Like that of other peoples in Ethiopia, the Oromo people have an exceedingly rich culture that has been accumulated over a long period of time, passed down from generation to generation. This well-cultivated culture is deeply rooted in the Gadaa system that has been shaping and guiding the mode of governance, socio-economic conditions, and world view of the people
Gadaa system is an indigenous Oromo worldview and democratic governance system that has been used to regulate political, economic, socio-cultural, legal, religious, calendar, and other aspects of the Oromo people.
The system reflects the unique cultural values, practices, and governance structures that have evolved over generations, shaping the identity and cohesion of the people. It is often described as a unique political and social organization that governs the entire life of Oromo people, and it is characterized by a system of governance, social classes, age grades, and rituals that regulate various aspects of the people.
According to the information obtained from Oromia Culture and Tourism Bureau, the Gadaa System is well known for its feature of peaceful and democratic transfer of political power (Baallii) in every eight (8) years. Having exercised democratic political power for eight consecutive years, the power holder transfers his power officially and publicly. The Public power transfer ceremony takes place at Ardaa Jilaas (ritual Places) where all the voters and concerned sections of the society participate.
The Oromo Abbaa Gadaas, who lead different areas of Oromia, practice the value of Gadaa system and transfer Baallii in their respective ritual places. These places are called Ardaa Jilaas. These Ardaa Jilaas are Bedasa, Me’ee Bokkoo and Nura , Odaa Nabee, Odaa Bisil and Odaa Bulluk Hora Sama, Odaa Roobaa, and Odaa Bultum for Borana, Guji, Tulama, Macha, Karayu, Arsi, and Itu and Humbana respectively.
Ardaa Jilaa is a ritual place by which Baallii, or the symbol of political power, is transferred to the newly elected Abbaa Gadaa (the presiding leader), and the Baallii (Power) transition event is the most important element of the Gadaa system that makes it democratic and participative.
Procedures that the 72nd Borana Oromo Baallii transition events, that have been taken place in March 2025, is a reflection of this fact. Each age group of the Borana community has had the opportunity to participate in the event by wearing their different cultural clothes.
Such power transferring ceremonies occur every eight years at ritual places or elsewhere with unique cultural performances and are exceptional tourist attractions.
Married women participated in holding wooden batons called “Siinqee” that have symbolic values of protection for women who use them during conflict.
During the procession, younger women walk at the front, distinguished from the married women by the different colour of their clothing.
Also, Gadaa membership is open to boys whose fathers are already members, and they have their heads shaven at the crown to make their rank clear.
Oral historians teach them about history, laws, rituals, time reckoning, cosmology, myths, rules of conduct, and the function of Gada system. Training for boys begins as young as eight years old.
The 72nd Borana Oromo Baalli (Power) transition have been taken place peacefully in March 2025 at Eastern Borana Zone Arero Woreda especial place called Ardaa Jilaa Badhaasaa with a colorful ceremony at the presence of the President of the Oromia Regional State, senior Federal and State officials, Abbaa Gadaas, Diplomats and other stake holders
During the Baallii transferring week, communal issues like conservation of the environment, protection of wildlife, amendment of customary old laws, adoption of new laws, and the like were discussed and preached by elders. The newly appointed Abbaa Gadaa will use the laws to lead the people.
Before undertaking the handover ring of Baallii, outgoing and incoming Abbaa Gadaa bless each other with the following expressions:
The outgoing Abbaa Gadaa says, “Hoo baallii nagayaa, kan hormaata, kan bultumaa! (Take the Bali of peace, fertility, and prosperity!)
The incoming Abbaa Gadaa responds, “Kenni baallii nagayaa, kan hormaata, kan bultumaa!” (Grant me the Bali of peace, fertility, and prosperity!)
“Gadoominaan na dabri’’ (May you surpass me in leadership and wisdom!)
“Qaroomaan na caali!” (May you exceed me in wisdom!)
“Hormaataan na dabri!” (May you surpass me in fertility and growth!)
