Irra Dhaaba: A Customary Marriage among the Gelan Oromo of Caaffee Tumaa in Adaaa District, East Shewa, Ethiopia
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Date
2016-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis aims to explain the Irra Dhaaba customary marriage among the Gelan Oromo of Caffee Tumaa woreda. There are various forms of customary marriage practices in Caffee Tumaa woreda such as Irra Dhaaba, Rakoo, Hawwata, Butii, and Dhaala. However, this study has mainly focused on Irra Dhaaba customary marriage among the communities of Caffee Tumaa.
The study also explores different type of marriage practices, which are generally divided in to formally concluded and informally concluded customary marriage among the Caffee Tumaa Oromo. The formal concluded marriage is given strong considerations and it is recognized as the best mode of concluding marriage. Formerly the arrangement of marriage was established by the families of the future spouses. Nowadays, the formality of concluding marriage through this arrangement has changed from time to time. It has become the boy who in most cases selects the girl of his choice.
Informal concluding customary marriage also takes place among the Caffee Tumaa Oromo communities. These forms of marriage arrangements are made due to various cases. Even though some of these types of marriages including Irra Dhaaba have been considered by the society as being against customary law of the Oromo, they are still practicing by the Oromo communities of Caffee Tumaa.
This study employed both primary and secondary resources. The relevant primary data were collected through qualitative strategies such as interview, Focus group discussion and selected case studies. The secondary data were published and unpublished articles, journals, books and MA thesis.
Irra Dhaaba is incidental customary marriage which is practiced in a hurry. This form of customarily concluded marriage is practiced only among the Oromo communities. The distinguished feature of this customary marriage is that the girl and her parents do not have any prior knowledge until the boy accompanied by a group of men of different social classes arrive at the gate of the girl‟s parent. The reasons why a man engages in to Irra Dhaaba customary marriage practice are social, economic, age, divorce or death and failed abductions in Caaffee Tumaa Oromo community of Gelan zone.
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When we look at Irra Dhaaba marriage practice, it has both positive and negative consequences. This is because the family is forced to enter into relationship without consent. The main implication of this type of marriage is socio-cultural and emotional consequences. In a place where this study was made, its continuity and frequency is limited.
The study thus gives description on how the Oromo in general and Caffee Tumaa Oromo in particular practiced customary marriage especially Irra Dhaaba
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Social Anthropology