Gadaa Indigenous Governance System In Light Of Modern Democratic Constitutional Principles

Constitution is the aspiration of people in which a given society’s way of life is determined and thernwhole political system is formulated. Constitution is not the act of the government. In a democraticrnsociety, it is an act of people in which it constitutes the government itself. But the study of Ethiopianrnconstitutional or legal history shows that laws of the country are imported from other countries, which arernalien to the Ethiopian people. This research paper tries to analyze Gadaa indigenous governance systemrnwhich has been formulated and practiced by Oromo people, by comparing with modern democraticrnconstitutional principles, elements and values. The researcher generated data for this paper from BoranarnGadaa Oromo’s. The data was collected through observation and interviews from Borana during therncelebration of the 71st ballii wal irra fudhuu (power transfer) of Borana Gadaa from February 28, 2017-rnMarch 07, 2017 in Borana zone Arero woreda. The research findings show that Gadaa Governance is anrnindigenous democratic Governance of Oromo people which accommodate basic modern democraticrnconstitutional principles, elements and values. It was also found out that Gadaa incorporated neither inrnEthiopian constitutional history at federal nor recently, in Oromia National Regional Government StaternConstitution, where Gadaa is exercised for centuries. Gadaa indigenous governance system is thernreflection of values of Oromo society, which can serve the same purpose as modern democraticrnconstitution. This study enhances Ethiopian constitutional research to analyze and have knowledge andrnpractice about Gadaa indigenous governance system as it accommodates basic democratic constitutionalrnelements, values and principles. It can also be a source for modern constitution of the country.rnParticularly in Oromia National Regional State, it can be used as an input to incorporate Gadaarngovernance system in the state constitution through amending of the recent constitution.rnKey words: Ingenious Governance, Gadaa System, Democracy, Democratic ConstitutionalrnPrinciples.

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