Fixír

Fixír is a term that originated in Ethiopia, specifically within the Gurage people. It refers to a traditional practice of communal land redistribution and labor sharing. The underlying principle of fixír is to ensure that all members of the community, particularly those who are less fortunate or have recently arrived, have access to land for cultivation and support for their farming endeavors. This system is often activated during periods of significant demographic change or when existing land tenure arrangements become inequitable.

The process of fixír typically involves elders or community leaders who assess the land situation and the needs of the community. Based on these assessments, land is reallocated. This is not a permanent division of land but rather a temporary arrangement designed to provide a means of subsistence and participation in agricultural life. Fixír also extends beyond land to include the sharing of labor, where community members contribute their time and effort to help one another with farming tasks, such as planting, harvesting, and land preparation.

This practice plays a crucial role in maintaining social cohesion and economic stability within Gurage society. By providing a safety net and fostering a sense of mutual responsibility, fixír helps to prevent extreme poverty and landlessness. It embodies a strong communal spirit and a commitment to collective well-being, reflecting a traditional value system where individual needs are often addressed through community support. While modern land ownership policies have introduced changes, the spirit of fixír continues to influence community relations and resource sharing practices in some Ethiopian regions.