenous groups such as lumber and water, are also used by the new companies which cause the relocation of people and lead to further conflicts leading to refugee crisis like the one involving the Tsore and Sherkole people. Concerns of having to buy natural resources that were previously free have been raised by community members. This situation also has environmental consequences as the relationship between the indigenous groups and the land in which they reside is a mutual one. The way these groups live promotes biodiversity and the care and health of the land. Many cases like these are on-going cases and do not necessarily have an end or sure conclusion. However, we can see how important land is to indigenous communities. The two are closely intertwined and rely on each other for prosperity. While there is no one result, we can certainly conclude that more regulations need to be placed on land-grabbing and company land investments.
