Info For Yous Borana People: The Largest Oromo Pastoralist In Addition To Sort People Of Eastward Africa

“We are pastoralists today, as well as tomorrow nosotros are pastoralists.
Farming is an invasion,” Murku,Borana Tribal Elder, describing how pastoralism is their life as well as the vogue Ethiopian govt is supporting commercial international farmers to encroach on their land.

Borana woman parent as well as child. Courtesy: World_Discoverer

The Borana are 1 of the major semi-nomadic pastoralist Oromo Cushitic-speaking people living inward Eastern as well as North Eastern Africa. Cushitic speakers have got occupied parts of north-eastern as well as eastern Africa for as long as recorded history. There are almost 4 1 chiliad one thousand Borana people, most living inward Ethiopia.
Borana people are found mainly inward Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (99%), but are spread from as far as:
• Northern Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Oromia part (southern Tigray Region), mostly inward Liban as well as Dire.
• Republic of Kenya (mainly northern). About 44% of the Republic of Kenya Borana alive inward Marsabit District, into Tana River District as well as Garissa District. About 80% of the Borana inward Marsabit District alive inward Sololo, Saku, Waso as well as Moyale Divisions. Those inward Isiolo District are concentrated inward Merti as well as Garba Tula.
• Even as far due south as Lamu Island.

Borana tribe man

The Borana characterize 1 of largest of the Cushitic groups occupying the Horn of Africa. Their physical features, culture, linguistic communication as well as other confirm clearly the fact that they are native to this component subdivision of Africa. The Borana tribe is a department of a major grouping known as Galla. There are 4 sub-groups – the Gabbra, the Sakuyye, the Boran-gutu as well as the Waat.

The Gabbra (or Gabra), an assimilated Borana people inward the Chalbi desert of northern Kenya

Identity: The word spelled Borana is pronounced amongst the finally vowel silent. It refers to the people or their linguistic communication as well as also way "friend" or "kind person". Thus, a bad someone may live told he is non Borana.

Wako, Borana chieftain amongst a stick on the shoulders - Kenya. Photographer Eric Lafforgue

The Land of the Borana
Three hundred as well as 20 kilometers N of Nairobi, the majuscule metropolis of Kenya, the route of Addis Ababa takes a traveller to a dry out part of the country. The landscape hither is tranquillity unlike from the cooler as well as wetter Republic of Kenya highlands. These 2 geographical regions are separated yesteryear Isiolo, a town which serves as a gateway to the large expanse of solid ground previously called the N.F.D. (Northern Frontier District). This area, which includes the nowadays twenty-four hr catamenia of Northern Eastern Province as well as a large component subdivision of Eastern Province of Republic of Kenya (Marsabit, Isiolo, Wajir, Garissa as well as Mandera Districts), covers 240,000 foursquare kilometers which is twoscore percentage of Kenya.

Portrait of Borana adult woman leaning on anthill. Borana people are the oldest of the grouping Oromo, living on the border betwixt Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as well as Kenya. They are semi-nomadic herders, The Borana women habiliment a caput scarf colorful coverings as well as beautiful necklaces. Photographer: Anthony Pappone

The solid ground gradually rises northwards towards the Ethiopian Highlands, as well as is largely made of real ancient sedimentary as well as volcanic rocks. The solid ground is mainly flat, though inward Marsabit District are found cones as well as craters which cast mountains such as Marsabit (1705 m), Kulal (2831 m), as well as the Hurri Hills (1456 m). During the Old Stone Age (about 1 one chiliad one thousand years ago) the Marsabit volcanic current overran a lake. As a resultant the lake dried upwardly as well as its bed formed the present-day Chalbi Desert. Lying unopen to this is the Dido Galgallu Desert whose barren as well as rocky surface is hard to locomote across.

Climate
The N.F.D. as a whole has both a semi-desert as well as a desert climate. Most areas have got an average of only 200 or 300 mm of pelting a twelvemonth or fifty-fifty less. There are 2 rainfall seasons (March to May as well as Oct to December) as well as an average monthly rainfall of 50 mm or to a greater extent than occurs only inward Apr or May. The relaxation of the pelting inward Nov as well as Dec comes downwards inward heavy storms.
The average temperature is betwixt 22 as well as 27C, but the temperature attain is real wide. The skies are almost ever clear, as well as this fact, together amongst the intense heat, way that all surface H2O evaporates at a dandy rate. So surface H2O is real scarce as well as the only reliable sources of H2O are the Webi Daua River on the Kenya-Ethiopia border as well as the N Uaso Nyiro River which originates inward the Nyandarua mountains as well as drains into the Lorian Swamp, 530 kilometers away from its source.
Except for the woods circular Marsabit as well as those nigh rivers, the solid ground is composed of thorn bush, thickets as well as truthful desert scrub as well as grass.

Most of the bush is deciduous, as well as some is evergreen. The sparse grass comprehend is so sensitive to H2O that shortly after pelting the sun-burnt bare solid ground is covered yesteryear a luxurious ocean of greenery. Among other animals, nosotros uncovering hither the reticulated giraffe, mutual as well as Grey’s zebra, ostrich, gerenuk, oryx, dark rhino, elephant, buffalo, dikdik, lion, leopard, hyena as well as cheetah. Also occupying a fairly large component subdivision of the N.F.D. are the pastoral Borana people who are believed to have got herded their livestock downwards from the Horn of Africa into their nowadays homeland a long fourth dimension ago.

Language
Borana are speakers of Afaan Oromo. Afaan oromo is Eastern Cushitic language, a classification that belongs to the theatre unit of measurement of Afro-Cushitic. Borana refers to their linguistic communication as afan Borana, a dominant linguistic communication spoken inside the Borana part inward Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as well as Kenya.

The parallel "modern" phenomena of rapid population growth as well as decreasing availability of productive grazing solid ground threaten the Borana people. Contacts amongst other nomadic peoples Pb to clashes, sometimes bloody, for land. Also they have got been increasingly dependent upon relief agencies for help, which is culturally repugnant to these proud people.

Because at that spot are several peoples who at nowadays speak the Borana language, the Borana proper may live farther distinguished as the Gutu Borana. Their linguistic communication has been adopted yesteryear the Gabbra as well as Sakuye, who originally came from the same roots as the somali as well as Rendille peoples. About 8,000 of the Ajuuraan also speak Borana.

Borana girl

Origin/History
The root of the Borana people is straightforward but as a resultant of political nature of ascension to the Ethiopian Central government, some other Ethiopians rely on erroneous history to deny Borana (and their parent tribe Oromos) as aliens inward Ethiopia. Relying on European they claim "“These Gallas are 1 of the Abyssinian problems. They flare-up into the solid ground inward the sixteenth century. Where they came from is uncertain, but they made goodness their position, as well as contributed inward no little story to the ruin of the Abyssinian Empire, specially after the queen mother, almost the middle of the 18th century, for purposes of her own, brought almost a matrimony betwixt the king, her son, as well as a Galla, as well as thereby introduced Galla intrigues into the political complications of the kingdom. The call "Galla" is said to signify, inward their tongue, "invader," but the Mohammedans have got a curious legend that it was given them yesteryear Mohammed, when a messenger sent yesteryear him to their primary to require them to profess the Mohammedan faith, returned, saying, "He says, no" (ga la). "Then," answered the prophet,” permit that call live henceforth the call of the whole race who have got refused to believe the revelations of the Angel Gabriel."

Borana elder at Chew Bet inward southern Ethiopia.

