Women and girls are the most vulnerable groups in most societies; they are considered weak compared to men. Such notions are the results of deeply rooted cultural practices that have existed for centuries, many of which are violent. To curb these and other forms of violence that women across the globe face, women and girls have been showing solidarity in different forms.
In Ethiopia, one prime example of an institution based on sisterhood and solidarity is Addooyyee, an Oromo sorority institution for girls to organize, unite, learn, acquire, and maintain their power to protect their rights and defend themselves. The Addooyyee institution has been a staple of the Oromo female experience for a very long time and was formed to strengthen the ties between girls who voluntarily join.
Addooyyee is a platform meant for unmarried girls in Oromo communities and goes by different names depending on the area. Some of the names of the institution include addaarroo, goshoo, daraboo, miilto and mari.
This platform is an embodiment of Oromo culture. Through it, Oromo peoples’ culture, psychology, and way of life are passed down to the next generation.
Through Addooyyee, the girls address a multitude of issues that arise as a consequence of the lack of access to resources and/or opportunities and lead to social inequality.
The platform is a lifetime bond of sisterhood that is created after taking an oath marking the establishment of the institution. When the girls decided to form the institution, they sit and discuss about what the institution should look like.
The advantage of Addooyyee is its ability to create a platform for discussion because such platform plays a crucial role in protecting girls from abuse and mistreatment. For instance, if an Addooyyee is approached by a man to marry her, she will share the idea with her group and they will gather as much information as possible about him. The process is undertaken to make sure that their Addooyyee marries the right man. If the man is not fit enough for their Addooyyee, the ultimate decision rests on the Addooyyee who is going to marry and her family, but Addooyyee absorbs their perspective.
Open discussion is one of the manifestations of Addooyyee. Everything is subject to discussion and deliberation. Whatever the members face is put on the table and dealt with as a group. Harassment of any kind and by anyone (family members, acquaintances, or strangers) perpetrated against an Addooyyee is discussed in confidence. Harassment or abuse is regarded as a breach of Addooyyee, the unwritten sacred rules and regulations set by the Oromo people, and failure to observe can result in punishment. If there is a breach that the Addooyyee cannot contain or resolve on their own, they will disclose the matter to elders who are both responsible and capable.
Moreover, the institution empowers Addooyyee to make an informed decision. The discussion forum gives Addooyyee a chance to discuss and make informed decisions on all social, economic, and cultural issues. Fertility, marriage, friendship, motherhood, health, etc. are discussed among the girls. Due to this, Addooyyee choices and perspectives are results of in-depth discussions and they do not reach a certain decision without consulting one another. Through Addooyyee, they share their experiences which are used as markers for the group when they are faced with similar issues.
The institution is formed solely by girls who are not married. The underlying base of the relationship is consent, genuine sisterhood, intimacy, understanding, and care. The relationship can also be formed between girls who are related by blood. For Addooyyee to be operational there must be a minimum of two girls with no limit to the maximum number of members.
During the establishment of the Addooyyee institution, girls come together and make a promise of Addooyyummaa (friendship). They consult on how the institution is going to be effective and how it would support their growth. They also decide upon the cadence in which they plan to meet, discuss about their education, whom to be with, whom not to be with, etc.
After consulting on the details of the union, they go to a riverbank where the Addooyyee (tall grass) grows and uproot it independently. Then, they take the oath holding the Calladduu they uprooted.
Consultation is one of the basic principles of Addooyyee. Members get together when they fetch water, collect firewood and discuss issues such as their society, their families, national matters, and the different situations they face on a day-today basis. During the inception of the union, Addooyyees discuss how they can support one another. They inquire about each other and discuss any challenges they may be facing. They also share their plans and aspirations.
For instance, when an Addooyyee marries, the others prepare her for what is to come. They consult their Addooyyee on what to do, what not to do and how to live among the haalaga (strangers) of her future husband’s gosaa (clan) and qoomo (sub-clan). As the girl is transitioning to a new way of life, the Addooyyees prepares her psychologically. Not only that, Addooyyees discuss several issues that might also arise within the marriage including how an Addooyyee should keep her family by being hardworking and respectful to her marriage.
Open discussion on all issues is a key principle of the relationship. They even discuss topics that are deemed to be taboo such as periods. This discussion in particular is vital. One of the ways in which societies oppress girls is when topics, such as their periods, are made taboo; further depriving the girls of essential information. To combat this, Addooyyees freely share their respective experiences in this regard.
Confidentiality is another crucial element in the creation of the institution. Secrets are kept within the group. Addooyyees share their experiences and encounters without the fear of being exposed. This is a fact that is accepted by all of them when they take the oath to keep each other’s secrets.
Addooyyee are there for each other in their daily lives. In Addooyyee, no information leaks unless there are explicit recognition and authorization from the other Addooyyees.
The social support is highly visible when their Addooyyee is about to marry. Starting from the proposal, Addooyyee are a part of the marriage activities. When a man approaches one of the Addooyyee and expresses his intention to marry, the Addooyyees get together and discuss the man’s character to see if he is a good fit to marry their Addooyyee. They assess if the potential husband is responsible enough and capable of being their Addooyyee’s husband.
After the consultation, if they find the man an acceptable fit, the Addooyyees give the green light for their Addooyyee to marry him. If they do not find him to be fit, they put pressure on their Addooyyee to reject the proposal. However, the ultimate decision rests on either the Addooyyee or her family. If the man is accepted, the family is to decide the date of the wedding. Then, Addooyyees start to sing and prepare for different ritual ceremonies two weeks before the big day. They sing different songs to will beauty and happiness in their Addooyyee’s marriage.
(Source: setawit.com)
COMPILED BY LEULSEGED WORKU
The Ethiopian Herald August 17/2023
