The second has little to do with age. %PDF-1.5 Since the principle of five intervals stated hereinabove, in most cases, are not observed among the Boran people, children continue to be born (before the father reaches fifth Gadaa grade or after the father passed this stage). The status being a councilor in Gada Harboora is quite different from being a councilor in Gada Hawattu or Konniitu.The Gada system is not a system where authority is simply passed from fathers to sons. xref Married Borana men look in their direction them from afar, as they water the camels. Socially, Boranas were known to be very kind people especially to the visitors, a weakness that all these three colonial governments used to strip off them most of their ancestral heritages not limited to land, water sources, natural resources and top grazing areas. Nevertheless, they continue to gather as many age-mates as they can during this period too. Abba Gadas: The Ancient Borana Leadership System. It is, therefore, wrong to conceive the idea of retirement or leaving the office here as in the west where a person is relieved from his or her official duties and s/he cannot come back to leadership positions. After a few minutes, the head of the council arrives, the Abba Gada or father of Gada as he is known in the Borana language. The two groups then become cross-linked, cross-cutting, structural units that operate as complementary institutions so long as they are both represented by living members. He was the leader of qandala (army) and was elected by the people. The rules are to be enforced by different agents who work together. Between the third and fourth Gadaa grades, boys become adolescent and initiated into taking serious social responsibilities. Following the rite of passage, therefore, the junior gamme assume responsibilities such as looking after sheep and other simple duties. These elements pop up due to the fact that recruitment to an age-set requires, in systems like Gadaa, generational relationship and in connection with that issues like the time when a son may be initiated to the system and the interval between the father and son are inevitable. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 2 0 obj Moreover, as discussed elsewhere, age-sets cross-cut Gadaa classes and moieties and eventually put the Gadaa system into motion. Since this Gadaa grade is the most essential stage. The Abba Gadas: The Rich Ancient Borana Leadership System (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya. ]OYQP"Turc/"vw@kO80;:qcGx$aAcR!C:yawD$'em -S+|$vwxpAF$>KI]fOX=Vm5 Wu "QP4,CRs(Jq That is, in principle, a son always enters the system exactly forty years (i.e. Old and wise as his years, he trudges along, stick in hand. However, in the case of the Gadaa political system, as long as they (semi-retired men) are not declared individually incapable due to factors such as incapacity (physical or mental) and not fully retired (traditionally known as yuubomu that is after completing the four yuuba period); they have duty to serve as legal experts and advisers to Gadaa council in power. Ibrahim A. Elemo (M.D., MPH)* Book The role of traditional institutions among Borana Oromo, [] communities. 5 X 8) ensures not only power transfer but also the maintenance of quality leadership thereof. Abba Gadas: The Ancient Borana Leadership SystemAcross the dusty plains, under the shade of acacia trees six old men can be seen sitting together. In Boran, the junior gamme are called the sons of Guyyo and the senior gamme are called the sons of Liban. That is, they are named after the two Abba Gadaas, Abba Gadaa Guyyo Gobba (incumbent) and Abba Gada Liban Jaldessa (ex-Abba Gadaa). Gadaa was developed over five centuries with the purpose to foster social, political, economic and military matters collectively. The Borana is one of the two major subgroups of the Oromo people. It is an indigenous system of government where leaders are elected to position of authority through the will and active participation of the people they represent.For people who have studied the system and worked with the Gada Councilors, it is absolutely clear that Gada is a functioning democracy. Thus one can regard age-sets as one of the auxiliary institutions. Still academically debatable as Oromo women have no influences throughout the age of Gadaa decree or clan leadership structure but the wife of designated Abbaa Gadaa is equitably treated like the Abbaa Gadaa himself. PDF Role of Women in Tulama Oromo Gada System: the Case of Ilu, South-west Hence elementary age-sets are organized in such a way that male generations who are approximately the same age share similar collective military, economic, political or ritual responsibilities. <>>> There were four senior councilors in this assembly. A Tribute to The Late Abba Gadaa Hiddoo Galgaloo That of vulture which presides over the spoil and quest (5). The Gada system is a class system that succeeds each other every eight years in assuming political-military administration, economic management, and other social activities. The class in power is headed by Abba Gadaa in Borana, Abba Bokku elsewhere. In nutshell, at the Raba Gadaa grade the following Gadaa executive bodies have to be constituted: The Executive officers (jaldhaba)comprising not less than six members; and. However, to be initiated to the Gadaa system, in principle, they have to be always five Gadaa grades apart from their father. why did danny o'neil move to new york It was the central institution of the Oromo people that contain complex and extraordinary features. "I feel very weird announcing this, but tomorrow I begin a new journey hosting mornings on [610 WTVN]. 