Human Ecology Seminar/ The 10th Lifelong Sciences Research Seminar

Anthropological Insights into Cultural Practices, Nutritional Strategies and Biological Outcomes in Southwestern Ethiopia

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Event Info

Presenter
  • Dr. Evrim Tekeli, Research Fellow, JSPS/Assistant professor, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey
Date & Venue
  • December 8. 2025（Monday）
  • 16:00-17:15
  • E504, 6th floor, Faculty of Medicine Building 3 Annex, Hongo Campus of Tokyo University （Campus map No.46 ）
    　（7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo）
Language
  • English
Contact
  • The Center for African Area Studies, Kyoto University

    Tel：075-753-7803
  • Lifelong Sciencies（es@jambo.africa.kyoto-u.ac.jp）

Summary

As a biological anthropologist, this study adopts a nutritional anthropology perspective to examine
how cultural and ecological factors shape dietary practices, growth, and health outcomes. Fieldwork
was conducted among the Hamar and Aari communities in southwestern Ethiopia. The Hamar, an
agropastoral community in the South Omo Valley, maintain complex livelihoods combining herding,
small-scale agriculture, and seasonal exchange. These practices shape food availability and influence
growth, nutritional status, and health outcomes. The Aari people, living in highland agricultural areas,
rely on diverse crops and household food production strategies, which similarly affect nutritional
outcomes.
The study focused on how local dietary practices, cultural norms, seasonal food availability, and
household livelihood activities influence nutritional status and biological outcomes. Fieldwork was
conducted over two periods (2022 and 2024) and combined participant observation, in-depth
interviews, and anthropometric measurements. Key areas included daily meal patterns, food taboos,
food storage, market access, livestock management, awareness of zoonotic diseases, common illnesses
in the community, and local strategies for coping with health challenges. Anthropometric results
provided insight into how these practices impact growth, body composition, and overall health.
By integrating cultural, nutritional, and biological perspectives, this study highlights the ways in which
local food practices are embedded within social, ecological, and economic contexts, offering insights
into adaptive strategies in agropastoral and agricultural communities.

instructor

Dr. Evrim Tekeli, Research Fellow, JSPS/Assistant professor, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey

Date & Venue

December 8. 2025（Monday）
16:00-17:15
E504, 6th floor, Faculty of Medicine Building 3 Annex, Hongo Campus of Tokyo University （Campus map No.46 ）
　（7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo）

Language

English

Program

16:00-16:45 Presentation
16:45-17:15 General Discussion

Eligibility

Everyone is welcomed to attend.

Organized by

Department of Human Ecology, University of Tokyo; Grant-in-Aid for Scientific
Research (A)” Impact of gut microbiomes on human nutrition” [No.24H00575]

Co-hosted by

Center for African Area Studies, Kyoto University; ISHIZUE 2025 of Kyoto University.

Contact

The Center for African Area Studies, Kyoto University

Tel：075-753-7803
Lifelong Sciencies（es@jambo.africa.kyoto-u.ac.jp）