Gadaa System Research Articles

Virginity as a sign of Masculinity: The case of the Borana Oromo, Ethiopia

This article discusses the socially constructed masculinity of unmarried girls among the Borana in southern Ethiopia. The Borana practice the longstanding Gadaa political system, which was inscribed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2016. Data for this article was gathered through qualitative approaches, including interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and direct observation of the 2012 Gadaa general assembly. Such an assembly is held once every eight years to enact new Gadaa rules and amend the existing ones. The findings indicated that the Gadaa system provides rules regulating Borana marriage lives, including premarital virginity for girls. The Borana refers to an unmarried girl as “dubra gammee,” which means “a virgin girl,” who has a masculine identity and is “a male person.” Unmarried girls have certain physical markers, particularly a hairstyle that they share with boys. Any sexual act with unmarried girls is therefore homosexual and punishable. Gadaa and all related institutions care for the premarital virginity of girls. The Gadaa rules impose punishment unconditionally on men who have sex with unmarried girls. On the other hand, the Borana tolerate extramarital sexual relations, which has partly contributed to maintaining the premarital sexual innocence of Borana girls.

Legal Implications of Inscribing the Oromo Gadaa System (OGS) in United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) List of Intangible Heritage

Abstract Gadaa, an indigenous governance system of the Oromo, has been inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The purpose of the study was, therefore, to assess the inherent legal implications within the inscription. A qualitative approach was used to generate data from interviews and literatures. The findings have shown that the designations given by the Federal Proclamation are too broad to be applicable – and are alien – to the peculiarities of the OGS. No lifelike efforts are being witnessed for putting in place legal grounds following the inscription. There is a need for reinvigorating the values and principles inherent within the OGS-guaranteeing authentic peaceful and stable political, administrative, economic, social and cultural (co)existence of the Oromo in the Continent. The Oromo people, headed by Abbaa Gadaa and the Oromia National Regional State, also should request UNESCO to rename the OGS instituting both intangible and tangible World Heritage of Humanity.

Significance and restraint of indigenous knowledge inclusion in Ethiopian higher education curriculum: In focus Gadaa system

The issues of indigenous knowledge (IK) inclusion in formal education have gotten academic debates recently. Some scholars argue that western education is responsible for IKs attrition. Others refute that IK enriches modern education. Ethiopia endows with varieties of IKs. Gadaa system is one of the Ethiopians IKs. The country counted more than a century since it adopted modern education. However, it has not included IK in the higher education curriculum. It needs the attention of scholars to explore the importance of IK inclusion in the education curriculum and encountered challenges. This study addresses the knowledge gaps regarding the significance and restraint of IK inclusion in the Ethiopian education curriculum focusing on the Gadaa system. The finding shows that the Gadaa IK system inclusion in curriculum integrates IK to formal education, explores Gadaa democratic governance and peaceful power transition, enriches youths’ minds with IKs, and promotes peaceful co-existence. But historical factors and western education domination restrain it. It concludes that IKs like the Gadaa system inclusion to Ethiopian higher education buttresses modern education. It recommends the Bule Hora University Gadaa IK system inclusion in the curriculum needs to expand to other Ethiopian universities.

Building peace by peaceful approach: The role of Oromo Gadaa system in peace-building

Building peace by peaceful approach: The role of Oromo Gadaa system in peace-building

The Guji-Oromo Women Places in the Society (Polio-Economic and Socio-Cultural Rights): In reference to the Gadaa System, South Ethiopia

The Guji-Oromo Women Places in the Society (Polio-Economic and Socio-Cultural Rights): In reference to the Gadaa System, South Ethiopia

Indigenous Knowledge vis-à-vis Development: The Potential of Gadaa System in Industrial Leadership Development

Indigenous Knowledge vis-à-vis Development: The Potential of Gadaa System in Industrial Leadership Development

