DOCSLIB.ORG

The Menelik Conquest from the Perspective of the Boorana

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Menelik Conquest from the Perspective of the Boorana The Menelik Conquest from the Perspective of the Boorana Dereje Feyissa – Markus Virgil Hoehne: Borders and Borderlands as by Chikage OBA-SMIDT1 Resources in the Horn of Africa. Woodbridge 2010 (SZÉLINGER Balázs) 140 Abstract Conference Reports The Menelik Conquest of southern Ethiopia was a major historical event thfor almost all ethnic groups in Ethiopia. It caused social crisis and forced them to Thereconstruct 18 International their world Conference of Ethiopian Studies in Dirre Dawa: views. There is much historical research which seeks to reconstruct how the conquest“Movements really in Ethiopia, Ethiopia in Movement”, 29 October to happened in marginal regions. However, such research tends to ignore how the3 localNovember people 2012 (Wolbert SMIDT – Chikage OBA-SMIDT) 144 perceive this event and how they try to construct their own history inNational their own Workshop: way. This „Socio-cultural Impact Assessment of the Welqayt paper discusses an example of a regional interpretation of “The Menelik Conquest”Sugar and by Irrigation Project”, 6 October 2012, Mekelle University analyzing oral traditions of the Oromo-Boorana. (MITIKU Gabrehiwot) 150 The Mikael Iyasu Library: Mekelle University Acquires 2,500 Books from the Keywords: Menelik Conquest – southern Ethiopia – Oromo – BooranaFamily – oforal the Late Mikael Iyasu – Inauguration (AYELE Bekerie) 153 traditions International Workshop on Documentation and Preservation of Ethiopian Cultural and Art Heritage of the Haddis Alemayehu Cultural and 1. Introduction Research Institute, Debre Markos University, 19 May 2012 – An Illustrated Conference Report (Manuel RAMOS) 155 In this paper, I would like to show an example of a regionalInternational interpretation Workshop of on “Culture, Environment and Development” “The Menelik Conquest” by analyzing oral traditions in the caseat Mekelle of the University, 15 March 2012 (Yoko FURUSAKI) 160 Oromo-Boorana. The Menelik Conquest was a major historicalFrom Ambivalence event for to Acceptance – International Conference on Azmari almost all ethnic groups in Ethiopia. It caused social crisis and forced them to in Ethiopia, University of Hildesheim, 6 − 8 January 2012 reconstruct their world views. There is much historical research which seeks to (Andreas WETTER) 164 reconstruct how the conquest really happened in marginal regions (ex. James et al. 1986; Miyawaki 2006). However, such research tends Workshoto ignorep how“On the History and Culture of the Horn of Africa” at local people perceive this event and how they try to constructMekelle their own Uni versity, 17-18 March 2011 (Carsten HOFFMANN history in their own way. – Zeus WELLNHOFER) 166 Traditionally, historians tend to use oral traditions mainly as a sort of historical record for the reconstruction of the past of societies whose history cannot be reconstructed through documentary evidences. In the 1960s, Research and Expedition Reports Hudson defined history reconstructed “by outsiders” as “ethno-history”. On the other hand, he called historical accounts rememberedA Journeyby local to people Central and Western Tigray (Dietrich RAUE) 169 “folk-history”. He suggested that historians should focus moreDid on the folk gold-hi ofstory, the Aksumites originate in Tigray? A report on ongoing research on local traditions of gold mining in Tigray MIDT EBREMICHAEL 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Foreign Languages, Mekelle University and(Wolbert associated S , in collaboration with G Nguse) 181 researcher at the National Ethnological Museum, Osaka. – I wish to thank Wolbert Smidt for his great interest in my research and his steady encouragement. I especially thank my field assistants, who were always ready to help me in improving my Oromo language skills, and my Research Abstracts numerous Boorana informants for being so ready to share their traditions and knowledge with me. This paper is based on the presentation at a French conference andSel at ectedthe African abstracts Studies of research projects in social sciences and humanities Department of the Asien-Afrika-Institut of Hamburg University. Thank you for having invited me to give a talk on the Boorana oral traditions in December 2008. at Mekelle University 193 42 41 ITYOPIṢ vol. 2 (2012) 5 The Menelik Conquest from the Perspective of the Boorana which is the way history is created and preserved by local people themselves (HudsonDereje Fey 1966).issa – CriticallyMarkus Virgil it could Hoehne perhaps: Borders be remarked and Borderlands that despite as our focus on andResources perception in theof Hornfolk-history, of Africa nonetheless. Woodbridge the 2010 way we deal with a particular(S ZÉLINGERhistory still Balázs) follows an outsider’s point of view, i.e. the Western140 tradition of reconstructing an objective history, different from the more dynamic and fluid traditions in many non-Western societies.Conference Reports Rosaldo also pointed out that we should treat oral tradition mainly as a th culturalThe 18 record,International showing Conference the perception of Ethiopian of the Studiespast from in Dirre a local Dawa: perspective (Rosaldo“Movements 1980). Rosald in oEthiopia, argued that Ethiopia history in represents Movement”, the 29past October from a topresent viewpoint3 November which is 2012confined (Wolbert by cultural SMIDT –world Chikage views. OBA We-SMIDT can) learn about 144 people’sNational Workshop:world views, „Socio ways-cultural of thinking, Impact andAssessment perceptions of the of Welqayt their history throughSugar the analysis and Irrigation of oral traditions.Project”, 6 October 2012, Mekelle University Following(MITIKU this Gabrehiwot) perspective, I would like to use oral traditions not 1to50 reconstruct history but to understand the cultural interpretation of historical The Mikael Iyasu Library: Mekelle University Acquires 2,500 Books from the events from the viewpoint of the Boorana. In this paper, I wish to focus on Family of the Late Mikael Iyasu – Inauguration (AYELE Bekerie) 153 the local perspective, how the Boorana have interpreted, narrated and integratedInternational the Workshop Menelik conquest on Documentation into their history. and Preservation of Ethiopian Cultural and Art Heritage of the Haddis Alemayehu Cultural and 2. The MenelikResearch conquestInstitute, Debre Markos University, 19 May 2012 – An Illustrated Conference Report (Manuel RAMOS) 155 2.1.International The Menelik Workshop conquest on and “Culture, the raaga Environment and Development” The Booranaat Mekelle are agro University,-pastoralis 15ts March who live2012 in (Yoko southern FURUSAKI Ethiopia) and northern 160 Kenya. They speak one of the dialects of the Oromo language. Although they From Ambivalence to Acceptance – International Conference on Azmari belong to the Oromo ethnic groups, they identify themselves specifically as Boorana,in notEthiopia, as Oromo. University of Hildesheim, 6 − 8 January 2012 According(Andreas to WoralETTER traditions) of Boorana which I collected, the Boorana164 emigratedWorkshop in “On the themid- History17th century and Culture from the of theBaale Horn region of Africa”to the land at which they inhabit Mekellenow. They Uni versity,had been 17- 18a totally March 2011independent (Carsten societyHOFFMANN based on a clan- system and– Zeus a generation-gradeWELLNHOFER) system, until the Menelik conquest took place.16 6 Their generation-grade system is called gadaa (ex. Asmarom 1973; Schlee 1989; Tagawa 2000; Baxter 2005). The gadaa is the political institution which makes consensus of the Boorana beyondResearch clan level. and This Expedition institution Reportshas also helped to maintain the Boorana identity and common historical memories amongA Journey the toBoorana. Central and Western Tigray (Dietrich RAUE) 169 The Boorana have oral chronicles based on gadaa. The Boorana chose their Did the gold ofth the Aksumites originate in Tigray? A report on leader fromongoing 6 generation-research ongrade local calledtraditions gadaa of generation- gold miningset in group. Tigray The leader is called(Wolbert abbaa gadaa SMIDT. Abbaa, in collaborationgadaa is chosen with for G 8EBREMICHAEL years at a time. Nguse) He bears the 181 main responsibilities for politics and religious ceremonies of the Boorana society during these 8 years. The Boorana refer to each 8-year period by the name of the respective abbaa gadaa. Until now, there haveResearch been 70 abbaaAbstracts gadaa. The Boorana have memorized the genealogy of abbaa gadaa (see Annex). Thus, whenSelected the abstracts Boorana of narrate research oral projects histories, in social they sciencesrefer to anda specific humanities time by the abbaa gadaaat Mekelle’s name. University According to the Boorana oral chronicles, the ‘Menelik193 ITYOPIṢ vol. 2 (2012) ITYOPIṢ vol. 2 (2012) 43 42 5 Chikage Oba-Smidt conquest’ took place during the period of the 55th abbaa gadaa, Liiban Jaldeessa (c. 1888-1896). Dereje Feyissa – Markus Virgil Hoehne: Borders and Borderlands as The so-called ‘Menelik conquest’ was indeed carried out by ResourcesMenelik II, in the Horn of Africa. Woodbridge 2010 who was emperor of Ethiopia from 1889 until 1913. In the latter (ShalfZÉLINGER of the Balázs) 140 19th century, there were many kingdoms in the area of today’s Ethiopia. Among those kingdoms, the Ethiopian Empire, which was dominated by Conference Reports Amhara and Tigray people, stretched from the Northern to the Central th Highlands. Within the Empire, there were local governors,The 18 princes International and Conference of Ethiopian Studies in Dirre
