Addis Ababa Universityschool of Graduate Studies
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ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY WOGA: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF CUSTOMARY LAW AMONG THE GAMO OF ETHIOPIA. BY ZELALEM ZEWDIE A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY June, 2016 WOGA: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF CUSTOMARY LAW AMONG THE GAMO OF ETHIOPIA. A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies Addis Ababa University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Social Anthropology ADVISOR: GETANEH MEHARI (PhD) BY: ZELALEM ZEWDIE June, 2016 ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY WOGA: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF CUSTOMARY LAW AMONG THE GAMO OF ETHIOPIA. BY ZELALEM ZEWDIE Approved By: _______________________ _______________ Advisor Signature ________________________ _______________ Internal Examiner Signature ________________________ ________________ External Examiner Signatur Declaration I, Zelalem Zewdie, declare that this thesis is my original work and has even been presented for a degree in any other university and that all sources of materials used for this thesis have been duly acknowledged. Approved by: Confirmed by: Zelalem Zewdie Dr. Getaneh Mehari Candidate Advisor Signature ____________ Signature ___________ Date _______________ Date _______________ Acknowledgements I have experienced help from many persons in conducting research under hectic conditions and writing a thesis. It is quite impossible to list all the contributors by name. However, I would still like to take an opportunity and privilege to acknowledge a few who have helped me in the consistent learning process I have passed through. First and foremost, I am grateful to the God for the good health and wll-being that is necessary to complete my study. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my adivisor Dr. Getaneh Mehari, for the continous support of my MA thesis, for his patience, motivation and immense knowledge. His guidance helped me in all the time of research and writing of this thesis. I could not have imagined having a better adivisor and mentor for my MA study. Besides my adivisor, I would like to thank the rest of my thesis committee: Dr. Mamo Hebo and Dr. Demeke Achiso, for their insightful comments and encouragements. There are no words to express my appreciation to Zigit people in the study site. Words may not suffice to acknowledge their contributions. I am especially grateful to Berye Echeba, who helped me in ups and downs in my field work. Last but not list, I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting me spiritually throughout writing thesis and my life in general. I am especially grateful to my friends Afework Desaleign, Yonas Solomon, Sintayehu Legesse, Anteneh Worku, Emil Magnus, Sahlemariam Abebe and Tewodros Hailemariam. i Table of Contents Contents Page Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... i Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... ii Glossary of Local terms ............................................................................................................ vi Abstract .................................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE .........................................................................................................................1 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................1 1.1. Background of the Study ...................................................................................................1 1.2. Statement of the Problem ..................................................................................................2 1.3. Objectives of the Study .....................................................................................................3 1.3.1. General Objective........................................................................................................3 1.3.2. Specific Objectives ......................................................................................................3 1.4. Methodology .....................................................................................................................3 1.5. Method of Data Analysis ...................................................................................................5 1.6. Significance of the Study ..................................................................................................6 1.7. Limitation of the study ......................................................................................................6 CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................7 2. Review of Related Literature ...............................................................................................7 2.1. Definition of Culture .........................................................................................................7 2.2. Definition of Solidarity .....................................................................................................9 2.3. Theories on Social Solidarity .......................................................................................... 10 2.3.1. The Classical Theory ............................................................................................... 10 2.3.2. Exchange Theory ..................................................................................................... 16 CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................................... 17 3. The Study Area and People ................................................................................................... 17 ii 3.1. Historical and Geographical Overview .......................................................................... 17 3.2. Means of Subsistence and Economic Activity ................................................................ 18 3.3. Social Structure and Organization .................................................................................. 19 3.3.1. Kinship and Marriage .............................................................................................. 19 3.3.2. Gender Relations ..................................................................................................... 20 3.4. Political Structure and Organization ................................................................................ 21 CHAPTER FOUR ..................................................................................................................... 23 4. Woga and Social Organizations of Gamo............................................................................... 23 4.1. Meaning of Woga in the Gamo Context .......................................................................... 23 4.2. Categories of Woga ............................................................................................................ 28 4.2.1. Chaqo or Hathe Woga .................................................................................................. 28 4.2.2. Gassa Woga ................................................................................................................. 30 4.2.3. Guta Woga ................................................................................................................... 30 4.2.4. Eko Woga .................................................................................................................... 32 CHAPTER FIVE ...................................................................................................................... 34 5. Woga in View of Gender and Marginalized Group ............................................................. 34 5.1. Gender Dimension of Woga ............................................................................................ 34 5.2. Woga in relation to Ayle and Mana groups ...................................................................... 36 5.2.1. Ayle Social Group .................................................................................................... 36 5.2.2. The Mana Social Group ........................................................................................... 38 CHAPTER SIX ......................................................................................................................... 40 6. Implications of Woga in Maintaining Group Solidarity .......................................................... 40 6.1. Woga in Conflict Resolution ........................................................................................... 40 6.1.1. Settlement of Interpersonal Disputies ....................................................................... 40 6.1.2. The Neighborhood Dulata ....................................................................................... 42 iii 6.1.3. Inter Dere Conflict Resolution ................................................................................. 43 CHAPTER SEVEN ................................................................................................................... 48 7. Social Institutions and Casha as a means