Tools & tillage: a journal on the history of the implements of cultivation and other agricultural processes (6.1988/1991)

THE MARESHA TILLAGE IN ETHIOPIA

139

Longer stilt and handle lengths on ards
measured in Gojam and Gonder were attri-
buted to the use of longer ears by farmers.
However, ear lengths for these two areas are
similar to those for Debre Berhan and Si-
damo, both of which have shorter handle
lengths. It is likely that longer handle lengths
observed in Gojam and Gonder are due to
farmer preferences and tradition in imple-
ment construction in these provinces, which
border on each other.
Beam length for Eritrea is over 1 m shorter
than the next shortest beam for Sidamo prov-
ince. The shortest beams measured in the
Debre Berhan area were 313 ± 10 cm, also
over 1 m longer. A drawing of a maresha
from Eritrea by Vitali and Bartolozzi (1939)
depicts the beam constructed from two pieces
of wood spliced together. It is possible this
shorter beam length was due to a scarcity of
trees from which a single beam could be

shaped. Share length for Eritrea is 10 cm
longer than the next longest share for Shewa,
but falls within the standard deviation for
long shares measured in Debre Berhan.
The combined weight of both implements
across all provinces ranges from 17 to 26 kg.
Such a weight limit makes it possible for the
maresha and yoke to be transported together
to and from the field by one person (fig. 13).
In some areas, oxen are used; the ard head is
hooked over the yoke with the beam end be-
ing dragged along the ground. Sometimes
two donkeys are used to transport imple-
ments when plots are located long distances
from dwellings (fig. 1).
Mechanics of the Maresha.
An inverse relationship exists between angle
of pull and beam length. Variation in angle of
pull depends on yoke height, type and design
of the ard and number of adjustments on the

Table III. Measurements of yokes surveyed in four areas of the Ethiopian highlandsa

aSee fig. 11 for points of measurement. '’All measurements in centimetres, except where noted. cStandard deviation is
less than 1.0. ‘'Points of measurement not marked on yokes in this area.

Measurement'3
Debre Berhan
Were Ilu
Dejen
Amategna
Mean
n-21
SD
Kormagafia
Mean
(n-37)
SD
(n-50)
Mean
SD
(n-44)
Mean
SD
Yoke length
171
6
164
13
166
9
173
5
Centreline to Al
85
3
82
7
83
4
86
3
Centreline to Fl
86
3
82
7
83
4
87
3
C to D
10
c
10
2
7
2
d
d
B to C
40
3
41
6
41
4
d
d
D to E
40
5
40
4
41
4
d
d
A to B
21
3
20
4
23
2
23
2
E to F
21
5
20
2
23
1
23
2
A to Al
20
2
16
6
16
3
17
2
F to Fl
19
2
17
6
17
3
17
2
Circumference
24
1
25
2
27
2
26
2
Peg length
58
3
63
5
61
3
58
2
Weight (kg)
7
c
8
c
6
c
7
c

Mafie von Jochen, untersucht in vier Regionen des athiopischen Hochlands. a. Vgl. Abbildung 11 fur
Mehpunkte. b. Alle Mahe in cm, sofern nicht anders angegeben. c. Standardabweichung kleiner als 1.0.
d. Nicht vermessen an Jochen in dieser Region.