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Conserving Wildlife in African Landscapes Kenya’S Ewaso Ecosystem
    Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press smithsonian contributions to zoology • number 632 Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press AConserving Chronology Wildlife of Middlein African Missouri Landscapes Plains Kenya’sVillage Ewaso SitesEcosystem Edited by NicholasBy Craig J. M. Georgiadis Johnson with contributions by Stanley A. Ahler, Herbert Haas, and Georges Bonani SERIES PUBLICATIONS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Emphasis upon publication as a means of “diffusing knowledge” was expressed by the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. In his formal plan for the Institution, Joseph Henry outlined a program that included the following statement: “It is proposed to publish a series of reports, giving an account of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year in all branches of knowledge.” This theme of basic research has been adhered to through the years by thousands of titles issued in series publications under the Smithsonian imprint, com- mencing with Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge in 1848 and continuing with the following active series: Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology Smithsonian Contributions to Botany Smithsonian Contributions to History and Technology Smithsonian Contributions to the Marine Sciences Smithsonian Contributions to Museum Conservation Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology In these series, the Institution publishes small papers and full-scale monographs that report on the research and collections of its various museums and bureaus. The Smithsonian Contributions Series are distributed via mailing lists to libraries, universities, and similar institu- tions throughout the world. Manuscripts submitted for series publication are received by the Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press from authors with direct affilia- tion with the various Smithsonian museums or bureaus and are subject to peer review and review for compliance with manuscript preparation guidelines.
    [Show full text]
  • Somalia's Judeao-Christian Heritage 3
    Aram Somalia's Judeao-Christian Heritage 3 SOMALIA'S JUDEAO-CHRISTIAN HERITAGE: A PRELIMINARY SURVEY Ben I. Aram* INTRODUCTION The history of Christianity in Somalia is considered to be very brief and as such receives only cursory mention in many of the books surveying this subject for Africa. Furthermore, the story is often assumed to have begun just over a century ago, with the advent of modem Western mission activity. However, evidence from three directions sheds light on the pre­ Islamic Judeao-Christian influence: written records, archaeological data and vestiges of Judeao-Christian symbolism still extant within both traditional 1 Somali culture and closely related ethnic groups • Together such data indicates that both Judaism and Christianity preceded Islam to the lowland Horn of Africa In the introduction to his article on Nubian Christianity, Bowers (1985:3-4) bemoans the frequently held misconception that Christianity only came recently to Africa, exported from the West. He notes that this mistake is even made by some Christian scholars. He concludes: "The subtle impact of such an assumption within African Christianity must not be underestimated. Indeed it is vital to African Christian self-understanding to recognize that the Christian presence in Africa is almost as old as Christianity itself, that Christianity has been an integral feature of the continent's life for nearly two thousand years." *Ben I. Aram is the author's pen name. The author has been in ministry among Somalis since 1982, in somalia itself, and in Kenya and Ethiopia. 1 These are part of both the Lowland and Highland Eastern Cushitic language clusters such as Oromo, Afar, Hadiya, Sidamo, Kambata, Konso and Rendille.
