ADDIS ABABA UNIVERISTY COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES LANGUAGE STUDIES JOURNALISM AND COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS CORONATION AND TRADITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM OF THE DONGA PEOPLE BY EDGET AYELE WORKU ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA JUNE, 2015 0 CORONATION AND TRADITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM OF THE DONGA PEOPLE BY EDGET AYELE A THESIS SUBMITTED TO COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES, LANGUAGE STUDIES, JOURNALISM AND COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT OF DOCUMENTARY LINGUISTICS AND CULTURE IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (DOCUMENTARY LINGUISTICS AND CULTURE) ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA JUNE, 2015 1 Addis Ababa University College of Humanities, Language Studies, Journalism and Communication Department of Linguistics Signed by Examining Committee: ADVISOR SIGNATURE DATE EXAMINER SIGNATURE DATE EXAMINER SIGNATURE DATE Addis Ababa, Ethiopia June, 2015 0 DECLARATION I, the undersigned graduate student, declare that this thesis is my original work and that all sources of materials used in this thesis have been duly acknowledged. Name: Edget Ayele Worku Signature: Date: This thesis has been submitted for examination with my approval as a University Advisor. Name: Ahmed Hassen (PhD) Signature: Date: Place: College of Humanities, Language Studies, Journalism and Communication Department of Linguistics. Date of Submission, Addis Ababa, University Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 0 ABSTRACT This thesis describes the coronation rituals and traditional administrativesystems of Donga People, who lives in southern part of Ethiopia. It further investigates the rolesof traditional institutions; the community’s perceptionstowards their traditional administrativesystem and other related socio-cultural events. To achieve this goal primary and secondary data were used. The data were collected through observation, informal and formal interviews, focus group discussions and reviewing available primary and secondary sources. The findings of the present study showed that the Donga coronation rituals have a considerable role in creating and maintaining the social bond among members of the community. Simultaneously; the annual festivals are also practiced with the presence of respected king and considered as part of the earliest traditional forms of communal thanks-giving. Moreover, hierarchical traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, based on customary laws could create peaceful environment, maintain ongoing societal moral structure and further reduce the burdens of the ‘‘modern jury. The traditional social structure serves as a channel of communication within the entire community. It also helps to plan and implement policies, rules and regulations to further mobilize the people towards development endeavors. The values and practices examined in this study further showed that the particular understanding of given times and the cultural effects of the reformation could in fact make significant changes on social consciousness. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My very first gratitude goes to my dad, Ayele Worku; the completion of this thesis would have not been possible without your thoughtful intellectual effort and guidance. Mum, Etaferhu Zerefu; you have been sincere to help and encourage me throughout my journey. And I am lucky to have you both during those challenging times. My only sister and brother; I would also like to thank your generous concern. Aunt; I never forget your prayer and the charm we had during my post graduate studies including the preparation of this thesis. I owe my greatest appreciation to my decent and resourceful advisor, Dr. Ahmed Hassen. I am sincerely indebted to his incessant and meticulous advice. His immense knowledge and articulate guidance helped me starting from the very onset of thesis preparation until its completion. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of my key informants Alemayhu Lapiso, Kifle Foneqamo, Degefe Ashebo, Kassa Kebede, Berhanu Ludamo and to all my informants whose information is indispensable in writing this thesis. Your willingness, scarification and encouragement enabled me to complete my thesis. My classmates: Aberham, Zekarias, Henok, Mebratu and Zenabu, I also express my deepest gratitude to all of you for marvelous friendship. Our entire journey at school was really amazing and I learned a lot from all of you. Hiwot Bireda, Hiymanot Kagnew, Mihretu Markos and Habtamu Telahun; I will always remember for your all unconditional compassion. iv Table of Contents ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..........................................................................................iv Tabke of content ...................................................................................................... v List of table ................................................................................................................................................ vii List of Maps and figures ....................................................................................................................... viii Glossary of Key Terms ............................................................................................................................ ix Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................. xi CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 An Overview ....................................................................................................... 3 1.2. Statements of the Problem ................................................................................ 5 1.3 Objectives of the Study ...................................................................................... 6 1.3.1 General Objective ................................................................................................................... 6 1.3.2 Specific Objectives ................................................................................................................. 7 1.4. Research Questions .......................................................................................... 6 1.5 Significance of the Study .................................................................................... 7 1.6 Methods of Data Collection and Analysis ............................................................ 8 1.6.1 Qualitative Data Collection Methods ............................................................................... 8 1.6.1.1 Field Trip and Participant Observation ....................................................................... 8 1.6.1.2 Interview ................................................................................................................................ 9 1.6.1.3. Focus Group Discussion ............................................................................................... 10 1.6.2. Published and unpublished Sources ............................................................................ 10 1.6.3. Methods of Data Analysis and Interpretation ............................................................ 10 1.7 Scope of the Study ........................................................................................... 11 1.8. Limitations of the Study .................................................................................. 11 1.9. Some Notes on Phonemic Invontory of KambataLanguage ................................ 12 CHAPTER TWO ......................................................................................................................................... 16 LITRATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL BACKGROUND ...................................................... 16 2.1. Theoretical Background .................................................................................. 16 2.2. Ancient African Kingdoms ............................................................................... 23 2.3. Ethiopian Kingdoms ........................................................................................ 27 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................................... 32 THE STUDY AREA ................................................................................................................................... 32 3.1 The Peopling of the Donga ‘‘Ethnic Group’’ ........................................................ 32 3.2. Origin ............................................................................................................. 34 3.3. The Donga through the March of Time............................................................. 38 v 3.3.1 The Donga Life 1855-1974 ................................................................................................ 40 3.3.2. The Donga under the Derg (1974-1991) ...................................................................... 42 3.3.3 The Donga since 1991 ........................................................................................................ 43 3.4. The Donga Language ....................................................................................... 44 3.5. The Donga Local