Thousands of people are visiting one of the country’s largest cultural events in Ethiopia.
The week-long GADA ceremony ended on Sunday, seeing the formal power transfer from a customary ruler to his successor, which happens every eight years.
For centuries, the Borana community has practiced the tradition of regularly appointing new Abbaa Gadaa – and seen them gather in the rural areas of Arda Jila Badhasa near the Ethiopian town of Arero.
It is time to celebrate their special form of democracy and its cultural heritage, with people of every age having the opportunity to wear different traditional costumes.
These are the day before the parade before the official exchange, where married women marched with wooden batons, called “Siinqee”.
The baton has symbolic protective value for women who use these protections during conflict.
If a married woman between two quarrels and placing a siinqee stick on the ground, it means that the conflict must be immediately out of respect.
In the parade, young women distinguished themselves from married women in different colors of clothing.
In this pastoral society, women are excluded from the highest power of Abbaa Gadaa who sits in the Elders’ Council or enters the system as a child.
However, during the festival they can see their important role as they build all the accommodations for those who stay the week – and prepare all the food.
The unique GADA governance system was added to the UN’s cultural heritage list in 2016, allowing them to attend regular community meetings and comment on Abbaa Gadaa.
GADA membership is only open to boys, whose fathers are already members – young Initiates shaved the royal family to show that they are clearly ranked.
The smaller the circle, the older he is.
As reported by UNESCO Global Cultural Institution, oral historians speak to young initiatives about “history, law, rituals, time estimates, cosmology, myths, rules of conduct and the functions of GADA systems”.
The boys’ training starts at the age of eight.
Later, their potential as future leaders will be evaluated.
As they grew up, the test included walking barefoot for a long distance, effectively slaughtering cattle, and showing kindness to their companions.
Traditionally, headdresses made from couri shells were young trainees. The only person allowed to wear is the old woman.
Both groups are respected by members of the Borana community.
The ostrich feathers they wear are identified as males aged 28 to 32, and these feathers are called “Baalli” in the Afaan Oromo language.
Their participation in the GADA ceremony is an opportunity to learn, prepare and connect because Abbaa Gadaa of this age will be in power in 2033.
The main activity at the recent GADA ceremony was the transfer of power, from the outgoing 48-year-old Abbaa Gadaa to his young successor.
The well-meaning people crossed the border from Kenya, while others drove past Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, to witness the wonder. The governor of Massapit County in Kenya is one of the respected guests.
Thirty-seven-year-old Guyo Boru Guyo was elected as leader here with a spear, because he impressed the Elders Council as a teenager.
He became the 72nd Abbaa Gadaa and will now oversee the Borana community on the borders of southern Ethiopia and northwestern Kenya.
As their top diplomat, he will also be responsible for resolving the hatred of herders.
These usually involve raids and controversy over water supply in this drought-prone area.
During his eight years at the helm, his successor will complete his training to continue working in this tradition passed down from generation to generation.
Other reports from Natasha Booty.
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