There tin live no greater error than to confound, as has been done, the Gallas amongst the Moors. They are a completely unlike race”(Views inward Central Abyssinia, Sophie F. F. Veitch, 1868).
The Gallas, amongst the green pride of wild as well as independent nations, telephone telephone themselves exclusively Orma, i. e. " men," " the people "; as well as an private amid them is Ilm 'orma, " a boy (or one) of the people," corresponding literally amongst the Standard Arabic ibn-el-nas—" gentilis," " well-born," "free"—as opposed to the abd or slave.
In the same way, therefore, as the gratis Galla styles himself Ilm 'orma, he calls his linguistic communication Afan Orma, "the people's tongue"—lit. " mouth." (Philological Society (Great Britain)., Philological Society (Great Britain), Louis Loewe – 1846)
About the word “Orma”..
The Orma is a tribe found inward Eastern Kenya, mostly along the lower Tana River. They are also called Galla, a term used inward Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (but at nowadays considered pejorative) to refer to Oromo people.
The Orma are semi-nomadic shepherds. They alive inward the southeastern deserts of Republic of Kenya except during the rainy flavour when they displace their herds inland. The tribe has a population of almost 70.000 people (2005). It has is ain language, also called Orma (Encyclopedia).
“...They (Gallas) came out from Republic of Guinea as well as have got subjugated as well as invaded the next provinces of Abyssinia; Gedma, Angota, Dawra, Fatagar, Wied, Ifar, Gurage, Ganz, Cont, Damota, Walcka, Bizama, Shewa as well as Bali”(Ancient as well as Modern History as well as Geography, Jean B. D’Audiffret, 1694).
The higher upwardly quotations from sources denying Oromo people as well as for that thing Boranas as non indigenous Ethiopian tribe is a palpable falsehood. It is believed that Oromos inhabited a territory surrounding mada walabu, a part located inward southern Oromia part of Ethiopia, before expansion inward all direction.
Existing data indicates that the Borana lived as a community of people for thousands of years inward East Africa (Prouty at al, 1981).
Bates (1979) asserts, “The Gallas (Borana) were a real ancient race, the indigenous stock, possibly, on which most other peoples inward this component subdivision of eastern Africa have got been grafted”. It is possible that they have got existed for a longer catamenia of fourth dimension side yesteryear side amongst their northern Semitic-speaking neighbors.
Harold G. Marcus hints northwest Borena as the original homeland of the Borana. Settled Borana began to integrate amongst their Amharic-speaking neighbors at to the lowest degree from the 17th century on.
Borana draw their root to Tulu Nama Durii, currently known as Mada Walaabu. The Liban territory, together amongst some other Borana region, Dire that is located to the W of Dawa River, are still some of the traditional territories of the Borana. The population growth caused congestion inward little areas as well as imposed rigid pressure level on resources. It was as well as so decided that each clan should facial expression for novel solid ground out of Madda Eela Walabo territorial area. The Borana, which is the eldest clan, was instructed to displace towards the south. The Gujii took the share of the West. Arsi, Karrayyu as well as Qottu pushed towards the east. The Maccha as well as Tulaama Oromos headed towards the west. The expedition was made amongst retreat. In the physical care for some of the Oromos were engulfed yesteryear other ethnic groups as well as lost their linguistic communication as well as culture. Thus, they are non known today.

Borana elder

The expansion of the Oromo field was 1 of the dandy events inward the annals of African history comparable inward its magnitude to the expansion of the Zulu field of southern Africa as well as the Fulani field of West Africa. These are 3 of the most expansive population movements yesteryear well-organized pastoral societies that have got been recorded yesteryear historians of Africa.
According to Waaqqoo Aboo, as well as as other Oromos also believe, the Oromo, speaking the Cushitic language, is said to have got originated from a identify called Madda Eela Walaabo (spring of Walaabo) inward Bale Zone, 35 km East of Bidre town which is almost 95 kms away from Negelle Borana town. At Madda Walaabo the Oromo, prior to their dispersion, had been ruled yesteryear 25 successive abba gadas. That was almost 200 years as one-abba gada rules for 8 years. The Borana migration to the nowadays part was led yesteryear an abba gada called Abbay Baabo Oroo. The Borana have got bee ruled yesteryear 43 abba gada since then, which may live 540 years agone (1449), as well as this is also confirmed yesteryear Borbor Bule (Golloo Huqqa, 1996).
The Liiban Borana ofttimes refers to themselves as Sarkamtu. They believe that they are defenders of Borana identity symbolized yesteryear the guutu, a braided tuft of pilus on the top of the head. This wore yesteryear men from warrior-hood until the finally culmination of buufata at Gadamoji, entry into retired elder-hood.
H5N1 adult man without cattle is called Qolle guutu hiikhan, “a destitute whose gutu is unbraided “. Such a someone cannot perform his social obligations, espouse or participate inward rituals. In resultant he loses his identity as a Borana. H5N1 someone cannot live Borana yesteryear nascence alone, since becoming stockless tin deny that identity. Borantiti has a moral dimension of peaceful good being, unselfishness as well as honor for a mutual law. Violator of these moral standards are similar foreigners, nyaap’a or perpetual enemies, Sidi.
The oral traditions of Borana demonstrate that their ancestors (at to the lowest degree the majority) were resident inward Dirre as well as Liiban before arrival of Boran Guutu inward the sixteenth century. Boran guutu, a little but politically as well as ritually to a greater extent than powerful group, incorporated the clans of Heero Abba Biiya as well as only as well as so did the identity of Borana proper as known today, emerge.

Through merchandise as well as intermarriage the Garre gradually got a foothold inward Borana territory as well as established little settlements. To gain access to key resources they influenced Borana leaders amongst gifts, fiina.
During the 16th century, next the wars betwixt the kingdom of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as well as the neighboring Sultanate of Adal, which resulted inward the exhaustion of both states, Boranas moved N into their territories.
The Ethiopian monk Bahrey, writing inward 1593, credited the Borana achievement to the existence of besides many non-fighting classes inward the ruling Ethiopian hierarchy, as opposed to the Boranas, whom he illustrated as having a homogeneous warrior class.

He also affirmed their spread (as resultant of their inhospitable homeland) into northwestern areas such as:
• Arsi
• Shewa
• Welega
• Gojjam
• Hararghe
• Wollo
Several Borana chieftains gained powerfulness inward regime of the monarchy. Particularly Emperor Iyoas I (1730-55), who was one-half Borana, favored his mother’s Borana kinsmen as well as allies, as well as inward his era, the Borana linguistic communication was the linguistic communication of the courtroom inward Gondar.
By the like shooting fish in a barrel 18th century, the influence of the primal regime of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia had declined, as well as local governors as well as kings enjoyed greater autonomy.

During the era of Zemene Mesafint (which lasted until 1855), the Borana dynasty of chiefs of Yejju were the most of import uninterrupted line of warlords to dominate the figurehead emperors of Ethiopia.
They plough out to live sub-kings of Begemder, Regents of the empire, as good as royal father-in-laws. Ras Ali I of Yejju attained this ascendence inward 1779, as well as it continued, although contested yesteryear other warlords, until the 1855 defeat of Ras Ali II of Yejju yesteryear the upstart Kassa Hailu (who became Emperor Tewodros II).
Due to the powerlessness of the Emperor of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia during the Zemene Mesafint, the Yejju Borana were successfully the rulers of Ethiopia. Other tribes as well as chiefs of the Borana people were also famous, such as:
• Lady Menen of Wollo who became Empress inward 1800s
• Ras Mohammad of Wollo who became Ras Mikael, afterwards Negus of Siyon as well as manful someone parent of Emperor Iyasu V
• Menen, of Ambassel, who became Empress Consort of Haile Selassie

Newly arrived Borana tribe people inward US. Circa 1910

H5N1 photograph from "Augustus F. Sherman: Ellis Island Portraits 1905-1920." Courtesy of the Statue of Liberty National Monument,

the Ellis Island Immigration Museum as well as the Aperture Foundation

The Borana migration to the southernmost lowland occurred around sixteenth-century. This migration was facilitated yesteryear the Gada system, amongst its militaristic as well as expansionistic features; Gada scheme was a Boran traditional establishment that has structured social, political as well as economical life of the wider Borana. Since the 1600s, the Borana have got been migrating, as well as currently distributed all over the world (North America, Europe, Canada, England, as well as Australia) forming component subdivision of a wider African Diaspora network.

Borana tribe immigrants inward US. Circa 1910

H5N1 photograph from "Augustus F. Sherman: Ellis Island Portraits 1905-1920." Courtesy of the Statue of Liberty National Monument,

the Ellis Island Immigration Museum as well as the Aperture Foundation

The Economy
The Borana are pastoralists, though a few also grow crops around Marsabit as well as Moyale, or inward the southern Ethiopian highlands. There are also a few irrigation schemes inward Isiolo District. The relaxation of the solid ground has besides harsh a climate for growing crowing crops as well as hither the Borana are pastoralists. The Waat are hunters as well as gatherers and, because of their real little numbers, they have got long attached themselves to other Boran clans, as well as inward the physical care for they have got acquire completely dispersed.

http://www.boranavoices.org/page5.html

Borana Moiety

The Borana are divided into 2 moieties, Sabbo as well as Gona. Areero Boru Bakkalcha designed this. Also he organized clans as well as sub-clans. Every 1 is answerable firstly to his-own closest sub-clan inward an ascending order. Sharing of resources as well as settling disputes starts yesteryear the nearest sub-clans, which eventually proceed to the clan as well as finally brought to the attending of the Gumii.

Borana women at the kitchen

Moiety	submoiety	clan	lineage
Sabboo	Digalu Karrayyu Maxxari	Gobbu as well as Emmaji Dayyu as well as Basu Bokkicha as well as Kallicha	Nurtu,Titti,Udumtu,malajji,Daddo.Aru Metta,Gadulla,Doranni,mankata, karara,kuku as well as garjeda
Goonaa	Fullelle Haroressa	Daccitu, maccitu,galantu,sirayyu,oditu,konnitu as well as bachitu Hawaxu,Qarqabdu,warri jidda,dambitu,nonitu,maliyyu as well as arsi

There is also a pattern of alliance as well as mutual assistance that operates across moieties. This is a bind betwixt specific lineage or clan is known as sunsuma. When 2 grade or lineage are sunsuma to each other, they are expected to care for each other amongst special difference. An private is gratis to usage the wells of his sunsuma partners.

Qallu institution

The men who have got the ritual powerfulness as well as the responsibleness to organize the election of gada leaders (until 1970’s) are the heads of the 2 moieties. These are the 2 men known as Qallu.

