Relevance of Gadaa Values and Practices in Current Development

Abstract

Despite their advancement and intensiveness, existing scientific studies did not pay adequate attention to the relevance of Indigenous social values and customary practices in the current societal development context. Yet several studies agree that the implementation of modern science and technology increases the sustainability of development, while studies on the relevance of indigenous developmental values and practices are largely missing. The same scenario is observed in studying the relevance of Gada values and practices in multifaceted developments. However, empirical studies have shown that Indigenous knowledge remains important in many societies and that its importance has been increasing since the beginning of the post modernism ideas. This study dedicates to investigate the Gada values and practices associated with socio-economic wellbeing, identifying Gada values and practices that mostly concern environmental protection and to examine the relevance of Gada values and practices in current societal development. The paper employs qualitative research method to investigate indigenous knowledge importance in general and the relevance of Gada values and practices in the current societal development context in particular. Gada values and practices can have relevance in cultural development, social development, economic development and environmental protection and any other development. Even though modern elements brought opportunities in given society; it also has posed several inconveniences. Modern elements can influence society in certain desirable direction but it lacks effectiveness and sustainability. The development that ignores local indigenous knowledge may be ineffective and not satisfactory. This study indicates that indigenous developmental values and practices create profound potential that can help developmental effort so as to accelerate and sustain development and build solid ground for the societal prosperity. Furthermore, it was found that members of the society have preferences for their indigenous Gada values and practices owing to their familiarity and sense of ownership. This confirms that any development effort or project that can be launched in the area will be more viable and beneficial if appropriately exploit these opportunities.