Electoral Authoritarianism and the Question of Representation: The Case of Caffee Oromia, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT This article analyses aspects of representation and legitimacy of Caffee Oromia (the legislative council of the Oromia National Regional State) within Ethiopia’s electoral authoritarian political landscape. The article sheds light on the interplay between the Caffee, elected representatives and constituencies in Ethiopia’s ‘democratisation’ experiment within the post-1991 federal system. The empirical data for this research were collected from five zones in Oromia, namely East and West Guji, Borana, West Wallaga and Oromia Special zone surrounding Finfinne between February 2019 and June 2020 through qualitative research methodology. Leaders of indigenous institution (Gadaa system), community members, elders, members of the Caffee and local government authorities were interviewed. Ten Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 30 key informant interviews were conducted with purposively selected informants. The research findings show that there is a big rift between the elected representatives and their constituencies in terms of representation, accountability and communication whereby party loyalty overrides representatives’ accountability to the constitution, constituencies and conscience. Thus, Ethiopia exemplifies electoral authoritarianism both at national and sub-national levels, whereby election is used as a strategy of power consolidation of the ruling party rather than as a democratic exercise.

Sustainable Land Utilisation Among the Guji of Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Sustainable land utilisation is very important prerequisite for the survival of humanity. Land conservation and sustainable utilisation is the current issue as the result of ecological factors such as population pressure resulted in higher need for additional natural resources, global warming, climate change, and the threat of environmental contamination, biodiversity loss, changes in landscape, monetary globalisation, power safety, water delivery, and escalating conûict among socio-cultural, political-monetary, and ecological goals. The present paper is qualitative in nature and both primary and secondary source data were used to elicit the information on the sustainable utilisation of land among the Guji community in Oromia region of southern Ethiopia. The study reveals that Guji Gadaa system is the time proven indigenous institution responsible for making customary rules and regulations, management, regulating and controlling mechanisms to ensuring the sustainability of natural resources in general and land in particular

Anthropogenic menace on sacred natural sites: the case of Me'ee Bokko and Daraartu sacred shrines in Guji Oromo, Southern Ethiopia

This article explores the anthropogenic menaces affecting Me'ee Bokko and Daraartu sacred shrines among Guji Oromo, in Adoolaa Reeddee and Annaa Sorraa districts, Southern Ethiopia. This study employed qualitative approach, ethnographic research design, and methods of data production like in-depth interview; transect walk, and focus group discussions. The findings indicate that the expansion and teaching of Abrahamic religions (particularly Christianity and Islam), the implementation of unsustainable infrastructural project, modern educational system, waning of people's loyalty to customary laws of Gadaa system and encroachment of sacred land were anthropogenic menaces affecting the sacred shrines. Even though these threatening factors are formidable in their very nature and affecting the sustainability of sacred shrines, Guji people have century long indigenous mechanisms to maintain and preserve those sites. These mechanisms include the replacement of destructed sacred tree by ordaining another tree, occasional supervision on the status of sacred shrine by insisting local people to protect the sites, demarcating the sites, and enforcing customary punishment to sustain the sacred shrines. Generally, to mitigate the menacing factors and ensure sustainability of sacred shrines that are inextricably linked with Guji culture, and serving as biocultural diversity hotspot, the scholars, local people, government and non-governmental organizations have to collaborate on their preservation.

Role of Women in Tulama Oromo Gada System: The Case of Ilu, South-West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State