The root of Qallus was told similar this:

Borana clans were 1 time caught inward a real bad draught (bona). The gada classes told the people to hold back inward their respective camps. They told them that “muda” volition come upwardly as well as that they should non go away inward search of H2O as well as pastures, leaving the shrines unprotected, After many weeks passed, most of the clans began to leave. Only the Daccitu as well as the Oditu remained. In the terminate fifty-fifty the Daccitu left. When the “muda” arrived, they found only the Oditu at the shrine. One adult man amid them was thus anointed Qallu. That is why the Oditu say “obsan qalloman”. That way that those who have got the powerfulness to withstand hardships tin acquire Qallu.

The qallu of the Karrayyu, on the other mitt was simply found on the ground wrapped inward stuff (rufa). No trunk knows if he had human parents. H5N1 Waata, a fellow member of the Sakuyye Gedo clan, found him. The Waata also saw that a missy was sitting beside him. She was a fellow member of the Mattarri clan, the Metta lineage. The Waata told people that he had seen such children. The Karrayyu came to reckon them. They took them home. When they came of age, the man child as well as the missy married each other. They became the foremost qallu as well as the foremost qallitti of the Sabbo. To this twenty-four hr catamenia the qallu of the Karrayyu tin take his qallitti only from the Mattarri-Metta clan.

The qallu is the only kid his woman parent is allowed to raise. If she brings forth daughters, they are given upwardly for adoption.

The qallu of the sabbo comes from the Dayyu clan of the karrayyu submoiety, as well as the qallu of the Gona comes from the Oditu clan of the Fullelle.

The clan affiliation of the Qallitti is also specified yesteryear custom. The wives of the qallu karrayyu tin come upwardly only from Mattarri-Metta, as well as the qallitti of the Oditu tin live a fellow member only of the Digalu-Emmaji. Thus the qallu of the karrayyu is the only Borana who is allowed, or rather required, to violate Borana rules of exogamy.

“Lallaba” ceremony: - Is inward which the qallku organizes as well as oversees the election of gada leaders. Every 8 years the qallu are confronted amongst many candidates seeking office. Further more, a large number of people who are non seeking office, but who want to limited their back upwardly of 1 or some other candidates, also come upwardly to the qallu villages, but at nowadays this responsiblility has given to gada establishment since 1970’s.

The moiety leaders (qallu), who are the most senior men inward the kinship scheme are barred yesteryear custom from seeking gada business office for themselves as well as from trying inward whatever way to influence the political as well as ritual activities of the gada councils.

Among the Sabbo it is the mana qallu of Karrayyu as a whole, i.e. the major lineage (karrayyu-dayyu)- that is barred; whereas inward the Gona moiety, the restriction is imposed on the entire Oditu clan. Both these groups are admitted into the junior (garba) council. Qallu is barred from carrying arms as well as from taking component subdivision inward whatever of the activities Borana consider specially masculine.

The leaders of the Gada as well as Qallu institutions were required to avoid each other for the entire term of business office of the Gada leaders. For the duration of the term of business office of the gada leaders, Qallu as well as Abba Gada do non participate inward the same ritual or political activity. There are 2 political ceremonies inward which they are both physically present: lallaba, where the newly elected Gada leaders are proclaimed before the nation, as well as the national assembly where the laws are proclaimed. In both instances the Qallu say nada as well as do nothing: they are at that spot as observers.

In the 3rd event, the Muda, they human face each other as well as address each other. The Abba Gada pays homage to the Qallu as well as receives his blessings. This is the only trial when the ritual seniority of the Qallu over the Abba Gada is made manifest. The political seniority of the Abba Gada over the Qallu is self evident inward every Gada ritual as well as political ceremony. The pattern of avoidance betwixt the elected political leaders (Gada) as well as the hereditary ritual leaders (Qallu) is 1 of the most interesting features of Oromo democracy.

It sometimes happens that the Qallitti’s boy (the 1 to inherit) is real immature when the old Qallu dies. Then the qallu’s blood brother or someone else may Pb until the kid has reached the right age.

Even though the Qallu business office is a hereditary at that spot are also possibilities to take them from power.

On the occasion of the total solar eclipse, the Borana may take from business office whatever elected, appointed, or hereditary leader- including the Qallu. When the eclipse is sighted, the Qllu may live held responsible for the ominous event.

The Abba Gada tin live removed from business office inward middle of their term (4th year) yesteryear national assembly if needs be.

Borana Oromo Troupe from Isiolo Performs at Alliance Francaise inward Nairobi

Gada System

H5N1 adult man called Ali Guracha before the establishment of Gada scheme for long catamenia led Oromo. They called Ali an Oamora. This scheme of existence ruled nether 1 leader for long catamenia of fourth dimension made Oromo to a greater extent than uncomfortable, as it was leading the way to despotism. With this inward consideration a adult man called Gadao Galgalo Yayya crated Gada scheme around 1446.

The Gada scheme is a scheme of generation classes that succeed each other every 8 years inward assuming political, military, judicial, legislative as well as ritual responsibilities. Each 1 of the 8 active generation classes- beyond the 3 grades- has its ain internal leadership (Adula hayyus) as well as its ain assembly (ya’a), but the leaders of the grade acquire the leaders of the field as a whole when their grade comes to powerfulness inward the middle of the life course- a phase of life called “gada” amid the Borana. The grade inward powerfulness is headed yesteryear an officeholder known as Abba Gada or Abba Bokku inward unlike component subdivision of the Oromo nation.

The Borana age-sets known as “hariyya” are recruited on the ground of age, whereas the gada classes known as “luba” are recruited on the ground of genealogical generations.

We tin define the gada grade or luba as a segment of a generation that assumes powerfulness for a catamenia of 8 years, whereas gada is the years when the members of the grade rest inward powerfulness as the rulers. Stated differently, luba is a grouping of people as well as gada is the term of business office of the leader of that group, as well as yesteryear extension it is the era during which that leader as well as his luba were inward power. Each luba is governed yesteryear a grouping of elected officers called hayyu. The members of the luba have got an internal government. The luba inward powerfulness allows all the other luba to relish a substantial story of autonomy as well as refrains from unduly interfering amongst their internal disputes as well as activities. All conflict inside the luba are taken to the council of that luba only inward situations where they are unable to resolve their internal problems are the cases appealed to higher councils. There are 3 unlike bodies to which they tin take their disputes: the Gada assembly (ya’a arbora), the 2 moiety councils (ya’a Oditu, ya’a Karrayyu) as well as the pan- Borana assembly (Gumi).

There is, however, 1 dominion that makes them sharply different. The basic dominion of the gada scheme is that the newly born babe man child ever enters the scheme of grades precisely twoscore years behind the father, regardless of the historic catamenia of the father. Father as well as boy are 5 grades apart at all times.

All Borana belong to a “luba”, but a large component subdivision of the population are born into their respective luba besides like shooting fish in a barrel to take component subdivision inward the world gada observances when their luba is charged amongst this responsibility. People born into the luba after it has completed its obligation inward the gada bicycle are known as ilman jarsaa inward distinctionn to the ilman korma, who are born prior to this dot inward time.

Those individuals who inward this physical care for have got been formally designated to correspond their luba are known as hayyu as well as when they have got completed the gada obligations they are collectively known as the “licho” of Borana. The licho volition gradually build private reputation as wise men, who are intimately familiar amongst the ada-sera Borana, whose words bear weight inward all world assemblies, which may live convened on the ground of the clan or on the ground of proximity. The licho as well as the jalldhaba are mostly known as abba kae (fathers of the coming together place) as well as are collectively supposed to oversee the welfare of the members of their clans. At the fourth dimension when the hayyu are selected to take upwardly the gada obligations, they each appoint a little number of jalldhaba inward consultation amongst the elders of their clan. Depending on the thing at hand, however, the coming together may live called on the ground of territory (kora deedaa) or clan (kora gosaa).

Gada grades

Grade 1: Daballe

-The foremost grade is named daballe. It is a grade ever occupied yesteryear a grade of people sharing a mutual identity yesteryear virtue of the fact that they are all the sons of the gada grade who are inward powerfulness as leaders of Borana social club as a whole.

The dabballe stand upwardly out inward Borana social club because of their striking hairstyle, known as “gudure”, they volition clothes similar missy as well as called also missy (intal). They grow their pilus similar girls upwardly to shoulder.

They consider the boys to live amid the principal mediator betwixt adult man as well as God. The parent is prohibited yesteryear custom from ever punishing them physically.

The woman parent of dabballe is real respected amid Boranas.

The dabballe have got no sisters. All their sisters have got either been abandoned to croak shortly after nascence or they have got been given upwardly for adoption,as prior to 1970’s. Their sisters are raised only after the boys have got entered the gamme grade (2).

Grade 2:Junior gamme (gamme didiko)

-The transition ceremony yesteryear which the sons exceed from the dabballe into gamme grade is performed at the shrine of Nura, nigh the town of Negelli. And shave the dabballes hair, where they volition also give names to their son(s). The naming ceremony of the oldest boy is called Gubbisa, piece the naming ceremony of the other sons called Moggassa. The gamme hairstyle is the caput is shaved inward the middle, as well as the relaxation is allowed to grow long, treated amongst butter as well as curled.