0000012106 00000 n The Borana age-set (hariyya) is an institution or organized on age and generational relationships. The Borana is one of the two major subgroups of the Oromo people.They live in the Borena Zone of the Oromia Region and Liben Zone of the Somali Region of Ethiopia, former Northern Frontier District of Northern Kenya,Tana River in the former coast province of Kenya and also in central Somalia.Boranas living in Kenya and Ethiopia speak a dialect of Oromo and those living in central Somalia share . Abba gadaa hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Accordingly, the objective of the election is obviously to elect members of a Gada Council (executive organ) known as the Gadaa Council (adula), which includes the Abba Gada office and others (more discussion on the Gadaa Council is held under separate section). The former Oromo traditional leader, Abba Gadaa Hiddoo Galgaloo of the Hawattu Assembly, was killed in a car accident on May 27th, 2009. Both types of social groups are formed every eight years. The people would hold elections to elect a new crop of leaders every eight years according to tradition, Indeed, democracy existed in Africa long before the white man ever set foot on the African continent and strong, age old dynasties are not the preserve of Europe and Asia. Participatory impact assessment of ticks on cattle milk production in Political Participation is open to all Borana, decisions are taken under the guidance of the ritual leaders, the. Joseph Van de Loo, "Guji Oromo Culture in Southern Ethiopia." Despite the Gadaa system being an egalitarian social system, women were excluded from passing through age-sets and generation-sets. the Borana are among the few remaining Oromo tribes to still fully practice the Gadaa system. Each one of the Gadaa class has diversity and unity. Borana. [10], The Gada system has been inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2016. Nevertheless, it is customary that one person has to lead a team whenever there is a team of leadership. 0000000936 00000 n Accordingly, these customary leaders become the custodians of Borana pastoralists' nat ural resources through They believe that they are defenders of Borana identity symbolized by the guutu, a braided tuft of hair on the top of the head. . He takes a seat at one end of the council as he has done at the beginning of his rule, eight years in total. However, the Sakuye herd camels primarily, whereas the Borana are mostly a cattle people. The Borana age-set (hariyya) is an institution or organized on age and generational relationships. Since Gadaa is found not only on age-groups but also on generation-sets, hence, understanding the generational relationship and its role is vital. 216 0 obj <>stream Accordingly, the rite of ceremony changes the social status of the child from being considered as girls to boys; it represents the birth of sons. The Aba Gada leaders of the Guji-Oromo people, an ethnic Oromo subgroup who inhabit southern Ethiopia, have declared the Shene-Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) - a group that operates in the bushes of Southwestern Ethiopia as an "enemy of the Oromo people". Riley outlines their two options: They can either kill themselves or wait it out and savor whatever time they have left . Years ago Boranas became Muslims, three time of three consecutive Abagadhas and goes back to fully to their tradition three consecutive Abagadhas after this. Asmaran has called the gada chronology "one of the most ingenious creations of the Borana mind", and has added that "historians in other societies might envy the dcill and Kurraa Jarsso Diddo is the next Abba Gada in Borana Oromo Gada System of leadership,Kurraa will be in power for the period of 2017-2025. He The system regulates political, economic, social and religious activities of the community. The parliament, called Gumi Gayo, functions just like a present day senate with the same roles. Some of these old men may have also sat in the Borana Assembly, the Salgan yaa Borana. The Gada assembly to which the Abba Gada Liiban Jaldeessa belongs is called Gada Harboora. what is ward 4 altnagelvin hospital. Where a rightly born son perfectly fits into the principle, the late-born sons cannot, and the option they have is to run behind their elder brothers. The members are recruited based on genealogical generations (2). They are economically affected and politically caught between these colonial governments and many struggles between them. In the interpretation (conception) of the Gadaa system, there are several concepts that are understood differently by different scholars. Another feature of senior gamme is their elevation to the Gada class. He and his team will vote from 17 sub-clans of Borana, one parliament member from each sub-clan. There may be no refuge left for them in severe droughts. Gada institution has three Gada assemblies each with its own Abba Gada. For five hundred years, the Borana have kept their unity intact by following this system of ruling themselves. Borana Gadaa leaders embroiled in Kenya's dirty politics - Curate Oromia Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more. By Ibrahim