    [Show full text]
  • A Bayesian Test of the Lineage-Specificity of Word-Order
    A Bayesian test of the lineage-specificity of word-order correlations Gerhard Jäger, Gwendolyn Berger, Isabella Boga, Thora Daneyko & Luana Vaduva Tübingen University DIP Colloquium Amsterdam January 25, 2018 Jäger et al. (Tübingen) Word-order Universals ALT2017 1 / 30 Introduction Introduction Jäger et al. (Tübingen) Word-order Universals ALT2017 2 / 30 Introduction Word order correlations Greenberg, Keenan, Lehmann etc.: general tendency for languages to be either consistently head-initial or consistently head-final alternative account (Dryer, Hawkins): phrases are consistently left- or consistently right-branching can be formalized as collection of implicative universals, such as With overwhelmingly greater than chance frequency, languages with normal SOV order are postpositional. (Greenberg’s Universal 4) both generativist and functional/historical explanations in the literature Jäger et al. (Tübingen) Word-order Universals ALT2017 3 / 30 Introduction Phylogenetic non-independence languages are phylogenetically structured if two closely related languages display the same pattern, these are not two independent data points ) we need to control for phylogenetic dependencies (from Dunn et al., 2011) Jäger et al. (Tübingen) Word-order Universals ALT2017 4 / 30 Introduction Phylogenetic non-independence Maslova (2000): “If the A-distribution for a given typology cannot be assumed to be stationary, a distributional universal cannot be discovered on the basis of purely synchronic statistical data.” “In this case, the only way to discover a distributional universal is to estimate transition probabilities and as it were to ‘predict’ the stationary distribution on the basis of the equations in (1).” Jäger et al. (Tübingen) Word-order Universals ALT2017 5 / 30 The phylogenetic comparative method The phylogenetic comparative method Jäger et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Pastoralism and Conflict Management in the Horn of Africa: a Case Study of the Borana in North Eastern Kenya
    UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (IDIS) Pastoralism and Conflict Management in the Horn of Africa: A Case Study of the Borana in North Eastern Kenya FELIX W. WATAKILA R50/75924/2014 A Research Project Submitted in Partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Masters of Arts Degree in International Studies. 2011 5 DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been submitted for any Award in any other University. ……………………………. Date……………….…………..……… Felix W. Watakila This thesis has been submitted for examination with my approval as the assigned University Supervisor. …………………………….. Date…………………………… Dr. Kizito Sabala Lecturer, Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (IDIS) University of Nairobi i DEDICATION I wish to dedicate this work to my dear family, my wife Jackline Khayesi Ligami and to our children Elizabeth Kakai Watakila and Charles Mukabi Watakila, for their support, patience and sacrifice during my study. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I acknowledge my supervisor Dr. Kizito Sabala for his guidance and input throughout this research study. I further wish to appreciate the committed leadership and direction of the college commandant Lt Gen J N Waweru and the entire faculty staff, for providing an enabling atmosphere during the course duration that enabled me to complete this thesis on time. I also give special thanks to the University of Nairobi lecturers, for their tireless efforts to equip me with the necessary tools for my study. I further wish to thank my fellow course participants of Course 17 of 2014/2015, for their constant support and encouragement. iii ABSTRACT Generally, the study is about pastoralism and conflict management in the Horn of Africa using Borana of Kenya as a case study.