Then calling them as “girl” volition live corrected shortly as “boys” as well as they volition start dressing similar boys.

Borana chieftain

Grade 3: senior gamme (gamme gugurdo)

The shaven (gamme) component subdivision of the pilus is smaller than inward the previous grade.

The oldest boys inward the grade are permitted to go on state of war parties, cattle raids as well as hunting expeditions amongst older gada classes. Cattle raids on Guji as well as somali are to a greater extent than usual.

With the decline inward intertribal wars, some other source of excitement has come upwardly to assume a progressively large role inward the life of Borana adolescents (gamme gugurdo). They telephone telephone it ”fora”. It is the fourth dimension when immature men take the theatre unit of measurement herds into the untamed river valleys.

At the start of grade 3 (gamme gugurdo) the little clusters of age-mates set out to celebrate the ceremonies of “ harriyya cuch”. Many of the “fora” youths render to their bands before the ceremonies start. The whole physical care for is repeated annually over a catamenia of 5 years inward the senior gamme grade 3. This is done nether age-set called harriyya, grouping of people born inward the same eight-year period. Hariyya scheme is unlike from the Gada scheme (grade 3 gamme gugurdo). Here to participate inward harriyya cuch ceremony, 1 has non supposed to live gamme gurgurdo, gada class, what thing is only your age.

During the finally 3 years of grade3, the gamme themselves (i.e. the gada grade rather than the age-set) go through a ceremony that closely resembles the hariyya cuch. Again local groups mobilize as well as go around from campsite to campsite singing, feasting as well as collecting members of their class. The ceremony is called wal’argi (to reckon each other) inward the foremost twelvemonth as well as nachisa (feast) inward the finally 2 years.

The resultant of the hariyya cuch, wal’argi as well as nachisa ceremonies roofing the entire eight-year period, is to brand the members of the senior gamme (and the age-sets associated amongst them) acutely aware of the society-wide significance of their grade as well as peer group.

The Cusoma volition terminate amongst celebrations known as “chinna”, which take identify at a number of prescribed site inward Borana, during which a hayyu for each sit down volition live selected. After chinna the ijolle cuchu volition live known as a hariyya, which is based on age, but which excludes the ilman korma, volition eventually live named after the hayyu selected at the chinna nigh the wells of Borbor, amongst a prefix which either Wakor or Dambal.

The harriyya, which inward resultant are age-sets are non localized, but members of the harriyya inward a locality volition come across every twelvemonth to perform a rite known as korma-korbeesa, which involves the ritual slaughtering of a manful someone goat. The localized hariyya perform the korma-korbeesa during 3 gada periods and, as their ilman korma coevals mitt over the gada responsibilities to the side yesteryear side luba the harriyya performs a unlike rite called the korbeesa yuuboma.

During eight-year period, the local age-set is thereafter named informally after its local leader. In fourth dimension the call of 1 of these leaders wins out, as well as the entire age-set is thus named after him.

Age sets inward 1963 (Asmarom legesse)

Age - sets	Age
Wakor Duba	12-19
Darar Godana	20-27
Dambal Bule	28-35
Wakor liban	36-43
Dambal Arero	44-51
Wakor Sora	52-59
Dambal Taddacha	60-67
Wakor Dida	68-75
Udan Bukko	76-83
Wakor Mallu	84-91

The names Wakor,Dambala, as well as so on are the generic designations of age-sets. The names Duba, Godana and, so on are the proper names of the leaders.

milk jug

Grade 4: Cusa, junior warriors

The gamme-cusa transition rites takes identify at the shrine of Dhaddacha Dhera inward the vicinity of Arero. At this phase inward the ceremony all the boys inward the class, including infants, were required to habiliment shorts. At this identify the manful someone parent volition shave the pilus of his sons. On the fourteenth twenty-four hr catamenia of the ceremony the cusa emerged from their isolation campsite wearing adult ceremonial customs as well as carrying whips (licho) to which they had attached a little scepter (bokku).

The transition rite thus came to an terminate as well as the "cusa" proceeded amongst the Lallaba ceremony, the grand trial inward which the "election results" were announced to the assembled representatives of all Borana clans.

What is expected of 1 Borana leader?

- Good lineage connection.

- Knowledge of tradition (history as well as laws)

- Skill inward Arbitration.

An old Borana story tells almost a fourth dimension when Oamora, a one-time rigid leader, led the tribe. In the course of pedagogy of fourth dimension the Borana people felt themselves weighed downwards nether the burden of a prolonged authoritarian rule. The elders of the tribe met to hash out the thing as well as reached understanding that they mightiness do improve nether a leader whose catamenia of potency was limited to almost 8 years. Thus emerged Gada- an elective rule, limited to a term of 8 years. The business office to which a someone is elected is non intended to feed his pride or to boast his power, but to serve the community responsibly.

- Popularity amongst the people: - Popularity to the Borana, way the adult man is a goodness “all round” person, a truthful Borana, 1 who does the right thing to as well as for the people he represents inside the pattern of their ain lifestyle.

- Given to Hospitality: - The Borana prefer visitors inward the rainy flavour because they as well as so have got milk inward abundance as well as tin entertain to a greater extent than lavishly. But if quests came at other times they would extend themselves to serve the visitors well, fifty-fifty though they mightiness live embarrassed because they were inward brusque supply.

- Patient, inside approved institutions: - Some cases may take several years to live solved, depend on its difficulties, but all these things are to a greater extent than of import than time- a lesson that every Westerner who industrial plant amongst people similar the Borana has to learn. If 1 leader brand a conclusion because of lack of patience he volition lose his office, as well as that volition live bad reputation for his lineage.

- Balance of generosity as well as skilful management: - The substitution of cattle which accompany the Borana matrimony are non so economically burdensome as to create the crises that they do inward some African tribes.

- Military skill: - Leadership inward state of war belongs to the Gada grouping as well as the age-sets have got their elected leaders

During lallaba ceremony, at nowadays 6 boys were elected. These immature men were invited inward the lallaba ceremony as senior councilors (adula). The highest business office is that of the Abba Gada "arbora". He is described as the "adula fite". The 2 seniority positions are held yesteryear the councilors known as Abba Gada "kontoma". These 2 officers ever come upwardly from 2 specific clans from the 2 sub moieties of the Gona moiety (Hawattu as well as Konnitu). The 3 most senior officers of the council are collectively known as gada saden. The remaining 3 councilors are simply adula hayyu. All the six-adula councilors are required to alive as well as nomadize together from at nowadays until the grouping subdivides xvi years later. At that phase the gada establishes 3 separate bands (one called olla Arbora as well as the other two-called olla Kontoma). Each band must go along to operate as an indivisible community for some other 13 years. Through out this catamenia no conclusion tin live made as well as no ritual performed without the participation as well as consent of all the councilors. The adula councilors are assisted yesteryear a grouping of volunteers known as "jalldhaba". The adula council inward consultation amongst the elders of the relevant borana clans does the selection of the jalldhaba.

The cusa, who ordinarily cannot espouse for a multifariousness of reasons, are allowed to maintain mistresses. Their mistresses, tin live only married women, virgins are taboo.

Now at almost 20 to 24 years of historic catamenia many of the cusa have got mistresses.

During cusa catamenia it is appropriate notwithstanding for them to search for wives, which they may espouse when they acquire inward Raba grade.

There is a catamenia of 2 or 3 gada periods betwixt the fourth dimension an private was elected as leader of his luba (gada class) as well as the fourth dimension that he was invested into business office as leader of all the people i.e. of all the Gada classes. In Borana this catamenia of testing was 21 years as well as the leaders tin live removed from business office yesteryear the pan-Borana assembly, if they don’t fit. In these catamenia they are judged for their powerfulness to Pb inward wars, their patience inward times of crisis, their wisdom as well as eloquence, their moral qualities, their skills inward mediating or adjudicating cases of conflict, as well as their cognition of law, custom, as well as historic precedent. In Western democracies at that spot is no mandatory catamenia of testing for political leaders. Men as well as women who are able speakers but have got no political sense whatsoever tin live elected to the highest office.

Borana adult woman amongst headband

Grade 5: Raba, senior warriors

As all persons cannot live warriors a adult man called Yaayya Fulleele instituted raba. The raba is a historic catamenia set grouping moving inward a large camp. The raba grade has mostly the defence forcefulness responsibility. Therefore What ya’a (assembly) decides, the harriyya executes (militarily or others).

Those men who are inward the gada bicycle as well as who are of the appropriate historic catamenia when they attain the raba grade are expected to marry.

The appointment of the matrimony ceremony was set for the calendar month of Watabajji.

Borana say that whatever fellow member of the adula council or whatever 1 of the ritual experts or deputy councilors who is unable to acquire a married adult woman through the normal physical care for of inter-lineage negotiation is allowed to pick a married adult woman as well as so as well as there. The councilor simply declares his choice, as well as neither the missy nor her theatre unit of measurement is allowed to plough him down.

