THE ECONOMIC VALUES OF CALLIGRAPHIC INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE INHERITANCE FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTH GONDAR ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Résumé

Ethiopia possesses rich and longstanding indigenous calligraphic Ge’ez manuscript heritages. In the South Gondar Zone of North-Western Ethiopia, indigenous calligraphic practices have been preserved and transmitted for centuries. Despite this enduring tradition, the inheritance of the indigenous calligraphic knowledge of Ge’ez manuscripts and its economic value for tourism development keep on under-researched. This study examines the economic value of contemporary indigenous calligraphy in Ge’ez manuscripts for tourism development across five districts of the South Gondar Zone, where these traditions remain vibrant. The study employed a qualitative, exploratory design grounded in interpretivist philosophy. Data were collected from calligraphers, tourism officers, and community leaders in five South Gondar districts through interviews, focus groups, and observations, and analysed thematically. The findings show that calligraphy generates economic value through employment, sales of calligraphic products, and its use as motivational and symbolic gifts. However, it remains underutilized in tourism planning. Improving visibility and market integration could significantly strengthen cultural tourism development in the study area. Indigenous calligraphy is an under-recognized cultural resource for tourism development in South Gondar Zone. Recognizing, promoting, and institutionalizing calligraphic indigenious knowledge of Ge’ez manuscript heritage of South Gondar Zone through the strong engagement of stakeholders, expanded indigenious calligraphic open-air museums of Ge’ez manuscript and incorporation of the indigenious calligraphic practices of South Gondar Zone in the major tourism circuits of Ethiopia can support sustainable economic development.

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