DOI issue:
Vol. VI : 3 1990
DOI article:Goe, Michael R.: Tillage with the traditional maresha in the Ethiopian highlands
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49003#0147
THE MARESHA TILLAGE IN ETHIOPIA
137
the country, the tree species Dodonea viscosa
(kitkita.) is also used (Hailu Mengesha and
Lee, 1960).
Construction of the yoke-beam is similar
to that of the maresha beam, except that the
piece of wood selected is sometimes buried
for up to 6 months to prevent cracking. Often
it is smeared first with a dung slurry to pro-
long the drying period. Proper curing of the
wood is necessary for the yoke to sustain the
rotational seesawing forces which occur dur-
ing ploughing. After being unearthed, the
wood is sometimes charred to remove re-
maining moisture and seal it before it is cut to
the desired length and shaped. Six holes are
usually made along the beam with locally
Fig. 11. Yoke and its parts. A,B,E,F pegs, G beam, CD centre-pegs, CL centreline and leather strap to
secure the connection between yoke and beam, H leather straps to secure the yoke’s position on the oxen
seen around A and F and padding between A,B and E,F. □ Das Joch und seine Teile: A,B,E,F - Pflocke,
G - Grindel, CD - Mittelzapfen, CL - Mittellinie und Lederriemen zur Verbindung von Joch und
Grindel, H bei A und F Lederriemen zur Plazierung des Jochs auf den Ochsen und Polsterung zwischen
A,B und E,F. .
made chisels; two blind holes for pegs CD
(tikirt) on either side of the yoke’s centreline
CL and four holes for the two pairs of pegs
AB, EF (maneko} which pass through the
yoke-beam and position the yoke laterally on
the oxen’s shoulders (fig. 11). Occasionally,
nails may be substituted for the centre pegs or
only a single peg is mortised into the centre of
the beam. Padding (mewajo or dildil') made of
sheep skin or cattle hide, sometimes stuffed
with cloth, may be used to prevent yoke galls
(fig. 12). Padding can last 4 or 5 years unless
137
the country, the tree species Dodonea viscosa
(kitkita.) is also used (Hailu Mengesha and
Lee, 1960).
Construction of the yoke-beam is similar
to that of the maresha beam, except that the
piece of wood selected is sometimes buried
for up to 6 months to prevent cracking. Often
it is smeared first with a dung slurry to pro-
long the drying period. Proper curing of the
wood is necessary for the yoke to sustain the
rotational seesawing forces which occur dur-
ing ploughing. After being unearthed, the
wood is sometimes charred to remove re-
maining moisture and seal it before it is cut to
the desired length and shaped. Six holes are
usually made along the beam with locally
Fig. 11. Yoke and its parts. A,B,E,F pegs, G beam, CD centre-pegs, CL centreline and leather strap to
secure the connection between yoke and beam, H leather straps to secure the yoke’s position on the oxen
seen around A and F and padding between A,B and E,F. □ Das Joch und seine Teile: A,B,E,F - Pflocke,
G - Grindel, CD - Mittelzapfen, CL - Mittellinie und Lederriemen zur Verbindung von Joch und
Grindel, H bei A und F Lederriemen zur Plazierung des Jochs auf den Ochsen und Polsterung zwischen
A,B und E,F. .
made chisels; two blind holes for pegs CD
(tikirt) on either side of the yoke’s centreline
CL and four holes for the two pairs of pegs
AB, EF (maneko} which pass through the
yoke-beam and position the yoke laterally on
the oxen’s shoulders (fig. 11). Occasionally,
nails may be substituted for the centre pegs or
only a single peg is mortised into the centre of
the beam. Padding (mewajo or dildil') made of
sheep skin or cattle hide, sometimes stuffed
with cloth, may be used to prevent yoke galls
(fig. 12). Padding can last 4 or 5 years unless