University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Major Studies and Reports Commission for Blacks 3-2012 Gadaa (Oromo Democracy): An Example of Classical African Civilization Asafa Jalata Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_blackmaj Recommended Citation Jalata, Asafa, "Gadaa (Oromo Democracy): An Example of Classical African Civilization" (2012). Major Studies and Reports. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_blackmaj/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Commission for Blacks at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Major Studies and Reports by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Gadaa (Oromo Democracy): An Example of Classical African Civilization by Asafa Jalata, Ph.D.
[email protected] Professor of Sociology, Global Studies, and Africana Studies The University of Tennessee, The Department of Sociology Knoxville, Tennessee Abstract The paper briefly introduces and explains the essence of indigenous Oromo democracy and its main characteristics that are relevant for the current condition of Africa in general and Oromo society in particular. It also illustrates how Oromo democracy had functioned as a socio-political institution by preventing oppression and exploitation and by promoting relative peace, security, sustainable development, and political sovereignty, and how the gadaa system organized Oromo society