    [Show full text]
  • Ethiopia, Kenya and the Oromo Quest,Policing Black
    An Encounter With Blackness in Amsterdam By Oyunga Pala The Dam square, a major tourist trap in Amsterdam, is one of its busiest locations, often teeming with visitors flowing from the streets of Kalverstraat, Damstraat and Nieuwendijk in the heart of the Amsterdam canal zone. Dam Square is within walking distance of the Red-Light district and the Amsterdam Central Station. On the east side of the tram tracks is the Amsterdam national monument, a prominent obelisk erected in 1956 in memory of the World War II soldiers, that I hardly noticed when I arrived in Amsterdam in September 2019 from Nairobi, Kenya. Dutch historian, Leo Balai, author of the book Slave Ship De Leusden, noted that there are two stories of the Amsterdam canal zone. Amsterdam’s Golden Age in the 17th Century, is a story of pride and prestige but also one of astonishment shrouded in shame. The Dam square is an architectural marvel that is of great historical significance to the makeup of the city. Built as a dam in the 13th century at the mouth of the Amstel river to hold back the sea, the city grew around it and the modern metropolis of Amsterdam would emerge from these origins. This square was considered the birthplace of capitalism when the 1st Stock Exchange in the world opened in 1611. These were to be my impressions of Amsterdam’s history were it not for two significant events that happened in 2020. The first was the coronavirus pandemic and the second was the murder of George Floyd. The Dam square morphed into an intriguing site of conflated memories, depending on who you asked.
    [Show full text]
  • ASAA-2019-Abstracts
    African Studies Association in Africa (ASAA) 2019 Conference Individual Abstracts Ordering the Other: A Feminist Interrogation of Carole Boyce Davies’ Maidens, Mistresses and Matrons: Feminine Images in Selected Soyinka’s Work Olalere Kunle Oluwafemi Patriarchy exemplifies the institutionalization of denigration and ordering of the African woman. The misrepresentation of African women resonates beyond ‘role playing’ into the creation of a structural and linguistic culture that further downplays the rights of the African woman through relegation and stereotyping as objects of sexuality and naivety. The recognition of the need to affirm the essence of gender equity by frontally challenging role- ascription and heteronormativity in Africa demands a canonization of its ideals. This paper, therefore, rethinks the basis for the emergence and perpetuation of a structural and linguistic culture that feeds the society’s misrepresentation. It employs Carole Boyce Davies “Maidens, Mistresses and Matrons: Feminine Images in Selected Soyinka’s Work” in relocating the discourse on women right within the African society. It discovers a portrayal of women as either “foolish virgins” or “female fatale” as embedded in Soyinka’s work. Also, it affirms that ascribing demeaning roles to women is a point in reference in resolving issues of gender equity. It concludes that recognition of the writers’ ability to create new realities, encapsulates the quest for a renewed vigor in the positive portrayal of the women. Keywords: Patriarchy, Feminist consciousness, equity, African woman, women right “Feeding Lo-debar”: Peasant agriculture, urban development and survival in Zimbabwe Kauma Bryan Umaru Small grains have always mattered to small farmers. But now they are receiving renewed attention from various sectors of society including agricultural experts, the business fraternity and academics from Development Studies, Economics and Sociology.
    [Show full text]
  • 37 Kenia (ID Zentralafrika)
    37 Kenia (ID Zentralafrika) Tabelle IV, L. 37: Die analytischen Grundeinheiten (AGE) Kenias Atlas-Nr. AGE Grösse % 51 Codes Taxonomie in der Referenzliteratur: 1960 Morrison (1972:271) (% 1967) a. Central Bantu Cluster (38 %) 108 KIKUYU 20.60 EA Kikuyu 1. Kikuyu (19 %) 776 KAMBA 11.24 EA Kamba 2. Kamba (11 %) 777 MERU 5.19 EA Meru 3. Meru (5 %) 777 Embu 1.11 EA Meru 4. Embu (1 %) 777 Mbere 0.47 EA Meru 5. Mbere 777 Tharaka 0.49 EA Meru 6. Tharaka - - 7. Chuka. 8. Igoji, 9. Miutini, - - 10. Mwimbi, 11. Muthambi b. Western Bantu (Kavirondo) Cluster (19 %) 1. Luhya (13 %) 783 Isukha 0.70 EA Vugusu i. Isukka 783 Idakho 0.51 EA Vugusu ii. Idakho 783 West-Nyala 0.25 EA Vugusu iv. Nyalavi. 783 Tsotso 0.31 EA Vugusu v. Tsotso 783 Wanga 0.79 EA Vugusu vi. Wanga 783 Marama 0.47 EA Vugusu vii. Marama 783 Nyole 0.81 EA Vugusu ix. Nyore 783 Maragoli 1.12 EA Vugusu x. Maragoli 783 BUKUSU 3.49 EA Vugusu xvi. Bukusu 782 Kabras 0.71 EA Tiriki iii. Kabras 782 Kisa 0.54 EA Tiriki viii. Kisa 782 TIRIKI 0.56 EA Tiriki xi. Tiriki 782 Khayo 0.40 EA Tiriki xii. Bakhayo 782 Tachon 0.31 EA Tiriki xiii. Tachoni 782 Marachi 0.40 EA Tiriki xiv. Marach 782 Samia 0.34 EA Tiriki xv. Samia 639 GUSII 6.57 EA Gusii 2. Kisii (Gusii) (6 %) 1516 Kuria 0.56 AE Kuria 3. Kuria 1516 Suba 0.46 AE Kuria - 318 LUO 14.05 EA Luo c.
