Environmental Pressures at Dirre Sheikh Hussein Sanctuary

Abstract

Dirre Sheikh Hussein is a religious complex in Ethiopia that dates from the 12th century or earlier. An important focus for pilgrimage, it lies in an isolated part of Oromia State on poorly drained semi-arid lowlands. Significant architecturally and culturally, recent expansion and refurbishment of the major buildings led to structural issues, though these are now largely overcome through consolidation of the prayer hall roof, laying a stone walkway, digging drainage ditches etc. Current deterioration of the buildings can be seen as: (i) fading of colours, (ii) cracks in walls, roofs, and festive places, (iii) deposits of sand around walls and (iv) staining and drainage marks on the white painted surfaces. Heavy falls of rain overwhelm drainage and overfill storage pools. Meteorological observations are infrequent locally, so those made some 70–100 km away were used, along with regridded historical data, reanalysis and CMIP6 projections. These revealed increases in temperature, precipitation and humidity, and provided indications of long-term climate pressures at the site. Changing patterns of future precipitation, particularly heavy rain, may threaten the site. The relative humidity changes are small, though an increasing Scheffer index suggests potentially enhanced wood decay. Changes in soil moisture have the potential to disrupt the foundations. Very hot days may become a problem for the two annual celebrations at the site.