Abstract: Yemen is a one of the poorest country of water in the world. For centuries it is suffering from water shortage, which led to several serious societal conflicts. Each area have its own traditional water-relating rules and regulations. This study aimed to review and analyze traditional irrigation water rights in selected wadis; compare their differences and similarities and propose suitable measures to settle existing problems. It was conducted in selected Yemeni wadis in Hodiedah, Hadhramout, Lahj, Abyan, Sana'a, Hajjah, Ibb and Taiz governorates. It relied on review and analysis of documents and reports, field observations, field survey questionnaire and discussion meetings with selected experts, local officials, farmers and key informants. There exist some standing norms and traditions relating to the organizations, arrangement and shares of water quantities, maintenance and mechanisms of conflict resolution. But, these varied from location to another. Some of these local customs have been violated while others have gradually vanished due to modernizing irrigation structures or socio-political changes, draught and climatic change. This in turn has negatively affected the traditional irrigations systems and the whole society as well. The study concluded with possible suggested action to remedy existing flaws and shortcomings.
Keywords: Spate Irrigation, Water rights, Traditional, Wadis, Yemen.
Title: Traditional Rights of Irrigation Water in Some Yemeni Wadis
Author: Ismail A. Muharram, Khalil M. Alsharjabi, Adel Ahmed Mutahar
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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