The Oromo of Harerghe
(Part Three)
On the Tradition of “Oda Bultum”
(Part Three)
On the Tradition of “Oda Bultum”
By Afendi Muteki
As it was the case in other parts of Oromiya, the Oromos of
Harerghe had a traditional self administration system. The highest body of the
administration was the “Caffee Gadaa” assembly which used to hold its congress
at Oda Bultum every eight year. The center called “Oda Bultum” was located at a
place called “Hora Baaduu” which is found at 15 Kms distance from Baddessa town.
Since the Oda Bultum is surrounded by the Ittu Oromos, some people wrongly
assume that it was serving the tribal assembly of Ittu Oromos only. But both
oral and written records show that originally “Oda Bultum” was the common assembly
of the three tribes of the Harar Oromo (Ittu, Afran Qallo and Anniya). It was
only in the 18th century that the three groups install their own local
assemblies; however, Oda Bultum remained an important cultural and administrative
center for all of the three groups and they regarded it “the well-spring of
Oromo wisdom” (Mohammed Hassen: cited
from Encyclopedia Aethiopica, 2004, pp 244)
The congress of “Caffee
Gadaa” assembly, called “Kora Gadaa” or “Yaa’ii Gadaa”, which was held at Oda
Bultum would be undertaken for eight consecutive days and it had been attended
by delegates called “luba”. Each “luba” must had a minimum of 40 years age and
he would be elected by a local assembly of sub-clan. Then all “lubas” would gather
at Oda Bultum and they would elect the future leaders. The congress was hosted
by a group of appointed deputies which was lead by “Abbaa Caffee”. The “lubas”
would stay in eight huts made from hay. (The “number eight” indicates the eight
years of one cycle of “Gadaa”).
Under the instruction of “Abba Caffee” the “lubas” would
elect “Abba Gadaa” who would be the future ceremonial head of state. Under “Abbaa
Gadaa”s moderation and the participation of every “luba”, the assembly would
evaluate the pervious performance of the administration and issue new laws and
make strategic decisions. At the end of the congress, the assembly would form a
new administrative through democratic election. The election criteria were
bravery, oratory skill, knowhow of the society’s norms and customs, good discipline,
good health etc… (Handicapped people wouldn’t be elected). On the whole, all
nominees must had passed through the five cycles of “Gadaa”; that is, they must
be of 40 years of age but under 48 years.
The assembly would elect six people who would fill the
administration. The six people would be lead by “Abbaa Bokkuu” (the president)
who was the head of the government; the other five would be members of his cabinet
and each of them had ministerial position. The five ministers were called “Abbaa
Biyyaa” (which was roughly equal to Minister of Land and Administrative Affairs),
“Abbaa Duulaa” (equal to Minister of War), “Abbaa Horii” (equal to Minister of
Economy), “Abbaa Seeraa” (equal to Minister of Justice) and “Abbaa Diidaa” (equal
to Minister of Transport and Foreign Affairs). Generally, the five ministers
were called “Shanan Gadaa”. The office of the governor (president) was known as
“Mana Bokkuu” (House of the President). It was these two houses that would run
the day to day administrative affairs of the state in the forthcoming eight
years.
In all of its activities, the administrative body was supported by a council called “Mana Hayyuu” which was filled by a group of skilled and scholarly people called “Hayyuu”. These “Hayyuus” were usually people who reached the age of “Gada Moojjii” (meaning “retired from Gadaa” or “retired from administrative age”). “Hayyuu” can be re-elected but “Abbaa Bokkoo” and the five ministers (“Shanan Gadaa”) serve only one term.
In all of its activities, the administrative body was supported by a council called “Mana Hayyuu” which was filled by a group of skilled and scholarly people called “Hayyuu”. These “Hayyuus” were usually people who reached the age of “Gada Moojjii” (meaning “retired from Gadaa” or “retired from administrative age”). “Hayyuu” can be re-elected but “Abbaa Bokkoo” and the five ministers (“Shanan Gadaa”) serve only one term.
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The laws and rules issued at Oda Bultum would be ratified at
“Garbii Darrabbaa”, a place located at two Kms north of Oda Bultum. There, a
congress of lawyers would study the laws and strategies issued by “Caffee Gadaa”
assembly on the constitutional basis; unconstitutional law would be called “Heer
malee” and rejected, and the constitutional laws would be accepted as the
working directive of the state. The member of “Garbii Darrabbaa” congress would
be called “Abbaa Heeraa” and he was also elected by lower (local) assembly. A
man who was elected as “Abbaa Heeraa” would be called by this title until the
end of his life. (Note: “Abbaa Seeraa” is different from “Abbaa Heeraa”. The
former was “Minister of Justice; the later was member of the law making
congress. In modern term, we may call the latter one “congressman”).
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It is also noteworthy
to mention “Raabaa Dorii” which was the “Council of Defense”. This council runs
the military affairs of the state and it was lead by “Abbaa Dulaa” (Minister of
War). Military campaigns and defense
programs would be implemented only after they have got good support by the “Raabaa
Dorii”. On the other hand, the budget of the army and mandatory military
service programs would be decided by this military council.
The army was called “Raayyaa”. The most trained and best equipped
section of “Rayyaa” was known as “Qeeyroo” or “Qeerroo” (to mean “fierce and
fast as leopard”). According to the information obtained from different sources,
the chain of command of the army looks like the following.
1.
The smallest unite of the army had nine personnel
and it was called “Saglii” /Seylii. Each “Seylii” was commanded by “Abbaa
Seylii”.
2.
Three “Seylii” form “Muraasa” which was lead by “Abbaa
Muraasaa”.
3.
Three “Muraasaa” form “Buttaa” and it was lead
by “Abbaa Buttaa”
4.
Three “Buttaa” form “Cibraa” (Cifraa) and this
was commanded by “Abbaa Cibraa”
5.
Three “Cibraa” form “Gubbaa” and this was lead
by “Abbaa Gubbaa”
6.
Three “Gubbaa” form “Hoomaa” and this was “lead”
by “Bobbaasaa”
7.
Three “Hoomaa” form “Raayyaa” which was commanded
by “Abbaa Duulaa”.
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In the latter half of 19th
century the power of “Mana Bokkuu” and “Shanan Gadaa” offices shrinked while
the “Raabaa Dorii” became the most powerful body in the state. The “Abbaa
Duulaa” started to exercise full authority over the state. On the other hand,
wealth became the most important criteria to be elected as a leader. Skilled
and wise people lost a chance to serve the society at any position. This had created
a leadership crisis and the Oromos of Harerghe lost their common strength. Up
on the arrival of foreign invaders, their ancient and democratic administrative
system totally collapsed.
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Written by Afendi Muteki
January 15, 2013
January 15, 2013
Harar, East Ethiopia