A. Elemo (M.D., MPH) The Borana Oromo has a very prominent traditional system of governance-the Gada System. [5][6] A leader elected by the gadaa system remains in power only for 8 years, with an election taking place at the end of those 8 years. The Abbaa Duulaa (the defense minister) was also one of the leading figures in the Gadaa government. >3 w%Q2]H==\SZHSC3HJx{ e#ggm RvPuE2@+1oB2\$kWvctwF~EhJ6p,? That is, all the four semi-assemblymen serve as legal experts to the Gadaa General Assembly (gumigayo) which takes place in the mid of every eight years (i.e. According to the Oromo worldview, all are established by divine will. That is, unlike the case of junior gamme the senior gamme will be constituted into two institutions: age sets and Gada class. Among other Gadaa businesses conducted at this level, the following are the most striking ones: First, it is at this grade where the Gadaa class and age-sets come into play as formal corporate groups. Most Borana men do stick to the principle of not raising children before the permitting stage. Each one of the eleven Gadaa grades equally bears eight-year periods and they are based on genealogical generations. It is a brick that most indigenous peoples of East Africa use to organize and structure their society (based on age relatedness). Elementary age-sets are the basic sets not tied to other variables such as initiations, the interval between father and son and other elements discussed hereinabove. Boranas harmoniously lived with their neighbors through sharing and helping during hard times like prolonged drought seasons, till colonial powers set in and instigated colonial wars and redrew the African territories into colonial boundaries. The other two Senior Councilors are Abba Gadas of their respective assemblies.There are also clan councilors in Gada Harboora called Hayyu Garba, and in Gada Hawattu and Konnitu called Hayyu Meedhicha. 0000001178 00000 n Instead, they shall be disciplined verbally and psychologically. Even other children who take refuge to a home of daballe will also be excused from any form of punishment. The system covers political, social, economical and spiritual ways of life. Gadaa Grades - Addis Herald [11] It is the brainchild of Oromo from the Madda Walabu district of Oromia. Gada system, an indigenous democratic socio-politicalEthiopia Representative List 2016 EN: Guyo Goba, the seventieth Abaa Gada of the Borana Oromo, ties 'kallacha' headgear on his forehead which is a symbol of power, and bearing a staff known as Hororo and a whiplash (Litcho) in his hand and wearing shorts (Hida) In particular, the Boran oral tradition holds that the five cyclic Gadaa classes are derived from five natural governments: The Oromo believe that each Gadaa class in ascending to political power bring into all affairs the inclination which is appropriate to it, that is, each Gadaa class leads the people according to its natural tendency. The Abbaa Boku and his two colleagues are chosen from the oldest or most distinguished families, which are known as `families of Hayu. The principal function of the Abbaa Boku is to preside over the parliament to proclaim the laws, and to act when necessary as a ritual expert in the Gadaa-ceremonies. They also learn songs, parables, proverbs, cultural and historical maps, and other social skills that they can use in public speech to praise the living and dead heroes or to criticize and ridicule cowardice and traitors. At the stage of grade four, the Gadaa classes and the age set come into being as a formal corporate group: Leaders are elected for both groups. The Borana people are notable for practicing Gadaa system without interruption especially those residing in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, a larger percentage of Boranas in Liban Zone of Somali region and those in central Somalia were Muslims, where as those living in Borena Zone of Ethiopia and those in Kenya majorly practicing Christian and Islamic religion, but few still hold purely to their culture especially those in Sakhu Constituency of Marsabit County. This case indicates that although ex-Gadaa Council (now yuuba) are in the semi-retired category, it does not necessarily mean that they are debarred or relieved from Gadaa service in general. Herds of cattle or camels were not allowed to go there unless there was an extremely severe drought. Each one of the eleven Gadaa grades equally bears eight-year periods and they are based on genealogical generations. Hence when such event occurs, additional councilor (s) will be elected to fill the gap (serve as substitutes for deceased councilor (s). contact help me hank channel 7 - lareservamallorca.com Lastly, they remain as an informal group of friends and kinsmen rather than as members of a Gadaa class until they reach the third Gadaa grade. For example, in case of US once a president finishes his or her two-term office there is no chance to serve as a member of the Congress again or as an administrative member of a newly elected president. Dabballe is unique and they have a special place in the Boran society. ABBA GADAS: THE ANCIENT BORANA LEADERSHIP AND CONFLICT - Kenyakwetu 0000001892 00000 n In this regard, due to the rigidity of the Gadaa principle, the moment a member of the family fails to stick to the rules of timing for legitimate procreation, the whole generational chain is brought out of step. However, its use of genealogical generations as its organizing elements makes it different and unique. Oromo philosophy, art, and calendar are based on Gadaa as an expression of Oromo civilization. 