    [Show full text]
  • Thesis Reference
    Thesis A pragmatic analysis of figurative language used in HIV/AIDS discourse in Kenia: a case study of english and Kiswahili messages MAGONYA, Lilian Abstract This research investigates whether Kenyans from 42 mutually intelligible communities homogeneously comprehend AIDS posters. In this regard, the five research objectives are: (1) to investigate whether Kenyan AIDS posters are skewed towards implicitness or explicitness, (2) to access to what extent do addressees comprehend AIDS posters, (3) to carry out an in-depth lexico-pragmatic analysis of processes involved in the Kenyan AIDS discourse, (4) to study the various conceptualizations of AIDS in figurative discourse and analyze Kenyan mental representations of AIDS in various communities, (5) to examine ethno-cultural stereotypes inhibiting the implementation of AIDS posters. To achieve this, the study's conceptual framework comprises the Relevance Theory, the Conceptual Blending Theory and the Idealized Cognitive Model Theory. Further, in the analysis of 61 questionnaires distributed to Maseno Division and Eldoret Town respondents in Kenya, and also 21 AIDS posters drawn from various Kenyan NGOs websites engaged in AIDS campaigns, qualitative and quantitative techniques are used. Reference MAGONYA, Lilian. A pragmatic analysis of figurative language used in HIV/AIDS discourse in Kenia: a case study of english and Kiswahili messages. Thèse de doctorat : Univ. Genève, 2012, no. L. 742 URN : urn:nbn:ch:unige-194526 DOI : 10.13097/archive-ouverte/unige:19452 Available at: http://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:19452
    [Show full text]
  • Politics of Territoriality in Ethiopia: the Case of the Pastoral Gabra of Southern Ethiopia
    Politics of Territoriality in Ethiopia: the Case of the Pastoral Gabra of Southern Ethiopia Fekadu Adugna1 Abstract The paper examines the current explosion of identity politics in Ethiopia and its entanglement with territoriality. It explains how neighboring groups negotiate, contest, re/construct and deconstruct their politico-territorial positions. It focuses on the processes by which the rules of political participation produce and reinforce ethno-territoriality, and examines the interplay between ethnic identity politics, territoriality and pastoral livelihood. Taking the case of the pastoral Gabra and their relationship with their neighbors, the Borana in Southern Ethiopia, I argue that the rule of political participation, whether it is practical or mere elite aspiration, has created a new form of territoriality that has altered the long-standing local inter-group relationships and negatively affected the local livelihoods. Key words: Borana, Gabra, identity politics, pastoralism, territoriality 1 Assistant Professor of Social Anthropology, Department of Social Anthropology, Addis Ababa University. The data used for this article was collected with the financial support from Max-Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Germany. Fekadu Adugna Political Structure and Policies in the Post-1991 Ethiopia In 1991 a regime that had ruled Ethiopia for 17 years was defeated by ethnic based insurgents; among others, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). Upon gaining power, EPRDF’s program evolved into a Provisional Charter – the document by which the country was ruled between 1991 and 1995. The Charter secured support from numerous ethnic based political parties, among whom the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) is considered a co-author of the Charter.
