Walia Special Edition on the Bale Mountains (2011) - Zoologische ...

Producers
As reported previously, bamboo is often used for construction. In Goba, particularly, many people
of all ages make a living out of constructing fences, walls and floors out of bamboo. All producers
interviewed (n = 7) said they learned the technique from a family, friend or colleague. They charge
on average about 15 ETB/meter for making walls (1 meter takes about 20 culms) and 4 ETB/meter
for fences (1 meter takes about 7 culms). Their income ranges from 200–700 ETB /month depending
on the amount of work they do each month. Thus, at this producer level, the average value of one
culm is about 1.66 ETB.
In addition to construction, bamboo is also used for craft production. In Goba market,
individuals were found selling bamboo crafts and furniture. Although living in Goba and Robe
towns, none of the craft producers interviewd (n = 10) originated from Bale. Out of these, seven
are based in Goba and use the bamboo coming from Shedem. They do not make furniture but make
products such as baskets and beehives, as they claim bamboo coming from Shedem is not suitable to
make furniture. The remaining three, are based in Robe and work with a larger group that produces
rudimentary furniture using bamboo originating from Rira. Members of these groups say they sell
their products once a week during market day and that the income is just enough for their survival.
The only process the Goba group carries out is splitting the bamboo into pieces using a sickle and
weaving them together to make the products. For bamboo originating from Shedem, the most value
is added at the producer’s stage. The average value of a culm at this stage is 6.6 ETB, accounting for
85% of the total value in that chain. However, the number of products being produced is limited as
the work is time intensive.
Table 3. Crafts made in Goba
Consumers
Type of product
Time to make
each product
Approximate number of
products made out of 6
culms of bamboo
Prices
Basket for Injera 6-7 hours 3 13 ETB/piece
Small
table
breakfast
3 hours 5 4 ETB/piece
Beehive 6 hours 3 15 ETB/piece
Basket for cloths 6 hours 3 18 ETB/piece
Consumers are people who buy bamboo culms for construction as well as the various crafts available
in the market. Those interviewed (n = 15) stated that there is a constant increase in the number of
bamboo culms that are coming to the market mainly as a result of increase in demand. Consumers
have identified three main reasons for an increase in demand for bamboo.
1) Other materials such as wood, cement, etc. are becoming more expensive and hence
people are increasingly using bamboo as structural framework for their houses, fences, etc;
2) Bamboo has a higher aesthetic value and can last for long years if processed properly
using ripe culms – fences can stay up to 10 years and houses over 20 years; and
<strong>Walia</strong>-<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Edition</strong> on the Bale Mountains 219