0000000016 00000 n As a result, we will have early born and late-born sons. Keywords: Gadaa, indigenous institution, Oromo, conflict resolution, Awash River Basin, Borana. In this respect, Asmarom draws that the Gadaa System was originally an age organization. However, for the purpose of this study, it refers to the intergenerational relationship but quite different from its common understandings. Introduction to Borana - Part 1 - Borana Global Media 'n[o7?N Like modern parliaments today this Borana parliament would summon sittings to make, repel or ensure that the laws were being followed. Major Oromo clans have established the centers of their Gadaa at several places based on their territorial settlement. The class in power is headed by Abba Gadaa in Borana, Abba Bokku elsewhere. In incorporating the age-classification system, Gadaa is similar to age-sets practiced by the Masai, Kikuyu, and the Nuer. Since Boranas were mixed farmers rearing cattle, camels, goats and planting food crops; farming land, grazing land, water sources and their traditional boundaries are paramount to them and in many cases fights broke out between Borana and their neighbors who take advantage of Borana kindness and forcefully rear their animals in Borana grazing land and take over some of the Borana water sources, traditionally called Tula Saglan. Hence based on the variants they are established on Age-sets may be divided into two: elementary age-sets and complex or advanced age-sets. First, individuals who are leaving gadamojji grade are the fathers of the members of the sixth Gada grade (Gada class in power). This was a very unusual moment in the Boran history of power transfer ceremonies. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Maakkala Abba Gada's assistants - messengers who help the hayyu to implement their tasks, particularly through keeping communications with the local communities, scattered throughout Borana land. Across the dusty plains, under the shade of the acacia, six old men regard one another. Regarding their authority in all the matters regarding the Borana society, all the three Abba Gadas and the other three Adula Hayyus (senior councilor) have the same and equal authority, muraan wal-qixxe. Scholars and. The Gadaa System of the Oromo People - Participedia Post author: Post published: December 1, 2021 Post category: usmc drill instructor speech Post comments: family tree vincent tan first wife family tree vincent tan first wife However, what initiation, interval, and genealogical generations constitute is not clear. The Conscripts (torbie) 36 comprising seven (short-term agents). These parties have different names in different parts of Oromia as the result of Oromo expansion and the establishment of different autonomous administrative systems. The assembly had the president, two vice presidents and six other very important officials who run the Borana administration. [17][18] In 2019, Bule Hora University launched a master's degree program in Gadaa studies. The Borana traditional religion is monotheistic; they worship Waaq (or Waaq, Waaqa or Wak). Perhaps, the Age-set system might have imitated the natural course of human physical development to the structure the society. No revealer today - the theme spells itself out in the clues. The late Donald Levine has said[26] that Gadaa is "one of the most complex systems of social organization ever devised by the human imagination". Where the former is appointed (and works voluntarily) by a Gadaa councilor and it is an honorary position; the later may be effectuated involuntarily. Abba Gadas is an egalitarian socio-economic and political system of the Oromo people, in which power rotates between five Gadaa classes every eight years. 4 0 obj It is a brick that most indigenous peoples of East Africa use to organize and structure their society (based on age relatedness). It is reasonable to question the reason why do most indigenous peoples of East Africa including the Oromo did organize social structure based on continuous age-groupings and periodic rituals? In particular, it takes place in the month of February (Gurandhala). . calcutta club membership eligibility Moreover, the passage of time has no subjective meaning unless it is punctuated with a transitional phenomenon, whether it is the climbing of the dock, periodic saturnalias, rites of passage, or graduation ceremonies. Gadaa effectively enforced a gender-based division of labor in Oromo society, although it allowed two equally important separate and interdependent economic domains. Only those between 32-40 years are allowed to be part of this special Borana Defense Forces. The Borana are known by a generation set Organization, which is believed to guide every aspect of their life, called off the Gadaa system and Borana people are notable for their historic Gadda political system. A few of them are pulling at their scraggly white and ochre beards while nodding in agreement. He concludes that the Gadaa systems' technique of 'consensus through dialogue' is unique but firmly rooted in Western democratic norms, and thus well suited to adoption within Ethiopia's federally structured democracy. [2][3][4], Under Gadaa, every eight years, the Oromo would choose by consensus nine leaders known as Salgan yaii Borana (the nine Borana assemblies). Berlin: Reimer, 1991. This is the reason why the Borana Oromo chooses to call the Abba Gada of Harboora Assembly Hayyuu Fiixe, or Adula Fiixe, which literally means the prime councilor. %PDF-1.4 % Councils like these have sat together under similar circumstances, for the past five hundred years. 