This study deals with the role of women in Gada system in Tulama Oromo of Ilu. Gada is an indigenous institution that incorporates political, social and economic issues of the Oromo. In this institution, Women have their own role and status in the political, social and economic affairs of the Oromo society. The objective of this study is to examine the role of women among Tulama Oromo of Ilu Gada system. To achieve this objective, both primary and secondary data was used. Accordingly, interview, focus group discussion and participant observation were employed to collect data. For this purpose, informants were selected from Abba Gada (father of Gada), Luba, Jaartii Cifree (wife of Yuba (retired Gada elder)), Haadha Siiqqee (wife of Abba Gada, Luba), community elders and culture and tourism office from government officials. These informants were participated in interview, focus group discussion. In such way, 36 informants were directly involved in the study. In anthropological studies, analysis is an instrument to extract meanings and interpretation from the data obtained during fieldwork. In such manner, data were presented in a qualitative type. The findings of the study show that women have tremendous role in gada system. In this case, no event or no ceremonies take place without the full participation of women. Women were basically represented and/or play a significant role through different institutions such as Siiqqee and other ritual ceremonies and institutions working as check and balances for protecting women’s right in general. Hence, without participation of women, the Oromoo socio-political practices could be meaningless. That is to say, any social, political and economic practice irrespective of women may not be fruitful. Based on the research findings, some recommendations were forwarded that strengthen understanding of Gada system. Key terms: Gadaa system; Oromo; Women; Tulama; Ilu. DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/56-02 Publication date: February 29 th 2020

The Roles, Challenges and Opportunities of Gadaa System in Resolving Water Conflict: The Case of Borana Oromo

The main objective of this study was to explore the roles, challenges and opportunities of Gadaa system on water conflict resolution in Borana Zone of Oromia. Qualitative method was used to achieve the objectives of the study. Relevant information was gathered from both primary and secondary sources. With regard to collecting the primary data, key informant interview; structured and semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and observation were used. The study revealed that the Gadaa system has been an egalitarian socio-economic, political and cultural system which had been practiced by the Oromo society for a long time. It had been guiding and regulating the life of the Oromo in relation to other peoples and their environment. The study also confirmed that Gadaa system has a great role in resolving conflicts that occur in a society by employing customary laws. The roles of women in conflict resolution within Gadaa system, the constraints faced Gadaa system’s institutions while resolving conflicts and the main water organs of Borana Oromo are other findings of this study. The study also came up with the historical roles of Gadaa system, procedures of conflict resolving and social structures of the Borana Oromo society. Lastly, the study verified the Borana Oromo’s view of conflict. Though most of the key informants viewed conflict as inevitable and natural which could prevail in any society on the contrary, few of them viewed conflict as bad and destructive. The findings further showed the opportunities of practicing Gadaa system for Ethiopia as well as for Oromo community.

Climate Resilient Indigenous Community Self-Help Practices in Oromo Gadaa System: The Cases of Sikkoo-Mandoo Oromo in Oromia, Ethiopia

Climate resilient livelihood is used to mitigate the adverse climatic effects. The farmers’ livelihood vulnerable to extreme climatic events were recorded in study area. Hence, this study was aimed to investigate climate resilient indigenous livelihood practices in Oromo Gadaa system. Data were collected by 69 respondents’ interview and literature review and analyzed by descriptive statistics. Indigenous early warning, conflict settlement, and community self-help were the climate resilient livelihood practiced in study area. Majority of farmers have been used indigenous early warning information forecasted by Raagaa Wogii. Tree ring, sediments layer, and wind direction have been used to know and predicts extreme climatic event in indigenous early warning system. In alleviating climatic effects of conflict, Gadaa system have allocated the responsibilities of every individual in indigenous conflict prevention and resolution. The Sadii walii dhoksuu, Sadii walii obsuu, Sadii walgorsuu and Araaramuu have been the conflicts prevention mechanisms settled by conflicting parties. The Ilmo-limmoo, Qora , and Gumaa have been conflict resolution techniques mainly settled by hayyuus , Ambaa Gadaa and Abbaa gadaas through hearing the causes in detail. Seera siiqqee has been used to settle the conflicts between man and woman whereas Guula has been the resolution mechanisms of political conflict. The community self-help practices: Ameesa dabarsu , Dabaree kenuu , Gegawo-gegesaa , Soruu , Hirphuu , Gumaata , Liqii , Qabdoo qabuuf , Qote-qotii , Sanyii kennuu , Woliif Tiksuu , Dhoofsisuu , Daboo , and Edir and/or Ekub have been indigenous climate resilient livelihood used in Gadaa system. Majorities of community self-helps have been the responsibilities of members in their clan, friends and families. So, the indigenous early warning system, conflict settlement and community self-help practices should legalized and used at a regional level. The evidences, reliability and effectiveness of the indigenous early warning system need further study. Keywords: Climate resilient, Conflict settlement, Early warning, Spiritual leader DOI : 10.7176/JCSD/55-04 Publication date: January 31 st 2020