The Gada asembly inward the Raba grade

The major changes nether raba grade the councilor may have got died or may have got been removed from business office (buqqisu). The elders of borana clans as well as the leaders of the 2 moieties (qallu council) jointly retain the potency to take whatever adula councilor who fails to come across his numerous ritual-political responsibilities.

The bokku is the most senior ritual leader as well as takes precedence over the Abba Gada himself inward all ritual activities.

Throughout the foremost 8 years of the Raba grade, the men are without children. Although they are allowed to espouse inward the thirty-second twelvemonth of the grade system, they tin non heighten their children until the fortieth year. Any kid born to the wives of the raba during that catamenia is known as gata as well as must live abandoned to the elements. Unlike all other grades, the raba grade lasts 13 years, non the green 8 years. The main significance of this subdivision of the grade is that the junior (first 8 years) are non allowed to have got whatever children whereas the senior raba (next 5 years) tin have got sons but non daughters. Customs requires that the children of the junior raba as well as the daughters of the senior raba live abandoned to croak or give to Wata family. But this is non whatever more.

Grade 6: Gada, the phase of political as well as ritual leadership

The powerfulness take over (balli) occurs inward the calendar month of gurrandhala inward the forty-fifth twelvemonth of the gada grade system. It is performed at the shrine of Nura inward the eastern corner of Boranaland. The most senior adult man is referred to as Abba Gada "arbora" as well as the other 2 are Abba Gada "kontoma" called collectively Gada Saden. Any Borana who is visited yesteryear the Abba Gada is required to sacrifice livestock for him. Even impoverished families kill little livestock to accolade the leaders.

It is worth remembering that the 2 sub-moieties (Hawattu as well as Konnitu) that constitute their ain gada assemblies are both from the Gona moiety. The sabbo moiety has no special assembly. For 2 of the abba gada Kontoma at that spot is an additional junior council consisting of a number of “hayyu medhicha” councilors, who represents all Borana clans as well as “hayyu garba” representing the clan as the abba gada Kontoma himself.

The separation of the sub-moiety leaders (kontoma) occurs when each kontoma asks the Abba Gada arbora to give him the right of assembly. The Abba Gada grants this right. The Abba Gada konnitu as well as so goes to a identify called Dambi Dolo nigh the town of Megga as well as the Abba Gada Hawattu goes to Suruppa, nigh Yaaballo. It is only when the gada assembly goes to Liiban for the Oda (gumi Gayyo) ceremony inward the quaternary twelvemonth that the 3 assemblies come upwardly together. In short, gada leadership is a multifariousness of parliamentary regime as opposed to bureaucratic government.

The assembly as a whole is charged amongst the responsibleness of resolving major crisis betwixt descent groups, clans or camps.

The grade is required to perform 4 major ceremonies inward the quaternary as well as 5th years of the period. These ceremonies are named Ginda, Gumi Gayyo, Oda as well as Muda.

The gumi Gayyo ceremony occurs inward the quaternary twelvemonth of the gada period, but it is a ceremony that concerns all Borana, non simply the grade inward power. The "raba" as well as all the four-yuba classes are expected to attend. It is of import to stress, however, that gumi Gayyo is a pan-Borana event. At el Gayyo.

At the fourth dimension of the full general transition rites (dabbale-gamme, gamme-cusa, cusa-raba), inward the 3rd twelvemonth of whatever gada period, nosotros uncovering Borana undergoing a basic structural mutation as each grade changes grades. At that fourth dimension the gada are involved indirectly because their sons, the dabballe are having their naming ceremony.

The circumcision as well as ear piercing is performed inward the shrine of Ejersa Gurura, nigh Nura. H5N1 moo-cow volition live sacrifice. The gada volition pick upwardly the thorns of the "dhagamsa" trees as well as used them to pierce their ears. The men also pierce the ears of their wives as well as of their assistants. Before the circumcision, the womenfolk left the campsite as well as the men took baths inward their huts. The functioning was performed yesteryear anyone who had the skill. The only men who had to live circumcised yesteryear experts were the 3 Abba Gada. The Waata were charged amongst this responsibleness "because no Borana is allowed to tumble the blood of an Abba Gada”. In the 5th twelvemonth of the gada catamenia the grade goes 1 time once to a greater extent than to the eastern district (Liiban) to perform the muda ceremony.

Muda means, “to anoint”, as well as anointment symbolizes gift giving. The ceremony is the occasion when the gada grade inward powerfulness makes an offering to the ritual leaders of the moieties, the qallu of the Oditu as well as the Karrayyu. In the finally component subdivision of the ceremony the qallu puts on a king of beasts peel mask as well as releases the snakes he has brought along for the occasion.

Customary police prohibits the Gada leaders from traveling beyond a defined perimeter inside Dirre as well as Liban. The specific police that constrains the displace of Gada councilors is known as Sera Dawwe or Sera Goro.

The Abba Gada himself is dependent to the same penalty as all other Borana if he violates laws; same punishments. That is the evidence that shows us that the police is higher upwardly everybody, including the Abba Gada.

In the real highest office, that of the Abba Gada, it is to a greater extent than probable that the Gumi volition usage its powerfulness of cursing to punish the adult man who violates his business office as well as the curse. They say ordinarily results inward his death. Abba Gada hinijjesan male, hinbuqqisan, yo inni seer balleesse. “The Abba Gada is killed rather than existence uprooted, if he broke the laws”.

H5N1 grouping of qualified elected officers’ hold back on the sideline ever ready to take over responsibleness from he deceased, disabled, or uprooted officers. Occasionally, a unopen kinsman through the manful someone line of the missing leader may take the office.

Portrait of a adult woman tribe Borana inward el sod the House Of Salt, volcanic lake, where they dig the dark salt, Yabelo, part of Borana tribe, due south Omo Valley, Ethiopia. Photographer: Anthony Pappone

Garba councilors are elected yesteryear 1 luba, to serve amongst the next. One of the junior councils of the Gada institution, known as the Garba council (hayyu garba) is elected yesteryear the outgoing regime as well as serves amongst the incoming government. This contributes to continuity from 1 Gada assembly (ya’a) to the side yesteryear side as well as this may assist to destination the unfinished job.

Ceremony	year	place	month
Takeover (balli)	1	Nura	Gurrandhala
Rite of incorporation; Ear peircing as well as Circumcision(to brand lube)	2	Ejersa Gurura
All transitions	3		Wazabajii
Ginda	4	Galma Sagan river	Waxabajii
Gumi Gayyo	4	Gayyo good (ela)	Obora gudda
Oda	5	Oda, nigh Naghelle	Obora gudda
Muda	5	Oda	Obora gudda
Return to Dirre	6
Reddimessa	7	Liban
Proclamation of junior council Handover (balli)	8	Bufa Nura	Gurrandhala

(By Asmarom legesse 1973)

Grade, 7,8,9, & 10: Yuba, the phase of partial retirement

Yuba phase covers twenty-seven years from 53-80. Yuba1 (3yrs), Yuba2 (8yrs), Yuba3 (8yrs), Yuba4 (8yrs)

Youba are retired as well as they retain advisory authority.

The most of import residue responsibleness of the retired gada grade (Yuba) is to oversee the political as well as armed forces activities of the luba inward power. The retired Abba Gada who oversee the national convention are called Abbotin Gada “the Gada fathers” inward contrast to the “Abba Gada Qomiccha” who is inward powerfulness as well as whose performance is nether review.

Grade 11: Gada Mojji, the terminal sacred grade.

It was deemed essential that people should retire also. This is called gadammojji. Oolee Bonayya was a adult man who came upwardly amongst the idea.

In Borana the real immature as well as real old holds ritual power, whereas the middle generation holds political power.

Henceforth, the gada mojji cannot bear arms, they cannot kill whatever living creatures, as well as they are required to usage a ritual argot. People seek their approbation as well as wherever they go they are given nutrient as well as shelter. Men as well as women come upwardly to them to refuge from misfortune enemies, or angry kinsmen.

For the do goodness of Christians the gada mojji pull themselves as "monks" as well as the analogy is non farfetched. The transition rite is known as the rite of incense substitution (qumbi walirrafudhu). The men who are leaving the "gada mojji" grade are the fathers of the gada, the grade inward power.

At this stage, the members of the gada grade relish dandy honor as ritual leaders of their social club but they are deprived of nearly all-secular political as well as economical power. In the before decades of this century they did non only mitt over all political authority, as well as the symbol of active luba membership called the “Kallaccha “, they also handed over all their earthly possessions to their sons at the dot when the sons were entering the catamenia of fatherhood as well as the finally phase of senior warriorhood. On that occasion, the luba comes together for 1 finally ritual called qumbi wal-irra-fudhani or “ the handing over of incense”. The peer grouping gathers inward as well as around the ceremonial pavilions called “galma” constructed for each 1 of the retiring elders. Inside the pavilions, surrounded yesteryear their historic catamenia mates, the old men recite all their accomplishments to their sons, inward a tense ceremony inward which they are judged harshly for failing to distinguish themselves as warriors as well as hunters.

