Gadaa

Common card · No. 458512

Gadaa (pronounced "Gada" meaning "The Gateway" in Oromoo language) is the indigenous system of governance used by the Oromos in Ethiopia and northern Kenya. It is also practiced by the Konso, Burji and Gedeo people of southern Ethiopia. The system regulates political, economic, social and religious activities of the community. Under Gadaa, every eight years, the Oromo would choose by consensus nine leaders known as Salgan ya’ii Borana (the nine Borana assemblies). A leader elected by the gadaa system remains in power only for 8 years, with an election taking place at the end of those 8 years. Whenever an Abbaa Gadaa dies while exercising his functions, the bokkuu (the symbol of power) passes to his wife and she keeps the bokkuu and proclaims the laws. The Gada system has been inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2016. It is the brainchild of Oromo from the Meda Welabu district of Oromia. Oromo people regarded the system as their common heritage and as a major...

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