Role of Women in Tulama Oromo Gada System: The Case of Ilu, South-West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State

This study deals with the role of women in Gada system in Tulama Oromo of Ilu. Gada is an indigenous institution that incorporates political, social and economic issues of the Oromo. In this institution, Women have their own role and status in the political, social and economic affairs of the Oromo society. The objective of this study is to examine the role of women among Tulama Oromo of Ilu Gada system. To achieve this objective, both primary and secondary data was used. Accordingly, interview, focus group discussion and participant observation were employed to collect data. For this purpose, informants were selected from Abba Gada (father of Gada), Luba, Jaartii Cifree (wife of Yuba (retired Gada elder)), Haadha Siiqqee (wife of Abba Gada, Luba), community elders and culture and tourism office from government officials. These informants were participated in interview, focus group discussion. In such way, 36 informants were directly involved in the study. In anthropological studies, analysis is an instrument to extract meanings and interpretation from the data obtained during fieldwork. In such manner, data were presented in a qualitative type. The findings of the study show that women have tremendous role in gada system. In this case, no event or no ceremonies take place without the full participation of women. Women were basically represented and/or play a significant role through different institutions such as Siiqqee and other ritual ceremonies and institutions working as check and balances for protecting women’s right in general. Hence, without participation of women, the Oromoo socio-political practices could be meaningless. That is to say, any social, political and economic practice irrespective of women may not be fruitful. Based on the research findings, some recommendations were forwarded that strengthen understanding of Gada system. Key terms: Gadaa system; Oromo; Women; Tulama; Ilu. DOI : 10.7176/RHSS/9-19-02 Publication date :October 31 st 2019

The Gada system and the Oromo’s (Ethiopia) culture of peace

The purpose of this study is to add to recent calls to develop indigenous knowledge of peace system and culture development to promote culture of peace in Africa. It assesses the indigenous Gadaa system peace concept and culture, identify its peace related values, philosophies, traditions, institutions, etc for nurturing and sustaining peace in the Oromo society, with the neighboring ethnic group, and its relevance to creating peace culture in Africa and beyond. It relates Gadaa peace system with the UN peace system initiative and framework in demonstrating the relevance of Gada peace system to peace building in multi-ethnic conflicts transformation in the Horn of Africa and beyond. Oromo people were traditionally a culturally homogeneous society with genealogical ties living in Ethiopia, Kenya, and other neighboring east African countries. They governed themselves in accordance with Gadaa (literally era), an outstanding democratic socio-political system long before the 16th century that has survived to date and is currently functional in Ethiopia and Kenya, and gaining importance and restored in all parts of Oromia in Ethiopia.. The Gada system is an indigenous institution that pervades every aspect of an Oromo life including personal, interpersonal, social, economic and political life. The Oromo concept of peace is comprehensive and broader than western conception of absence of violence. It covers both negative and positive peace, intra-personal peace, interpersonal peace, within Oromo, with other communities, with nature, and peace with God. Therefore, to build peace culture the Gada concept of peace, truth, values, principles, and conflict resolution techniques need to be restored and promoted. It should be documented and made part of education system. The academics should do research and disseminate these values. The regional state government and civic societies should develop a peace education program based on these values and traditions so that they should be restored quickly and sustained among Oromo community in all corners of east Africa where Oromo community lives. The concepts of gender equality and participation in sustainable development of the society needs to introduced into the Oromo culture and Gada system.

