In Africa, time-tested social, economic and political wisdoms destroyed as a result of the colonial rule which lasted for almost a century. Consequently, indigenous system of administrations had left all the spaces to foreign institutions imposed by colonialists.
If one argues that Africa has managed to retain some of the home-grown systems, he/she should not shy away from admitting as the values are far from being shared among the wider communities or they do not receive due recognition and protection. In Ethiopia the case was different. Forefathers fought bravely and prevented foreign aggressors from advancing their colonial ambition. Hence, indigenous institutions are still kept among societies.
However, great emphasis attached with the global north’s social and economic constructs has contributed for the installation of an imported system. Here the prejudice to the home-grown way of doing things has, therefore, been a willful adoption of the western style (education for instance).
Our experience and that of the colonized’s confluence are that in both cases the tested traditional institutions seem to have been attacked from local intellectuals who received western education. With the emergence of decolonizing socio-economic and political systems, home-grown ones could be said to revive in various places.
The following piece is, therefore, to familiarize esteemed reads with traditional systems of administration, Ashen Garad and Sera, long practiced by the people of Hadiya, in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The name Ashen Garad refers to both the administrative system and the leaders who sit at the peak of the hierarchy. Ashen Garad is both the administrative system and the title given to the top leader of the system.
Places like Ana Limo, Limo, Duna, Gombira, Mirab Badocho, Misrak Badocho, Misha, Shashogo, Soro are amongst the current administrative units of Hadiya zone. Each of the units has at least one traditional administrator called Garad. And the administrations led by the Garads are autonomous in their nature. However, the Garads are loyal to the Ashen Garad who is head of the Garads. And the Ashen Garad chairs the council of Garads as swell to pass decisions on issues of common interest.
Whenever conflicts arise among tribes led by the Garads, it will never degenerate into violence. The administrators contain conflicts at a premature level. There is a system that helps to deal with conflicts called Sera. By the way, this procedure is shared by many other peoples of the state, says Ashen Garad Gebrekidan Kelbago speaking to The Ethiopian Herald.
Becoming Ashen Garad [leader of the system] requires administrative based qualities and self-reliance when it comes to economic background. In addition, the Ashen Garad has to prove his virtue by managing his family properly, not to mention paying great respect to the community’s values, he added. He claims that the system used to be exercised in the Sultanate of Hadiya, and become known to other peoples in 12-13th century.
Ashen Garad stratifies the administration of each tribe to be ruled by their member and each ruler has the title known as Garad. He describes the nature of Ashen Garad as well organized federalism. Furthermore, the conflict resolution mechanism has its own investigation and punishment approaches called ‘Tigulma’. The name describes all the process of investigation and the punishment applied on culprits as well as the elders who hear cases.
Once investigation is carried out and the culprit is identified, the Tigulmas pass their final verdict. And the verdict will be presented to Garads for further scrutiny and approval. As to Ashen Garad Gebrekidan, the traditional judicial system called Hafe Danoma arranged as Mildana [that makes the primary investigation at grassroots], and the process go hierarchically to the next levels based on the case called Moldana, Gishdana and Gildana.
However, the two levels can only open investigations into cases. And verdicts and decisions could be passed at the two subsequent higher levels. If the plaintiff and defendant prefer to appeal decisions, there is one more chance—i.e., the top hierarchy called Mharano. According to him, the government is supporting them in their effort of protecting and enriching the system.
In addition, various researches have been contributing their shares through conducting studies on the system including at PhD level. The findings and recommendations are so crucial to further develop the traditional system of administration. Approached for interview by this reporter, historian and researcher Dr. Amanuel Abreham said the system was diminishing some decades ago.
But now it has received due recognition from the government, according to him. To him, elders in Hadiya are respectful for their tremendous functions in their society and for their fair decisions. In Ashen Garad one tribal leader cannot interfere on other. “The system which is inclusive and that has conciliator role lasted 1,500 years now.” Indigenous institutions have unique power in unifying communities. Government’s protection to these homegrown systems would also help to expedite the socio-economic aspiration of the country.
The Ethiopian Herald, November 30/2018
BY YESUF ENDRIS
