This study tries to demonstrate the management practices and the insti tutions thatrncontribute to the long time persistence of traditio nal irrigation systems and identify thernmajor challenges that traditional irri gato rs encounter in ru ral areas of Ethiopia.rnAs reviewed li teratures indicate, traditional irrigation pract ices in Ethiopia are notrnstudied well and there is no sufficient in formation documented. Moreover, past studiesrnconducted in this regard are concentrated on the techni cal or the hardware aspect, whil e,rnthe soft ware or in stitutional and management aspect is neglected. Therefo re, thi s studyrnis aimed to improve understanding and knowledge of traditional irrigation practices. Thernfocus is on experiences of two schemes in Amaro special Woreda, Southern Ethiopia.rnIt is based on socio-technical systems theory, whi ch outlines that irri gation systems arernshaped by interaction of technical and social aspects. Irri gation technical practices arernsocially constructed, have social requirements for use, and social effects. This study al sornuses Uphoffs irrigation management framework anal ysis.rnThe data coll ection methods of this study are both qualitative and quantitative withrnprimary and secondary data sources. Household survey using structured questitionnare,rnwith required sample size was used to collect primary data at the field level. Secondaryrninformation was collected using structured checkli st. Key informants interview and focusrngroup discussions were also conducted. The data was analyzed using SPSS computerrnsoftware producing appropriate tables and summaries.rnFrom this study it can be concluded that the irrigation activ ity In Amaro is wellrnestabli shed and persisted for long. Some of the factors that contri buted for the pers istencernare: the presence of volunteer and ski lled water distributors (Qorros), communallyrnaccepted local rules, skills to establi sh structures, ownershi p feelings of the irrigators, andrnexistence of traditional irrigation management in stitutions (irrigation committees).rnKey words: irrigatio n, management, institut ions, and trad itional