4X8). [15][16], The Oromo governed themselves in accordance with the Gadaa system long before the 16th century, when major three party wars commenced between them and the Ethiopian Empire to their north and Adal Sultanate to their east and south. This . Gadaa Grade is the stage of full political maturity and became the ruling party for the following eight years. 0000002053 00000 n The second is a system in which the members are recruited on the bases of genealogical generation. Obviously, this principle is ideal in a sense that most but not all Boran people do observe the rule. The class forms its own internal officials (adula hayyus) and its own assembly (yaaaa). This committee includes members of the PP party in Oromia, members of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF, of which the OLA is an outlawed splinter group), the Abba Gada council, and religious leaders. The late Jatani Ali Tandhu (Shaalaqa) was such a figure, born into a Borana family in southern [], [] Many identify themselves as Borana. Where Is Bill O'Reilly Today? Gada is a complex tradi-tional democratic system of self-rule, governing the social, economic, political and spiritual life of Borana society. Age is one of the basic elements for age-group formation. A number of scholars have studied Gadaa. Through Gadha system, Boranas believed to have conquered and protected their territory named, Dirre, Dirr Liban, Golbo, Wajer, Dibayu, Torban Jia (all original name) till the second world war where they were overpowered by the colonial politics. The Oromo Society is organized into two distinct but cross-cutting systems of peer group structures. Nobody is above the rule of law in Oromo democracy. 0000006983 00000 n In this example, we have an age requirement, genealogical relationship, and moiety. The end of a discussion on issues was accepted without question and the Abba Muriti, the Father of Resolution, was present to make sure that those present in the discussion adhered to this requirement. The five Gadaa parties have different names among Boorana, Maccaa-Tuulama, Arsii, Gujii and Ituu-Humbannaa.[22][23]. History of Oromo Social Organization: Gadaa Grades Based - ResearchGate All activities and life of each and every member of the Oromo was guided by an egalitarian socio-economic and political structure of the society calledtheGadasystem. His eyes still shine with the rigor of his long past youth. Had it been so, some argue that Gadaa would have been extinct long ago. Gadaa class refers to a segment of genealogical generations constituted by two cross-cutting elements: age-sets and moieties. 0000001570 00000 n exists for that purpose. During the ceremony, the boy sang their age-set songs (tunnee) and the songs of Gadaa passage (mokkee). However, among the Boran,it is commonly known as gogessa (Gadaa-cycles) and they are named as the first , the second , the third , the fourth and the fifth Gadaa cycles (gogeessa tokkoffa , gogeessa lammaffa, gogeessa sadaffa , gogeessa afraffa and gogeessa shanaffa). For five hundred years, the Borana have religiously followed this system of ruling themselves because it has kept them together, in unity. However, the Boran did adopt a practical solution to the gap created due to late born sons, commonly known as sons of elders (ilmaan jaarsaa); It refers to sons born to a man that has passed the stage of fatherhood, the Raba grade). His eyes still shine with the rigor of his long past youth. Currently dominantly, they live in southern Ethiopia (called Borana Liban and Dirre /Liban-Dirre Gada territory) and Northern Kenya (Borana Saku and Borana Waso/ Saku-Waso Gada territory). Gada system, an indigenous democratic socio-political system of the The president was called the Abba boku. These two concepts , The interval between the entry of father and the son in the system (I) and. This begins when sons join the system as members of Gadaa class (generation class or set) forty years after their fathers and continue passing from one Gadaa grade to the next every eight years. Old and wise as his years, he trudges along, stick in hand. [1] It is also practiced by the Konso and Gedeo people of southern Ethiopia. Participatory impact assessment of ticks on Borana cattle milk production was conducted from January 2010 to July 2010. How Perfect Is Ethiopian Calander? Primarily, Gadaa system is an ancient philosophy of socio-political system that responsible for regulating Political stability, Economic growth, social services, Cultural commitments, Ethical contract the of religious order of the Oromo society and practice Gadaa Democracy that require equal participation of both male and female. Second, it also makes senior gamme acquire/share experiences with one another for future collective responsibilities. Major Oromo clans have established the centers of their Gadaa at several places based on their territorial settlement. Politically, it has a system of government where the overall leader is God himself and many unknown things are referred as 'Waqa Bekh', a sentence that can be equated to a Supreme Being knows.