Horse culture & tourism development: Towards initiating horse tourism in Awi Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia

This study was aimed at investigating the horse culture and horse tourism potentials of Awi Zone. It was undertaken based on descriptive design and qualitative approach. Hence, non-probability sampling techniques, such as purposive and snowball, were employed to select the study sites and participants of the research. In-depth interview, focus group discussion, field observation and document analysis were used as instruments of data collection. The finding of this study revealed that horses and horsemen play significant socio-cultural and economic role in Awi zone. There are also horse culture related tourist attractions that can be exploited for tourism development. The first groups of attractions are the various elements of horsemen involvement in the annual religious celebrations, among others, the gugis (a polo-type game) show undertaken after the completion of the escorting of the Arc of the Covenant. The second group of attractions are the various elements of the annual celebration of the Horsemen Association of Sebat Bet Agaw, among others, gugis, shimit (speedy riding), segria (walking hastily), chifera (dancing), zelay (jamping) shows. However, the development of the horse culture of Awi Zone is constrained by different challenges which include shortage of breeding land and fodder, lack of adequate know-how on senga (gelding horse) breeding, management, taming, and lack of infrastructure and equipment. Thus, in order to develop the horse culture of Awi zone solutions need to be sought for its challenges and horse tourism need to be launched to support the local as well as national economy.