We safeguard and promote Sidama cultural heritage through community-based initiatives, language revitalization, and cultural exhibitions. Furthermore, the ISS fosters innovation by integrating indigenous technologies with modern scientific approaches to support local development.

As a key resource hub, we develop archives, digital platforms, and ethnographic collections to provide essential data for researchers, policymakers, and learners. Through these interconnected roles, the ISS ensures the preservation, promotion, and sustainable utilization of Sidama indigenous knowledge systems.

Our Core Roles and Activities

Research and Knowledge Generation

• Conduct interdisciplinary research on the region's indigenous knowledge systems, languages, histories, cultures, and socio-economic practices.
• Document, preserve, and analyze indigenous knowledge related to agriculture, medicine, conflict resolution, environmental management, and livelihoods.
• Publish research outputs such as journal articles, working papers, policy briefs, and monographs.

Cultural Preservation and Promotion

• Safeguard indigenous cultural heritage, traditions, oral histories, rituals, music, art, and material culture.
• Support community-based cultural preservation initiatives and organize exhibitions, festivals, and performances.
• Promote indigenous languages and develop language revitalization programs.

Indigenous Knowledge Integration and Innovation

• Promote indigenous technologies in agriculture, medicine, environmental conservation, water management, and construction.
• Support innovation that combines indigenous knowledge with modern science.
• Facilitate technology transfer schemes built on local knowledge.

Resource Center and Documentation Hub

• Develop archives, databases, libraries, audio-visual repositories, and digital platforms for indigenous knowledge.
• Collect manuscripts, artifacts, ethnographic materials, and oral histories.
• Provide data and resources for researchers, policymakers, and learners.