Gurraacha: An Indigenous Inter-Ethnic Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Institution among the People of South Central Ethiopia

Abstract This article deals with Gurraacha institution, which is very important in inter-ethnic peace building and resolving conflict among people of south-central Ethiopia. This institution was named after the Oromo term ‘Gurraacha’ (literally meaning black) to indicate its power in inter-ethnic peace building and conflict resolution. It is one element of Oromo Gadaa system which was established time immemorial to sustain peace between Oromo and non-Oromo neighboring ethnic groups. The data for this study was collected through interview, observation and focus group discussions in 2014 and 2015. As revealed by this study, Gurraacha institution is a guarantee for sustaining peace among people of south-central Ethiopia by managing conflict over boundary, grazing land, looting of cattle and water points. Overall, the study concluded that Gurraacha institution has real significance in inter-ethnic peace-building, sustaining social harmony and inter-ethnic conflict resolution. In Gurraacha institution, people rebuild lost peace and order of Waaqa (God) by performing purification rituals. There is no corruption in Gurraacha institution since all activities are undertaken according to Waaqa’s law and order. There is no false oath in this institution because such act is believed to have negative consequences. The oath of Gurraacha institution which are made during reconciliation process transcend generations. This institution is the model of conflict transformation which is hardly found in today’s world. Therefore, using this indigenous institution for future policy formulation in the country as inter-ethnic peace building and conflict resolution model is important for the realization of sustainable peace and development.

English

This paper deals with the destruction of Oromo indigenous practices under Gojjame rule: the case of Abbay Choman Oromo, in the south of Abay River 1870s-1882. The year 1870’s was a turning point in the history of the Oromo of Abbay Choman in particular and Horro Guduru in general because it was a period when Gadaa system with indigenous practice starts being destructed. The year 1882 was the period when Horro Guduru in general and Abbay Choman Oromo in particular came under Menelik Empire and the already started socio-cultural suppression was highly continued. This paper focused on reconstructing the socio-cultural change of Oromo of Abbay Choman from 1870’s-1882. In short, the main objective of this paper was to show the socio-cultural condition of the peoples in the context of change in policy and administration system of Gojjame. The paper shows how the indigenous socio-cultural system of the Oromo of Abbay Choman has been affected by invasion of Gojjame. The study came up with the idea that Gojjame invasion of the area resulted to the destruction of Oromo people indigenous practice. Since historical methodology requires extensive collection, closer investigation and analysis of the available primary and secondary sources, the paper seriously took those into account in treating the destruction of socio-culture. The study used and explored both primary and secondary sources. Both published and unpublished reports of scholars from diverse background had been reviewed during the study.   Key words: Abbay Choman, Oromo, Gojjame, indigenous practice, destruction.

The Magic Beyond Ritual”- Exploring Raaba Ritual and Ritualization Among Arsi Oromos of Ethiopia

The purpose of this (mega) research project is to investigate the Raabaa Ritual and ritualization, one of the indigenous beliefs and Gada system practices in Oromo culture, among the Arsi Oromo. The Raabaa ritual is indigenous ritual practices which exercised by Arsi Oromo according to their Baalli. To this end, the researchers observed the ritual sites where the Raabaa ritual takes place. Besides, an interview with 13 key informants and 5 FGDs were conducted to collect wider data on the subject matter. Methodological the researchers’ were employee qualitative approach. The study found out that the Raabaa is being popular in the study area due to various reasons like: firstly, the practicing and living under the shade of Gadaa and belief in the ritual manifestation. The Arsi Oromo are believed to have possessed supernatural powers of empowering and performing various ritual rites to full fill necessary criteria’s while passing in the Gadaa system. Secondly, the belief that taking part in ritual ceremonies at all ritual sites of Raabaa is one method of getting relief from these worldly problems such as physical and psychological disordered and to have blessing life. The practices at the Raabaa ritual site also prove the tolerance that exists among some adherents of different religious, Baallis, hookaa and political backgrounds in the study area. According to our finding Raabaa ritual is used to increase awareness of the values of tolerance and understanding. The involvement of the local people, awareness levitation through community serves or education on ritual and ritualization of Raabaa, the practice of ritual and its sites protected areas should be encouraged to sustain and keep the practice.