    [Show full text]
  • The Case of Borana Oromo
    Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2020, 8, 19-31 https://www.scirp.org/journal/jss ISSN Online: 2327-5960 ISSN Print: 2327-5952 The Roles, Challenges and Opportunities of Gadaa System in Resolving Water Conflict: The Case of Borana Oromo Ketema Tafa Biratu1, Obsa Mamo Kosa2 1Department of Civics and Ethical Studies, Madda Walabu University; Bale Robe, Ethiopia 2Department of Afan Oromo and Literature, Madda Walabu University; Bale Robe, Ethiopia How to cite this paper: Biratu, K. T., & Abstract Kosa, O. M. (2020). The Roles, Challenges and Opportunities of Gadaa System in Re- The main objective of this study was to explore the roles, challenges and op- solving Water Conflict: The Case of Borana portunities of Gadaa system on water conflict resolution in Borana Zone of Oromo. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 8, Oromia. Qualitative method was used to achieve the objectives of the study. 19-31. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2020.82002 Relevant information was gathered from both primary and secondary sources. With regard to collecting the primary data, key informant interview; struc- Received: January 6, 2020 tured and semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and observa- Accepted: February 10, 2020 Published: February 13, 2020 tion were used. The study revealed that the Gadaa system has been an egalita- rian socio-economic, political and cultural system which had been practiced Copyright © 2020 by author(s) and by the Oromo society for a long time. It had been guiding and regulating the Scientific Research Publishing Inc. life of the Oromo in relation to other peoples and their environment.
    [Show full text]
  • The Contingency Fund and the Thirteenth Cow Sibel Kusimba
    Money, Mobile Money and Rituals in Western Kenya: The Contingency Fund and the Thirteenth Cow Sibel Kusimba Abstract: This paper, based on fieldwork in Western Kenya from 2012 to 2016, describes how life cycle rituals collect and distribute different forms of money, including land, property, personhood, animals, cash, and digital moneys. It specif- ically examines a ritual coming of age for adolescent boys. By organizing multiple forms of money relative to the phases of a human life, the past, and the future, these rituals serve to manage and transfer wealth across generations and to give these transfers social and moral dimensions. The study provokes a critique of financial initiatives in the Global South that often assume that the financial goals of the poor are short-term. Résumé: Basé sur des recherches de terrain dans l’ouest du Kenya de 2012 à 2016, cet article décrit comment des rites du cycle de vie sont mobilisés pour collecter et distribuer différentes formes d’objets de valeur, y compris la terre, la propriété, la personnalité, les animaux, l’argent comptant et l’argent numérique. Spécifiquement, nous examinons un rite de puberté pour des adolescents. En organisant plusieurs formes d’argent relatives aux phases d’une vie humaine, le passé et le futur, ces rites aident à gérer et transférer la richesse à travers les générations et donnent à ces transferts des dimensions sociales et morales. L’étude amène vers une critique des nouvelles initiatives financières introduites dans les pays du Sud qui souvent estiment que les objectifs des pauvres ne sont qu’à court terme.
    [Show full text]
  • Snakes, People, and Spirits, Volume Two
    Snakes, People, and Spirits, Volume Two Snakes, People, and Spirits, Volume Two: Traditional Eastern Africa in its Broader Context By Robert Hazel Snakes, People, and Spirits, Volume Two: Traditional Eastern Africa in its Broader Context By Robert Hazel This book first published 2019 Cambridge Scholars Publishing Lady Stephenson Library, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2PA, UK British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Copyright © 2019 by Robert Hazel All rights for this book reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. ISBN (10): 1-5275-3779-X ISBN (13): 978-1-5275-3779-8 To Professor Jean-Claude Muller, recently deceased, whose commitment to African studies and comparative anthropology was outstanding. His on- going support and encouragement enabled the author to undertake and carry out this wide-ranging research programme. TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements .................................................................................... ix List of Illustrations ..................................................................................... xi Introduction ............................................................................................... xii Part V: Ophidian Symbolism in Southern Ethiopia Chapter 5.1 .................................................................................................
    [Show full text]