Study of Warra Elemo Qallu Institution: The Case oflnikka Elemo
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Historically, the subject of this study, the Qa/lu institution, was widely used among
the Oromo as important religious institution. Its significance as a religious
institution, however, declined through time as the 01'01110 started to adhere to Ilell'
forms of religious beliefs including Christianity and Islan1. Yet, the Qallu institution
didn't weather away from the Oromo sOCiO-cllltliral life. Though its religiolls
significance waned through time, it continued to survive in other dimensions, ./01'
instance, as a crucial institution for conflict resolution, magical healing and peace
building. It is these surviving dimensions of Qallu institutions and the ritllals
accompanying them, which became the concern of my study. In order to analyze the
dimensions of the Qallu and the accompanying rituals, I selected the Warra Elemo
Qallu institution in West Shewa, because this Qallu trad ition represents the most
untouched in terms of scholarly investigation. Of the Warra Elemo Qallu Intu itions
which are four in number, this research focuses on the Inikka Elemo Qallu Institlltion.
In order to obtain the necesswy data for my research. overwhelmingly I relied on
qualitative method of data gathering. The qualitative data gathering tools elllployed
in the study include interview, participant observation and focus group discussion.
Besides, photographic and video graphic methods were IIsed to capture the ritllal
performances, the scenes (selling!», and the participants. AI/ these were cormiJorated
by review of secondary sources.
The finding of this research is that Qa/lu as an institlltion among the Macha oj Wesl
Shewa is still a living institution. In spite of the fact that the people of the area
currently adhere to Christian religion, the Qallu still plays an important role in the
life of the society without, however, pretending to be a substitute for the two dominant
religions. The Qa/lus especially serve as key mediators in conflict and traditional
healers possessing extraordinary power.
The thesis is organized as fo llows: the 1'{ chapter deals with the proposal of the stlldy
and background. The second and third chapters are about the works of others that
are related to this culture, i.e., literature review and conceptualframe work. In this. it
is believed that sufficiently er:ough works have been assessed to serve the pllrpose
. Chapters four to six are the main body parts of the sludy. In these. the ritllal hOllses.
genealogy of the qallus, the rituals, and the social roles of the qallu have been
analyzed based on observations and interviews. Both methods were used to analyze
the above mentioned points parallel to one another.
The last chapter seven is devoted to summOfY, conclusion and Oromo glosswy. In
this, a trial was made to sum up important pOints and Ihe outcome of the study. The
qallu is the most important person in the society and his institution serves the society
at best. The religions part gives people spiritual sati!>jaction. The social roles
maintain peace among the society and the individuals. II Ilt'eserves Orolllll (,lIllttl'£'. It
may also bring unity among the Oromo. So, it may be concluded that it is 1I /il'ing
culture thai deserves to be maintained.
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Keywords
Philology