These men, who were almost to go into finally retirement, surpassingly celebrated the trial yesteryear marring off 1 of their members. The adult man who married on this occasion was carefully selected yesteryear the gada mojji as well as yesteryear their sons, the gada.

It turned out that the adult man whom they had selected to espouse the "gessitti" was yesteryear far the most accomplished warrior.

For those who had nada to recite, the ritual was a deeply humiliating experience.

They volition recite (dhadu) almost what they have got killed.

The outgoing grade shaved their elaborately decorated pilus as well as went into finally retirement piece the incoming grade tied the “kallacha” headgear on their foreheads as well as entered the sacred state.

The weakness of Gada system

The fundamental dominion inward Gada grade is that manful someone parent as well as sons must ever live 40 years or 5 grades apart, regardless of the historic catamenia of the manful someone parent or of his sons.

For example: permit say the manful someone parent had had his foremost boy at historic catamenia 40 as well as so automatically the boy volition live inward dabballe grade. And permit say 1 time to a greater extent than the manful someone parent had had his minute boy at historic catamenia 56 as well as so this man child volition acquire inward gamme grade 3 on the 16th twelvemonth of the bicycle as well as joins his blood brother inward the same grade. Let say 1 time to a greater extent than the manful someone parent had had his finally boy at historic catamenia 72, that way the babe volition acquire inward raba grade as well as he tin espouse at whatever time.

Borana woman

We at nowadays follow the babe who was born into the 32nd twelvemonth of the cycle. This babe volition live 56 years old when he completes the gada cycle. If he has a boy at that time, the boy volition acquire a fellow member of the grade inward powerfulness (gada, 6) at birth. The other members of his grade volition care for him as an equal. If is worth remembering that if a adult man has a boy when he is inward the 20th class, the boy enters the 15th grade at birth. Such a man, his sons as well as all his descendants are perpetually retired they are Ilman jarsa.

Only males are involved inward the Gada system. Females have got peripheral membership inward the gada grade of their husbands. H5N1 adult man is credited amongst whatever children born to his wives. H5N1 married adult woman may have got sexual relations amongst whatever fellow member of her husband's class.

Gumi Gayyo

Gayyo is a locality as good as 1 of the nine “tulaas” (deep, permanent H2O wells). It is almost 33 km on the way to Negelle Borana after the common salt crater.

According to the elders as well as the informants, prior to the formation of the gada customary police (aada) conflicts used to live set right yesteryear mutual understandings, approbation as well as forgiveness. But, as population as well as crimes increased, many cases became hard to acquire finally resolution yesteryear approbation alone. Many people became reluctant to forgive everything and, therefore, demand for equal compensation for equal loses became imperative. Serious crimes as well as offences of all sorts expanded. Offenders became disobedient to elders as well as refused to seem when summoned to human face charges.

H5N1 adult man called Gadao Galgalo Yaayya was appointed to live the foremost abba gada as well as ruled the Oromo field for 8 years. But he was non able to give commands, as no 1 was responsible to whatever 1 else. There were rewards for goodness achievements but no concrete seera (law) for referral to right or punish incorrect doers (Borbor Bulee, ref. Gollo Huqqa, 1996). H5N1 adult man called Daawwe Gobboo systematically formulated the seera for all the Oromos. Later, after the dispersion of the Oromos inward many directions he was the 1 who decided to take hold 1 pan- Borana assembly 1 time inward every presidential period. This he fixed to live on quaternary twelvemonth of the eight-year period. The Oromos inward the neighborhood –Arsi as well as Gujii – have got been sending their delegates to the Gumi Gayyo Assembly. He set downwards seera for everything at the identify called Doloollo Makkala, almost 3 kilometers due south of Megga. The seera of marriage, livestock, H2O wells, pasture, wildlife, trees, bees as well as fifty-fifty ants. He set diverse disciplines when asset meetings. For instance, a coming together attendant should only speak when allowed. All coming together should start amongst prayer as well as approbation (Borbor Bulee, ref. Gollo Huqqa, 1996)

Before the formal proceedings of the Assembly commence the next are blessed the tree shadow (Assembly itself), the livestock, women as well as children, before starting the agenda. Rainfall, pasture, peace as well as stability should live prayed for before start the discussion.

During the give-and-take no 1 is allowed to stand upwardly as well as talk, arts and crafts wood or scratch the ground. But, everyone should sit down inward a manner, which does non pull the attending of participants away. Each of the seera violation corresponds amongst a surely disciplinary activeness commensurate amongst that violation.

The pan-Borana coming together at the good of Gayo is an trial that brings together almost every of import leader. Gumi Gayyo is yesteryear far the most inclusive trial inward Borana political life. They think of it as the assembly amongst the highest story of political authority. It is interesting to larn that this body, which holds the ultimate authority, is neither the gada assembly nor the Qallu councils. It is rather the assembled representatives of the entire social club inward conjunction amongst whatever private who has the maiden to come upwardly to the ceremonial grounds. In their idiom it is gumi (the multitude) which sits inward judgement. In theory whatever private has a right to attend, to take total component subdivision inward the delibrations, as well as to convey whatever thing to the attending of the gumi.

In component subdivision the coming together was dedicated to introducing novel rules believed to live binding on all Borana.

It is of import to stress, notwithstanding that their deliberation line of piece of work concern police regulation of resources rather than the construction of society.

It is only at Gumi Gayo coming together that the laws tin live changed or novel things added to it.

The most of import coming together involving the largest number of people from the clans is known as the kora debanu (meeting almost wealth). Only the most serious as well as intricate cases affecting the clan members attain this meeting, which also is the ultimate arbiter inside the clans inward matters of compensations as well as world collection of animals to assist or restock unfortunate members of the clan. Only cases of extraordinary complexity as well as importance volition live passed on to the ultimate high courtroom of Borana social club the gumi Gayyo.

“To reckon the Abba Gada Pb the gathering of Borana every forenoon before daybreak to a identify where they sit down downwards amongst everyone facing the eastward as the Sun rises as well as together pray to Waqa for assist to do what is right, is real moving at Gumi Gayo assembly”, Gunnar Kjaerland.

On a higher level, when the Borana know that at that spot are things of importance for the social club at stake, they are real careful to reckon that both the Sabbo as well as the Gonaa groups are every bit represented, if non the instance volition non live handled.

Women participate inward political activities indirectly through their vocal called Karile.

The national assembly, Gumi is made upwardly of all the assemblies as well as councils of the Oromo, who come across inward the middle of the gada period, 1 time every 8 years, to review the laws, to brand novel laws, to evaluate the men inward power, as well as to resolve major conflicts that could non live resolved at lower levels of their judicial organization. All the sectoral assemblies of the clans, moieties as well as age-sets are allowed to attend the full general assembly as well as convey their proposals to the pre-Gumi meetings. However, only the Gada assemblies are at that spot as active participants as well as take component subdivision inward the legislative debates. One prospective gada, 1 active as well as 3 retired gada are present. All these have got of import roles to play inward the proceedings. Key positions are reserved for the Abba Gada inward powerfulness as well as for all the living semi-retired Abba Gadas i.e. those inward the Yuba grades. The Abba Gada inward powerfulness serves as the presiding councilor nether normal circumstances as well as holds the powerfulness of “cutting” the debates as well as formulating the emergent propositions. When the Abba Gada inward powerfulness as well as his council are nether review, however, 1 of the retired Abba Gadas takes over as the presiding Gada councilor. Seniority as well as competence select him.

Women’s mostly do non participate inward political activities along side amongst the men, but instead they participate inward political activities indirectly through their vocal called karile. Here inward their vocal they usage to criticize the wretched decisions made yesteryear men. By doing this they tin forcefulness them to alter their less honorable decisions.

The people bear their spears when they go to the Gumi as well as Lallaba. They do non bear weapons when they go to the rituals such as the Muda, or the anointment of the Qallu, or Dannisa, the fatherhood “ceremony” of the warriors- they bear ritual objects instead. They say Gumi is a identify of state of war non ritual.

Hariyya (military force)

The biggest encountered state of war betwixt Guji as well as Borana inward recent history was inward 1946. It is known as the Oditu state of war because settlements of the Oditu clan as well as their Qallu suffered the heaviest losses. The Abba Gada inward power, Guyyo Boru, was at the fourth dimension besides far away to live personally involved inward the campaign.

The most successful state of war waged yesteryear the Borana inward recent times is known as the state of war of Madha Galma, because he himself brought the warriors together as well as personally led the displace inward 1952.

The conclusion to engage inward state of war was made yesteryear gada assemblies (Ya'a arbora)

The top armed forces leadership (Abba Duula) came from the gada classes.

The actual fighting force, however, was drawn from historic catamenia sets (Harriyya).