Waan dansaa cufaan na dabri!” (May all good things surpass me and come to you!)
“Bultuma lubbuu waliin bula! “(May you rule with long life and prosperity!)
“Barri Gadaa kee kan roobaa, kan quufaa, kan hormaata, kan nagayaa siif haa ta’u!” (May your Gadaa era be one of rain, abundance, fertility, and peace!)
The 71th Borana Abbaa Gadaa Kura Jerso speaking at the event said that “I rejoiced when I took the Baallii and I am happy when I transfer it to the next as well adding that the world kills each other to take power. But we transfer power through blessing each other”.
Appreciating the effort of the government to promote and develop the culture of Oromo people, he noted that the government has included the Gadaa system into to education curriculum to transmit the values and norms of the system to the next generation, which is the long-term quest of Oromo people.
He called on the government should bound and give a map for Badhaasaa ritual place to protect it from any illegal holding of land and build an asphalt road and other infrastructures to make the area convenient for tourism, noting the existence of endemic birds in the area.
He emphasized the need for the newly appointed Abbaa Gadaa to discharge his responsibility in building peace in the country, through working with the government in line with the values of the Gadaa system, adding that the values of Gadaa system are not separable from peace.
Abbaa Gadaa Guyo Boru (The newly appointed Abbaa Gadaa) on his self said that “I took the Baallii through passing different stages of Gadaa system starting from my childhood”.
He promised to work for the unity of Oromo people in the coming eight years of his regime, as working for the unity of the people is the role and responsibility of community leaders.
Delegates from Kenya who have participated in the ceremony stressed that Gadaa system can unite Oromo people living inside and outside of Ethiopia if it is properly used, adding that like that of Oromo people who live in Oromia, that of living in Kenya has Gadaa system and lives in line with the values of the system.
The delegate said that, in contrast to having territorial differences, we have people who share similar cultures.
Mohammed Golicha, leader of the delegation, said that Ethiopia and Kenya share a thousand kilometers of boundary, a number of similar cultures and living styles.
Concerning the current relationships of the two countries, he said that following the coming into power of Abiy Ahmed (PhD), the relationships between the two countries became stronger and stronger, noting the participation of a Kenya delegate at the Baallii transferring ceremony of Guji Gadaa that have been taken place last year.
Head of Oromia Culture and Tourism Bureau Jamila Sinbiru, on her part, said that the role of the Abbaa Gadaas in advancing people and culture is paramount, adding that “The Borana community leaders insisted that it is better to lose their lives than to lose their culture. Taking this fact into account, the government has given priority to cultural reforms to restore the culture and history of the people.
She cited the construction of cultural centers, cultural courts in Yabello, and the introduction of Gada system as a subject in the region as examples.
The launched works will continue step by step, she said.
She underscored that, being the first Baallii transition after the launch of cultural reform, this ceremony is unique from the previous Bali transition.
Shimelis Abdisa, President of Oromia Regional State, conveying a message on the event said that “I am delighted to be among you to attend this great ceremony.
I would like to congratulate the Oromo people as well as all the people of our country.
I would also like to congratulate all the participants from Oromia, Ethiopia, South Africa, and internationally who attended the handover ceremony today.
This long and meaningful practice of Baallii transition is, on the one hand, the foundation of our identity, the mystery of unity, and the roots of our greatness, and on the other hand, a testament to the eternal wisdom of our ancestors.
It is a recent reminder that this center of our identity has been named after regime sanctions for many years. However, it could not be easily abolished because our people insisted on their culture.
The Borana people are at the forefront of sticking to this system. All Borana people are Gadaa people, adding that for the Oromo people, Gadaa is more than a culture, tradition, morality, and civilization. It is a code of conduct and the center of identity.
The process of a peaceful, orderly, and responsible handover of power is a practical demonstration of the collective wisdom of the Oromo people”.
He concluded with a promise to do the development that can be done and wished the 72nd Borana Gadaa Baallii a peaceful, prosperous year.
BY TAMERU REGASA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 13 APRIL 2025
