Abstract:
Currently, cultural heritages are facing real threats arising from rural-urban migration, modernization,
and mounting globalization. Thus, community participation is considered one of the most essential tools,
which assist conservation of heritage sites. So, this study aims to assess community participation in cultural
heritage conservation in Debre Meraf Washera Mariam monastery, Ethiopia. The study employed a
descriptive study with a cross-sectional research design in line with a mixed research approach. Both
stratified and purposive sampling was applied to select subjects for this study. Data were collected through
both primary and secondary data sources. The researcher employed both descriptive and inferential
statistics to analyze quantitative data and used thematic analysis for qualitative data. The study findings
revealed that there was a significant difference in level of community participation in CHC across sex,
education level and occupation of respondents. The findings also revealed that age and yearly income had
a significant correlation with the level of community participation in CHC. The study findings also showed
that lack of finance, lack of government support, lack of adequate infrastructure, and lack of proper
consultation from experts were among the challenge that hinders community participation. Furthermore,
the study depicts that building a sense of pride and sense of ownership, creating spiritual satisfaction,
ensuring the sustainability of cultural heritages, and preserving the historical significance of the monastery
were among the roles of community participation in CHC. So, it is recommended for the government,
NGOs, EOTC, and other responsible bodies to provide financial and technical support to the monastery's
CHC to encourage local communities.