The most relevant historic catamenia set is the grouping that is described as the barbara of the gada leaders. It consists of the oldest historic catamenia grouping inward gada classes who are empowered to mobilize all the members of their historic catamenia set. The core group-made upwardly of people who belong to the same gada grade as well as the same historic catamenia set- is the grouping that is known as "barbara". It is the grouping that helps the gada leaders to mobilize the entire historic catamenia set, non simply the component subdivision of the historic catamenia set that belongs to their gada class. Thus when the Borana speak of "barbara Gobba Bule", it way the groups that belong to the same gada grade as well as the same historic catamenia set as the Abba Gada Gobba Bule.

Normally age-set leaders (hayyu hariyya) are engaged inward organizing as well as overseeing social activities of the members but they may live called upon to mobilize the age-set inward instance of war. Once mobilized, the age-set (harriyya) or the component subdivision of it that was mobilized becomes an age-regiment (ch'ibra). Each age-regiment is as well as so headed yesteryear a temporary leader who is referred to as the abba ch'ibra (regimental leader) or abba arch'umme (baton chief). The old leads the regiment inward responsibilities inward maintaining dependent area inward the fighting unit, inward prodding laggards or punishing cowards. All regimental leaders as well as baton chiefs are nether the direct control of the abba duula or primary of war.

It is ofttimes the instance that the age-set leaders are only heads of 1 or 2 private regiments as well as that the armed forces organisation as a whole is headed yesteryear an Abba Duula or "war chief" ofttimes drawn from the senior warrior grade (raba) or the ruling grade (Gada ).

The regular army of Emperor Menelik against which the Arsi fought for so long is, inward all probability, the largest armed forces forcefulness ever assembled yesteryear an indigenous African province during the colonial era, albeit amongst substantial assistance from the European colonial powers who armed it to advance their ain economical as well as political interests.

The age-set scheme (hariyya) is a supportive organisation nether the potency of the Gada assemblies: it is organized strictly on the ground of historic catamenia as well as has nada to do amongst genealogical generations. Age-sets as well as gada classes are crosscutting social categories: 1 is non a sub-set of the other. Age-sets have got their ain councilors (hayyu hariyya) who Pb the grouping inward fourth dimension of peace as well as their ain elected regimental leaders (abba ch’ibra or abba arch’umme) who Pb them inward war.

“Age-set” (hariyya) is the generic term nosotros usage to refer to the historic catamenia organisation as a whole. Its total domain includes ritual as well as social activities inward add-on to their critical armed forces function. The phrase “age-regiment” (ch’ibra) refers to the age-set specifically re-organized for warfare, is subordinated to Gada.

Makabasa (nicknames) are some other way of remembering histories or Gada chronologies similar gogessa. Makabasa refers to the bicycle of vii nicknames: - Fullasa, Mardida, Darara, Libasa, Sabbaqa, Moggaasa as well as Makula.

The Makabasa exceed from manful someone parent to son. Mardida is born to Liibasa, Libasa is born to Moggaasa, Moggassa is born to Fullasa, Fullasa is born to Darara, Darara is born to Sabbaqa, Sabbaqa is born to Makula, Makula is born to Mardida.

Other way of using Makabasa, to draw downwards Gada chronology is that to retrieve ever the chronology of Makabasa itself. This way if nosotros start for instance amongst Fullasa as well as so comes Mardiida as well as follows Darara, Libasa,Sabbaqa, Moggassa as well as Makula. The recent abba Gada Liiban Jaldessa Liiban's makabasa (nickname) is Moggisa, which way the side yesteryear side Abba Gada volition live automatically Makula as well as so Fullasa, Mardiida, Darara, Libasa as well as Sabbaqa. Then volition comes 1 time to a greater extent than Moggisa after 56 years, as well as so on.

Conclusion

In its classic cast the Oromo polity was organized as 4 principal institutions. These are the generational organisation (Gada), the dual organisation (Qallu), the armed forces organisation (Hariyya) as well as the national assembly (Gumi). Of the 4 institutions, the most of import is the national assembly known as Gumi.

The major divergence betwixt Gada as well as Qallu is that: Gada is elected trunk as well as has potency over all Borana for a limited catamenia of time, piece the Qallu is hereditary, has potency over one-half of Borana, but they rest inward business office for life.

The construction of these 4 Oromo polity is; Gada as well as Qallu are co-ordinate institutions as well as are both subordinated to the potency of Gumi, the national assembly. The age-set scheme is subordinated to the Gada scheme as well as performs it’s most of import armed forces functions nether the potency of detail Gada leaders who have got been elected to Pb the age-regiments inward detail armed forces activities specially inward national campaigns.

The people tin appeal a instance of conflict to the Qallu council or the Gada council. The Qallu have got adjudicative as well as mediating responsibilities over the moieties, clans as well as lineages. Each, inward his ain sphere, has the potency to resolve conflict. The Abba Gada also have got similar responsibleness to mediate or adjudicate conflict betwixt members of their ain luba or betwixt unlike luba but non inside some other luba.

But what makes divergence is that, the to a greater extent than unjust or incompetent the leaders are, the less probable that the cases of conflict volition come upwardly before them. This way the powerfulness tin shift to 1 side.

Time reckoning (Calendar)

Time as well as historical causality

Gada, is incredibly complex concept, is non simply the foundation of the Borana socio-political scheme as well as the ground of the temporal stratification of the society, it is also a concept that incorporates all history as well as the total cognitive framework inside which historical processes unfold.

Anthropology has tended to underestimate the intellectual accomplishments of non- literate societies. This is partly component subdivision of the linear model of the universe that is pervasive inward Western thought. Technological primitive societies must also live primitive inward all other respects, it is thought. Borana fourth dimension reckoning is unique inward eastern Africa as well as has been recorded inward real few cultures inward the history of mankind. The best known examples of this type of fourth dimension reckoning are the Chinese, Mayan, as well as Hindu calendars; it is real doubtful that the Borana scheme derives from whatever of these cultures.

Borana calendar is permutation calendar based on lunar rather than solar cycles. The lunar calendar month is almost 29.5 days long. The Borana "year" consists of twelve such months or 354 days- 11 days shorter than the solar year. In many near-eastern societies the solar twelvemonth is made to equal the lunar twelvemonth yesteryear adding an intercalary calendar month to the later. The Borana are unusual inward that they seem to live the only people amongst a reasonably accurate calendar who ignore the sun. The 1984 Science Newsmagazine established this issue. East African megalith called Namoratunga, though non as spectacular as Stonehenge, seems to have got had a calendric (300 B.C.) purpose for the ancient Cushites of the upper Nile. The Borana-Cushitic calendar is lunar, but is unique inward that it completely ignores the seat of the sun. Namoratunga is the foremost archaeo-astronomical site to live studied inward sub-Saharan Africa.

The twelve lunar months have got the next names: Cikawa, Sadasa, Abrasa, Ammaji, Gurandhala, Bittottessa, Chamsa, Bufa, Waxxabajji, Obora guda, Obora dikka as well as Birra.

There are no weeks; instead each twenty-four hr catamenia of the calendar month has a name. However, they have got only 27 names of days as well as not, as would live expected, 29 or 30.These are: - Areeri Duraa, Areeri Ballo, Aduula Duraa, Aduula Ballo, Garba Duraa, Garba Balla, Garba Dulacha, Bitaa Duraa, Bitaa Ballo, Sorsa, Algaajima, Arba, Walle, Basaa Duraa, Basaa Ballo, Maganatti Carraa, Maganatti Jaarraa, Maganatti Briifi, Salbaan Duraa, Salbaan Ballaa, Salbaan Dullachaa, Gardaaduma, Soonse, Uurruma, Lumaasa, Gidaada, Ruuda.

H5N1 Borana time-reckoning skillful (ayyantu) tin tell the day, the month, the twelvemonth as well as the gada catamenia from memory. Should his retentivity neglect him he examines the relative, seat of the stars as well as the Moon to determine the twenty-four hr catamenia as well as the calendar month astronomically. The vii stars or constellations he uses are: -

- Lami (triangulum)

- Busan (pleiades)

- Bakkalcha (Aldebaran)

- Algajima (Belatrix)

- Arb Gaddu (central Orion)

- Urji Walla (Saiph)

- Basa (Sirius)

In 6 out of the twelve lunar months the 6 constellations seem successively, inward conjunction amongst the moon. During the remaining 6 months none of these 6 stars as well as constellations is visible at the rising of the moon.

The novel Moon appears amongst Sirius (Basa) 1 time a year. The calendar month begins amongst whatever 1 of the 3 days named Salbana. The trial takes identify inward the calendar month of Obora Dikka.

Threat to Borana

The state of war that Africans must wage inward the post-colonial era is a state of war against ethnocentrism as practiced yesteryear Africans whose intellectual horizons do non attain beyond their ain ethnic backyards as well as yesteryear Europeans who believe that their civilization is the terminal phase of human development.

This institution- the Gada scheme is keyed to a remarkably sophisticated scheme of fourth dimension reckoning. The scheme is based on accurate astronomic observations associated amongst a consummate day-month nomenclature. The total scheme is a permutation calendar the similar of which has been recorded only 3 times inward the history of mankind. It occurs amid the Chinese, the Hindu, as well as the Mayans 3 civilizations far removed from Borana. Borana historians usage the regulation of permutation to banking concern check their records along several crosscutting parameters. The scheme is an intellectual feat, similar of which has likely non been recorded anywhere.

