Generally speaking, the continent of Africa is characterized by rooted patriarchy. Since the people are too conservative and the way they socialize religion is inclined to favor male sections, most of the cultural practices are formed based on exalting up the traits and nature of men rather than women. Women are the most vulnerable and ignored sections of the society. Since they are regarded as weak and soft, they are entitled to stay home, carry out household chores and care for family members. In most of the countries on the continent, the woman’s final destination is to get married, bear children and serve her husband and prospective family. She is expected to extend a helping hand and carry out activities in the field.
The reality in Ethiopia is not far from the region mentioned above. Most of the people concentrated in the rural areas of the country believed in the subordination of females. Indigenous cultures like Gamo Dubusha in the Gamo Zone, in the southern part of Ethiopia, revealed the real philosophy and reality of the community regarding femininity.
In the culture of Gamo Dubusha, the status of women seems patriarchic and at the same time, it has a valuable thing that can be taken as a sample for other indigenous cultures in the country and in the continent. Interviews and physical observations in the area are presented as follows. Have a good read.
In the interview with the Haleka around Chencha, I understood that women are highly respected and heard if they request any tension to calm down kneeling down. Anyone could not cross women who did the said thing. In addition to that the newly married women are treated and respected at least till their official recognition or Sophie.
In the culture female patriarchy seems accepted and adored. Kawo Tadesse was having an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald. Though he never wanted to capitalize on the marginalization of females in the culture his narration is understood in the way mentioned under. He said that when a woman gives birth and has no one to take care of her and her baby, then the husband could do the household routines. He might wash all the dirties of the woman and the baby, prepare food, clean the house, milk cows, and the like. But he performed these jobs behind closed doors for the reason that men are not allowed to carry out such jobs. It is considered a shame- not only for the man but also for the woman too. He said if someone came by chance while the husband was executing this task, he would sneak out of the back door and reappear as if he came from somewhere else. The other thing that impressed me is since such things are too taboo; the wife could not tell the story to anyone.
Gamo Television CEO Addisu Adamu (PhD) also stated one aspect of the culture related to femininity in the following way.
In Gamo culture, when the Demera, eve of Meskel festival ensues, the male sections of the given family are going to be represented by the plant called Bamboo. Every male, even a newborn baby boy is represented. However, the females are not represented by any form of the plant. He said that in the day, those males under-representation are going to hold this bamboo and move out to the village to light bonfires. But females stay home.
The other unaddressed issue about females in the area is related to inheritance. In the culture of the people, when marriage is made the father of the husband is expected to build a house for the couples in his compound. Then they start living in their house till the groom’s father assures them that they can lead their life alone. As Addisu narrated, if the husband is the first son, he will not be allowed to get out of his father’s house. But if he is not, he is free to build his own house and leave his father’s house. According to the culture of this community, if the couple gave birth to a female and if the man passed away, his wife and his daughter will never take anything from the house or inherit the land. To get the inheritance, the new born baby should be a boy. Thus, after the death of her husband, the one who becomes a widow is supposed to return to her father’s house. The assets are passed on to the brother of her late husband.
As Addisu further explained, if the woman takes the issue to court, it is obvious that she wins her case as the law and regulation allow her to take the inheritance. But that is out of the cultural law of the community and considered as Gomie or sin in the eyes of the community. Thus, the woman who takes the case to the court and collects her share faces challenges from the community. They ignore her and stop seeing her in every case. Since women know this very well, they prefer to respect the culture.
In the cultural meeting called Dubusha, females are forbidden to get into the place. They contact Deries commonly said that there is a demarcation that is lined by the leader or Haleka of that place. In this meeting place, it is males who discuss and raise issues. Kawo Tadesse made it brief that if the females in a given community were charged with a misdemeanor or any case to be seen in Dubusha, they have a place to stay- just at the corner of the Dubusha. When a woman comes up with a case, then there is a mediator who stands between her and the meeting place to bridge her with the elders. I asked the reason behind this. Kawo Tadesse said,
“This place is considered as a temple. It is a highly respected area. As you know, females are not allowed to enter temples [due to their nature, mainly on their periods as the menstrual blood period is considered dirty.] It is like that.” He added that this is not done deliberately to ignore females; rather it is due to their nature. Females are mothers, they are lactate, and they have menstruation cycles. Due to this, in most cases, they can’t be free of such things. Thus it is safe for them to stay away. In their partitioned surface, their role is to celebrate and warm up the decisions and judgments. They stay quiet till the elders and men talk and decide on a certain issue then after the resolution of a given issue, they explode it with a massive melodious shout and clap.
As the leaders in the studied four Deries said, females are not allowed to be the leader or Haleka of a given cultural region. Their role is simply to help and encourage their husband. As per the culture, when a man becomes Huduga, he has the chance to marry more than one wife. The role of these wives is to assist him and their children. Since this is the accepted norm, the women themselves adore it and live with it with no complaints.
In the mentioned culture, the subordination and exploitation of females in the area is seen as deeply socialized that the females themselves are taking it as the right way of conduct. However, As Kawo reflected, since the culture of Dubusha has a platform that appreciates relevant reforms, the issue of females can be revisited strategically so that to keep the culture compatible and inclusive to every section of the society. He also mentioned matters that were revised to protect the rights of women and benefit them meaningfully. This activity will be further strengthened and continued to create a more favorable environment for women. What is more, their vital and irreplaceable contribution, for instance in resolving conflicts, should be reinforced and heightened. It is very effective if patriarchy is approached through the culture itself. Thus, responsible bodies can consider it ahead for boosting gender equality.
BY MEKDES TAYE (PhD)
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER 2024