Indigenous Mechanisms as a Foundation for AfSol Comprehension: Lessons from Gadaa System of the Oromo Nation in Ethiopia

The idea of African-led solutions to African security problems has emerged as a holistic political, socio-cultural, economic, and intellectual endeavor to address the peace and security challenges in the continent. Though the term African Solutions for African Problems (AfSol) is coined recently, indigenous conflict management, peacemaking, transitional justice, and reconciliation have existed for much longer in Africa through African indigenous mechanism. This suggests that understanding the features of indigenous African political institutions and social organizations is quite necessary for meaningful development of AfSol. In this regard, Gadaa system which regulates the whole living ways of the Oromo people provides us an invaluable foundation. By organizing, analyzing and interpreting the data obtained from both primary and secondary sources, this study has attempted to examine the key values and principles of the Gadaa system and explore as to how these values and principles can help to achieve the idea of African-led solutions to African challenges. The conclusion up on the research has drawn is that in order to accomplish AfSol's mission as a realistic project, incorporating the principles and values embedded in the Gadaa system is crucial. This research suggests that the integration of Gadaa values and principles into the AfSol pillars, with necessary revisions, would reinforce the latter's practices and help its realization as a policy in the making.

Indigenous Federation: The Case of Borana Oromo, Ethiopia

This article draws attention to the Borana Oromo gadaa system as an Indigenous federation. Gadaa is an Indigenous democratic political system used by the Oromo in which leaders are elected and their term in office is strictly fixed. Data for this research were generated through interviews, observations, and focus group discussions. The findings of this research indicate that the Borana have three gadaa councils at two levels: one at the center for the entire Borana and two named after two Borana clans. The later have relative autonomy under the cardinal law of the Borana gadaa. This structure has been serving as a means of managing conflict, maintaining internal unity, and ensuring better governance and power devolution. Finally, suggestions are made on how to support Indigenous governance systems, which in this case includes acknowledging the values and principles of the gadaa system, as well as designing a legal framework that retains and protects the integrity and legitimacy of the system.

Harnessing Gadaa System as a Black Covenant in Modern Constitutional Administration: Appraisal of Prospects and Challenges

Gadaa system is a well comprehensively guided, crafted and nurtured system of traditional administration under the unbelievable wisdom of the ancient Oromo people in the horn of Africa. It is difficult to recall exactly when and where Gadaa system had started. However, it is determined beyond any reasonable doubt that the Oromo people have been utilizing Gadaa system as a traditional mechanism to ensure social justice for centuries. It is possible to consider Gadaa system as an unwritten form of the nation's covenant or constitution in modern sense. It is developed and evolved from the cumulative experiences gained from experiments, practices, customs, and lessons of many generations of the Oromo society in a very long period. Accordingly, Gadaa system is extremely broad and comprises of all aspects life like religion, Politics and culture of the Oromo people. Nevertheless, this paper puts its emphasis on exploring the prevailing prospects and challenges in harnessing Gadaa system as constitutional administration in modern democratic governance. Hence, to achieve its goal, the researcher employs qualitative method which includes reviewing the existing and relevant literatures, assessing legal documents like FDRE Constitution of 1995, and evaluating the Gadaa tradition in comparison with the modern principles of Constitutional administration. Therefore, the findings of this research claim that Gadaa system is a covenant for the Oromo people. Since all Oromo, in all age groups will give their consent to select or elect their representatives/leaders. Since the people puts limitations on the powers of elected representatives through the principles of Gadaa administration and furthermore, as the nation have Gadaa system as guarantees to make their leaders accountable and transparent both legally and politically in their day to day official decisions. For this reason, the researcher recommended that all the concerned party in general and all the Oromo scholars and peoples in particular must strive a lot in harnessing the principles of Gadaa system in their modern administration at national and international level.