Climate Resilient Indigenous Community Self-Help Practices in Oromo Gadaa System: The Cases of Sikkoo-Mandoo Oromo in Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Climate resilient livelihood is used to mitigate the adverse climatic effects. The farmers’ livelihood vulnerable to extreme climatic events were recorded in study area. Hence, this study was aimed to investigate climate resilient indigenous livelihood practices in Oromo Gadaa system. Data were collected by 69 respondents’ interview and literature review and analyzed by descriptive statistics. Indigenous early warning, conflict settlement, and community self-help were the climate resilient livelihood practiced in study area. Majority of farmers have been used indigenous early warning information forecasted by Raagaa Wogii. Tree ring, sediments layer, and wind direction have been used to know and predicts extreme climatic event in indigenous early warning system. In alleviating climatic effects of conflict, Gadaa system have allocated the responsibilities of every individual in indigenous conflict prevention and resolution. The Sadii walii dhoksuu, Sadii walii obsuu, Sadii walgorsuu and Araaramuu have been the conflicts prevention mechanisms settled by conflicting parties. The Ilmo-limmoo, Qora, and Gumaa have been conflict resolution techniques mainly settled by hayyuus, Ambaa Gadaa and Abbaa gadaas through hearing the causes in detail. Seera siiqqee has been used to settle the conflicts between man and woman whereas Guula has been the resolution mechanisms of political conflict. The community self-help practices: Ameesa dabarsu, Dabaree kenuu, Gegawo-gegesaa, Soruu, Hirphuu, Gumaata, Liqii, Qabdoo qabuuf, Qote-qotii, Sanyii kennuu, Woliif Tiksuu, Dhoofsisuu, Daboo, and Edir and/or Ekub have been indigenous climate resilient livelihood used in Gadaa system. Majorities of community self-helps have been the responsibilities of members in their clan, friends and families. So, the indigenous early warning system, conflict settlement and community self-help practices should legalized and used at a regional level. The evidences, reliability and effectiveness of the indigenous early warning system need further study.

Keywords: Climate resilient, Conflict settlement, Early warning, Spiritual leader

DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/55-04

Publication date: January 31^st 2020