The Ancestral History and Traditional Administrative Structure of Hadiyya Society: An Ethnic Group in Ethiopia

Abstract

Hadiyya is one of the ancient indigenous people in the southern part of Ethiopia, whose language is Hadiyyissaa. The ancient Hadiyya was one of the majority indigenous ethnic groups, which has a great history with strong earliest kingdom in Ethiopia. The current Hdiyya people are not the only indigenous people of the Hadiyya ethnic groups. Due to migration and massive movement within and outside the country, Hadiyyas were forced to live scattered in search of resources, peaceful place for their lives and foreign trade. As a result, they are assimilated with and sometimes overwhelmed by other ethnic groups. This article discusses different tribes of the indigenous Hadiyyas who came to the current place, Hadiyya Zone, in a scattered manner. According to the oral tradition and written documents, the ancient Hadiyya had its own strong Kingdom that helped to administer and rule the widely spread tribes of the ethnic group who had large territories in different parts of the country. The kingdom structure had also played a vital role in shaping the relationship of the Hadiyyas with other ethnic groups and with the outside world.  During its kingdom, the head master or governor of Hadiyya used to be called ‘Adilla’ means ‘the King’. The current traditional administrative structure is also shaped in line with the ancient one. The traditional system of administration in Hadiyya is called ‘Hadiyyi Gessi Seeraa’ or ‘Gessaa’. Therefore, according to the Seeraa or Gessaa there are dignitaries or traditional leaders in the hierarchy who are chosen in two ways; by the society and by their personal performance, to hold the administrative role in the society.