Borana tin generate the entire calendar, the historical chronology, as well as the gada bicycle without ever having to count, that shows how intellectual they are.

In its nowadays form, social scientific discipline is a major threat to the African identity.

The technologically inferior social club ofttimes has sociologically to a greater extent than feasible institutions.

There are 2 philosophical attitudes that vitalize the study of culture. One is ethnocentric, supremacist, as well as antiquarian inward character, as well as the other is dedicated to the evolution of scientific tools that tin assist us minimize all forms of ethnocentric bias inward social scientific discipline research. One threatens to destroy the African cultural identity; the other promises to uncover the lost valuable elements of our heritage.

The Abba Gada Jaldessa Liban (1960-68) as well as his councilors were 1 time summoned yesteryear the district governor as well as detained inward the district majuscule (Yaballo) for a month. The district had ordered the Abba Gada to mend his pagan ways as well as to take Christianity as his faith. The Abba Gada said that he was the manful someone parent of all Borana as well as ritual leader of his class. Therefore, he was non gratis to take Christianity as well as he was released. This instance shows us 1 time intolerance for others culture, fifty-fifty using forcefulness as a way of activeness to abandon others civilisation as well as tradition to supervene upon their ain desire, as it has already happened inward most of the African societies.

Borana girl, Zuru, Kenya

Up to the middle of the 20th century the Wallaga Oromo has been organized inward a strict scheme of age-sets as well as grades called the Gada system. The scheme formed a well-functioning social organisation as well as a political structure, which has influenced the Oromo upwardly to the present. The organized Gada scheme collapsed inward the Henna surface area during the 1940’s due to rigid influence from Evangelical Christians (see Gunnar Kjaerland 1977).

A.L Kroeber, the anthropologist, discussed the demand for an acceptable climate for the credence of novel ideas. There is no doubtfulness almost the truth before us, he said- when the Borana, faced amongst starvation, saw the practical Christian demonstration of pity as well as so the champaign ripened speedily unto harvest (see Gunnar Kjaerland 1977). This text reminds me of what Desmond Tutu 1 time said, “when they came nosotros had a civilisation as well as they had a food, when nosotros opened our optic they had a civilisation as well as nosotros had a food”(translated inward my way). I do non think of whatever society, which would select nutrient inward render of culture? Whatever the unusual motive for the aid, as well as notwithstanding social club may live uplifted because of it, it is jump to exert pressure level of some variety or other on the recipient people resources towards cultural alter if it is non done amongst understanding as well as respect. Beside these pressures due to Aid programs on Borana social club at that spot is also border pressures.

The alienation of grazing solid ground the extension of the route system, as well as the emergence of towns are all component subdivision of a socioeconomic scheme that stands inward direct opposition to the nomadic life vogue as well as value system. The only hope for the survival of the Borana way of traditional life is that the regime does nothing- as well as this does non seem likely.

The province of affairs at nowadays is that the people may sweat to interruption out of their tribal structures, no longer living as Borana, but as Ethiopians. This is tranquillity manifest inward the instance of solid ground acquisition. The regime volition sell, give or rent Borana solid ground to non-Boranas. The alter is the “death-knell” for nomadic herding as well as grazing as well as an invitation to farming. Thus the Borana are inward the same seat as so many minorities the broad world over-have they whatever right to live what they actually want to be?

In a longer perspective, the total survival of Borana social club as well as civilisation depends on the survival as well as rebirth of herds.

Ella (well) is 1 of the core elements, which keeps Borana together. Without that the social club may interruption away, that is why they do non appreciate H2O generated yesteryear technology.

What made a social club to stand upwardly as a homogenous is their binding forcefulness of social order. Most of Western anthropologists have got studied this forcefulness inward monastic tell to live able to destroy a socio-cultural forcefulness inward render to supervene upon their own. By doing this they have got been successful to colonize African social club upwardly to nowadays day, yesteryear snatching their identity. This is as a thing of fact, may occur to Borana social club too. Through state of war 1 may lose number, which tin live replaced. But the nightmare is losing culture, which tin non live replaced. Today most of our names across Africa are David or Mohammed, our color is, thank yous for multinational companies, which tin create fifty-fifty peel bleaching creams to acquire rid of “unpleasant” human color, is light. With out dominion as well as law, which is component subdivision of civilisation a social club volition autumn apart. This inward render volition Pb to suicide, homicide, as well as genocide, which most of the world societies are still suffering from.

The 37th Gumi Gayyo Assembly (GGA) has passed on resolution inward monastic tell to protect these mistakes.

Traditionally Borana families adopt specific names for diverse reasons. The names are the living retentivity of fathers as well as grandfathers. Names similar Galmaa, Guyyoo, Gaayo, Boru, Jaldeessa (men’s name) as well as Waare, Elemaa, Yuubo (women’s names) have got specific reasons as well as meaning. These are the names the Borana want to retain along amongst the aada wherever they live.

The Borana converted to Christianity or Islam found changing their names to that of the respective religious community may lose their buusa gonofaa (social security). Buusaa gonofaa (social security): - Those people who have got lost all of their livestock yesteryear some sort of misfortune, should acquire dorsum from their respective clans as many as they had before. Those who have got lost as the resultant of mismanagement or negligence may acquire dorsum only a few so that they should non totally “lost their guutuu” (a strand of pilus at the top of the head, as a symbol of identity, of “being” Borana).

Names reverberate the identity, as well as are a mirror, of whatever given field or people. We are quite confident that God loves the Boran as well as their names as good as he loves others. It should live realised that our names are non inferior to whatever other names. From the yesteryear sense nosotros know that the Boran who changed their names to that of somali or Garrii were claimed to Garrii for good. Therefore, no Borana converted to Christianity or Islam should alter their names as well as that of their children to Christian or Moslem sounding names. It is appropriate to say something inward back upwardly of the higher upwardly statements yesteryear the GGA. Any truthful organized faith is non destined to destroy the civilisation as well as identity of peoples. In the yesteryear Christian missionaries, as well as fifty-fifty the church, have got been trying to evangelize the diverse ethnic communities without a good -thought out approach -without due consideration –about the civilisation as well as identity of the people. As expected, the resultant was a depression response, specially inward the lowland areas. We must empathize that the goal of the Christian gospel is non proselytizing but transformation. When it (the gospel) comes to a specific ethnic grouping inward the garb of specific linguistic communication as well as culture, it is non necessary that the outward cast exceed on to other ethnic communities but what is essential is the substance, the message. Thus the Christian gospel, its genuine nature, does non destroy the identity as well as cultures of peoples. Because it is translatable, i.e. its essential tenets tin live ingrained inward the cultures of peoples without carrying over the outward forms. It, therefore, transforms as well as redeems them, as God intends them to be. (Gollo Huqqaa)

Conclusion

The Euro-American scholar who says at that spot is no such thing as an indigenous Oromo "democracy" or "government" should inquire himself whether he is concerned almost the applicability of the words "government" as well as "democracy" to Oromo institutions on serious clearly articulated, comparative scientific grounds or because he likes to think that republic is a unique Western excogitation that should non live lumped together amongst the institutions of other "inferior societies". The scholar who draws parallels betwixt Western democracies as well as African institutions must also inquire himself "Am I trying to boost nationalist egos yesteryear telling people that their cultural achievements are dandy or is there, inward fact, an adequate ground for making the comparison?

The dandy French savant, Antoine d'Abbadie, who was seeped inward Oromo civilisation living amid them for a decade, he came to the conclusion that the options confronting humankind were non monarchy versus anarchy, but republic versus despotism, a fundamentally unlike polarity that makes republic as well as the role of liberty inward human life the primal non the peripheral issue.

How deep the sense of monastic tell is amid the Borana tin live gleaned from the fact that homicide-within their society-is virtually unknown. What democratic social club inward the Western world tin boast of such an achievement?

The Oromo are 1 of the most orderly as well as legalistic societies inward Black Africa as well as many of their laws are consciously crafted rules non customarily evolved habits.

Current Abba Gadaa as well as his councils

	Current Borana Gadaa Councilors.
Names	Clan (gossa)	Tittle	Types of councils
Guyo Goba Bule	Digalu	Adulla Fite ( caput of councils)	Arbor
Roba Jarso	Konitu	Adulla	Kontom
Murqu Doyo	Awatu	Adulla	Kontom
Boru Jarso	Karrayu	Adulla	Arbor
Jaldes Doyo	Qarchabdu	Adulla	Arbor
Quri Liban	Matari	Adulla	Arbor

Customs: The economic scheme as well as life vogue are built solely around cattle as well as camels. Young men do the daily herding piece the women do all theatre unit of measurement nurturing. The homestead groups may live required to displace 3 or 4 times each year, ofttimes as far as 100 km, because of the depression rainfall as well as wretched land.