Abstract:
Heritage Management Practices in churches and monasteries have been traced since their
establishment as a religious institution. Due to this, cultural heritages in material and
immaterial form bequeathed from generation to generation. This does not mean that these
cultural heritages both tangible and intangible transferred from generation to generation in
intact form. These heritages have been damaged or changed its form and essence or sometimes
lost its identity by natural and manmade disasters. To solve or at least minimize manmade and
natural disasters that cost our legacy, having practical knowledge and applying scientific
heritage management practices are mandatory. To fulfill this will and zeal, the researcher
conducted the study by the title “Cultural Heritage Management Practices in Debre-Woreq
Maryam and Mertule Maryam Monasteries.” To come up with tangible and credible findings,
exploring heritage management practices have been employed in these monasteries and
assessing consequent impacts on their heritages is valuable and necessary. To realize this, the
researcher employed qualitative research design and case study approach. For the study,
primary and secondary sources were used to collect data. Primary data was collected from
purposefully selected informants, focus group discussants, observation, and archival materials.
To crystallize the data gained from primary sources, secondary sources too were used. Collected
information was thematically analyzed and the result portrays that there are immense traditional
and modern cultural heritage management endeavors have been employed in these monasteries.
From these cultural heritage management activities have been practiced in Debre-Woreq
Maryam and Mertule Maryam Monasteries, some bore detrimental impacts on their heritages
safeguarding due to partly implementation and absence of comprehensive heritage management
practices. To ameliorate the damages and deteriorations faced on incredible legacies of
humankind, the knowledge how to manage, when to manage and why to manage these
irreversible treasures are extremely crucial. To meet the above demands, broadening cultural
heritage management knowledge, and introducing integrated and scientific heritage
management activities in churches and monasteries are necessary for safeguarding cultural
heritages. To realize this, integrated and comprehensive cultural heritage management practices
should be employed to deter the damages and deteriorations have been faced on these cultural