Relative Evidences of Climate Change in Oromo Gadaa System and Recorded Climatological Parameters in Arsi-Oromo, Ethiopia

Abstract

The evidence of climate change have been realized by changing patterns of climatic parameters. Yet the relative evidence of climate change in modern meteorology and indigenous knowledge of local communities have not been studied well. This study is so aimed to examine relative evidence of climate change in meteorological data and Gadaa system within five Gadaa term. Thus total of 77 respondents were purposively selected from Arsi, East Shoa and West Arsi zones. Interviews, focused group discussions, field observations and reviewing the recorded meteorological data were used in data collection. The quantitative data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics while the qualitative data were interpreted and analyzed in the form of narratives, trend analysis and descriptions. The results of temperature and rainfall have been the main climatic parameters used to realize climatic events both in modern meteorological station and Gadaa system. The Ethiopian meteorological data in five decades shows the rising of mean annual temperature by 0.014 ⁰C and decreasing of rainfall by 0.2mm/year rate. Similarly, climate changes indicators in Gadaa system, was also shows the decreasing of rainfall induced product and increasing of hotness.  Hotness have been forecasted by every individual from the temporal and spatial change in ices coverage, shifting of lowland crop, pest and disease to highland. The precipitation has been forecasted by spiritual leaders in Gadaa system from the thickness of annually developed sediment deposits and tree rings, direction of cloud and wind movements, and seasonal stars position within five Gadaa period. Hence indigenous climate change prediction system of Oromo Gadaa system should be modernized for adaptation and mitigation of extreme climate events.

Key words: Climate change Evidences, Gadaa system, prediction, Raaga

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/16-1-03

Publication date: February 28^th 2026