Addis Ababa University School of Graduate Studies Department of Social Anthropology
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Addis Ababa University School of Graduate Studies Department of Social Anthropology Indigenous Conflict Resolution Institutions: A Study among the Gofa People of the Demba Gofa District, SNNPR BY: Esayas Awash June 2015 Addis Ababa University College of Social Sciences School of Graduate Studies Indigenous Conflict Resolution Institutions: A Study among the Gofa People of the Demba Gofa District, SNNPR BY: Esayas Awash Indigenous Conflict Resolution Institutions: A Study among the Gofa People of the Demba Gofa District, SNNPR A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Addis Ababa University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts in Social Anthropology Esayas Awash June 2015 Addis Ababa University College of Social Sciences School of Graduate Studies Indigenous Conflict Resolution Institutions: A Study among the Gofa People of the Demba Gofa District, SNNPR By: Esayas Awash Approved by Board of Examiners Advisor Signature Date Internal Examiner Signature Date External Examiner Signature Date Table of Contents Page Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. i List of Maps ..................................................................................................................................... v List of Tables ................................................................................................................................... v List of Photographs .......................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgement .......................................................................................................................... vi Glossary ......................................................................................................................................... vii Acronyms ........................................................................................................................................ xi Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... xii Chapter One .................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background of the Study ....................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Problem Statement ............................................................................................................... 2 1.3. Objectives of the Study ........................................................................................................ 6 1.4. Significance of the Study ..................................................................................................... 6 1.5. Scope of the Study................................................................................................................ 7 1.6. Research Methodology ......................................................................................................... 7 1.6.1. Study Design.................................................................................................................. 7 1.6.2. Study Participants .......................................................................................................... 8 1.6.3. Data Collection Tools and Procedures .......................................................................... 9 1.6.3.1. Interview ................................................................................................................. 9 i 1.6.3.2. Focus Group Discussion ....................................................................................... 10 1.6.3.3. Participant Observation ......................................................................................... 10 1.6.3.4. Case Study ............................................................................................................ 10 1.6.3.5. Secondary Data ..................................................................................................... 11 1.6.4. Data Analysis ............................................................................................................... 12 1.7. Ethical Consideration ......................................................................................................... 12 1.8. Limitations of the Study ..................................................................................................... 12 1.9. Organization of the Study .................................................................................................. 13 Chapter Two.................................................................................................................................. 14 Conceptual and Theoretical Framework ...................................................................................... 14 2.1. Definition of Terms and Concept ....................................................................................... 14 2.2. Grand Thoeries on the Concept of Conflict and Conflict Resolution ................................ 16 2.2.1 The assumptions of Functionalist and Structural Functionalists ................................. 16 2.2.2 TheView of Marxist Thoerists about Conflict and Confcit resolution ......................... 18 2.3. Other Conflict Theories ...................................................................................................... 20 2.4. Conflict Management Mechanisms .................................................................................... 21 2.5. Traditional Mechanisms of Conflict Resolution in Africa ................................................. 25 Chapter Three................................................................................................................................ 34 Description of the Study Area and the People .............................................................................. 34 3.1 Climatic Condition and Means of Livelihood ..................................................................... 34 3.2. Brief History of the Gofa People........................................................................................ 38 3.3. Social Organization and Marriage...................................................................................... 41 3.3.1 Marriage........................................................................................................................ 44 ii Chapter Four ................................................................................................................................. 47 Causes of Conflict among the Demba Gofa ................................................................................. 47 4.1. Property Destruction and Breach of Contracts ................................................................... 48 4.2 Land Related Conflict ......................................................................................................... 50 4.3 Disrespecting or Violating Seniority ................................................................................... 53 4.4. Religious matters ................................................................................................................ 55 4.5. Insult (Cashshe).................................................................................................................. 57 4.6. Theft (kayso) ...................................................................................................................... 59 4.7. Murder (shemppo wodho) .................................................................................................. 61 4.8. Abduction, Incest, Adultery ............................................................................................... 62 Chapter Five .................................................................................................................................. 66 Institutions and Mechanisms of Conflict Resolution .................................................................... 66 5.1. Gome .................................................................................................................................. 66 5.2. Conflict Resolution Institutions and Mechanisms among the Gofa Society ...................... 67 5.2.1. Dubbusha ..................................................................................................................... 68 5.2.2. The Cima Institution .................................................................................................... 69 5.2.2.1. The Gade Cima Institution and the Procedures to Resolve Conflicts ................... 72 5.2.3 Women‘s Participation to deal with Human-God Conflicts ........................................ 74 5.2.4. The Dere Duleta Institution and the Procedures to Resolve Conflicts ........................ 74 5.2.6. The Yaagano Institution .............................................................................................. 85 5.2.6.1. The Pleading Phase ............................................................................................... 85 5.2.6.2 Magara (The Avoidance Phase) ............................................................................