A summary of the social structures of the Gadaa System, UNESCO recognized world Heritage
Posted: 24 Jan 2021, 16:01
A short summary of the gadaa stages, as presented in the following video from today (for those of you who don't understand Afan Oromo).
Dabballee => the first stage after birth. Its role is mainly limited to keeping and protecting the house and its nearest environs, including looking after the cattle and other household herds. The tools they hold is a mere stick for tending to the cattle and no more than that.
Qarree => is the second stage, where the young generation starts to learn about history and culture of the people. Starting to prepare itself to overtake more social responsibilities. Main symbols/identification is shaving its heads in the middle on the side (qarre addachuu).
Kuusaa => is the third stage, where generation takes more key roles in the society, like defending the people and their land, if there is a clash, then it is its responsibility to fend off a danger and repel the enemy, its main symbol is that it carries a spear, which is a means of defense.
Raaba (Doorii) => is the fourth stage where the generation is preparing itself to overtake administrative role in the society. It has to learn the interpretation and execution of the law of the land, it is the one which will going to enter the Gadaa stage (gadoomuu), where it can elect and be elected to the office, the Gadaa Assembly, which is responsible for executive power to administer the affairs of the people. Its main symbol is the Bokku, which is a symbol of Authority.
Baatuu = > the 6th stage and it will not retire from public duty, rather will going to overtake an advisory role and overlook the performance of those still in power, in the Gadaa stage.
Yuuba (1ffaa) => is the 7th and higher stage, where it overtakes the role of the Elders of the society. Its main role is the arbitration and settlements of disputes in the society. It looks after keeping a peaceful settlement of the social disputes and contribute towards keeping peace in the society.
Yuuba 2ffaa is the next stage, which comes after the first Yuuba reached its 8th year in the role.
Jaarsa => is the last stage, which is a stage of retirement with a main role of giving its blessings (senior citizens of the people).
This practice is showcased in the next video, which is still performed in southern part of the country, in Guji and Borana sections of the Oromo people.The place is Bule Horaa, which was formerly known as Hager-Selam, I think.
This is part of the Oromummaa many are hell-bent to get it obliterated from the face of the earth, for whatever reason.
Dabballee => the first stage after birth. Its role is mainly limited to keeping and protecting the house and its nearest environs, including looking after the cattle and other household herds. The tools they hold is a mere stick for tending to the cattle and no more than that.
Qarree => is the second stage, where the young generation starts to learn about history and culture of the people. Starting to prepare itself to overtake more social responsibilities. Main symbols/identification is shaving its heads in the middle on the side (qarre addachuu).
Kuusaa => is the third stage, where generation takes more key roles in the society, like defending the people and their land, if there is a clash, then it is its responsibility to fend off a danger and repel the enemy, its main symbol is that it carries a spear, which is a means of defense.
Raaba (Doorii) => is the fourth stage where the generation is preparing itself to overtake administrative role in the society. It has to learn the interpretation and execution of the law of the land, it is the one which will going to enter the Gadaa stage (gadoomuu), where it can elect and be elected to the office, the Gadaa Assembly, which is responsible for executive power to administer the affairs of the people. Its main symbol is the Bokku, which is a symbol of Authority.
Baatuu = > the 6th stage and it will not retire from public duty, rather will going to overtake an advisory role and overlook the performance of those still in power, in the Gadaa stage.
Yuuba (1ffaa) => is the 7th and higher stage, where it overtakes the role of the Elders of the society. Its main role is the arbitration and settlements of disputes in the society. It looks after keeping a peaceful settlement of the social disputes and contribute towards keeping peace in the society.
Yuuba 2ffaa is the next stage, which comes after the first Yuuba reached its 8th year in the role.
Jaarsa => is the last stage, which is a stage of retirement with a main role of giving its blessings (senior citizens of the people).
This practice is showcased in the next video, which is still performed in southern part of the country, in Guji and Borana sections of the Oromo people.The place is Bule Horaa, which was formerly known as Hager-Selam, I think.
This is part of the Oromummaa many are hell-bent to get it obliterated from the face of the earth, for whatever reason.