Description and Documentation of Traditinal Dress : the Case of Arsi Oromo
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Date
2016-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This dissertation investigated traditional dress of Arsi Oromo focusing on identification of dress
types with age, gender and status. Though various research works were conducted on the history
and culture of Oromo people, the focus of those works on documentation was limited. Therefore,
this study was designed to describe and document traditional dress among Arsi Oromo. The
study drew on qualitative research approach mainly ethnographic research. Purposive sampling
technique was employed to select three districts of West Arsi zone namely Kokosa, Kofele and
Adaba. consultants were also selected using purposive and snowball sapling. Observation,
interview and focus group discussion were the major tools of generating primary data.
Secondary sources related to the topic of the study were thoroughly reviewed to bridge the
existing knowledge gap. Also, modern multimedia technologies and apparatuses were utilized to
digitally record and analyze visual images of vernacular dress types.
The findings of the study indicated that Arsi Oromo traditional dress is gender specific. It was
found that in addition to their function as utility or ornamentation, traditional dresses serve as
sacred objects, status indicators and identity markers in general. The findings also demonstrate
that there is a change and continuation in the use and functions of traditional dress among the
people. Currently, traditional dress is limited to the age groups, on average 35 and above years
of age. The dressing style of children and the young generation under these age groups are fast
changing due to various of reasons such as formal education, access to the urban life, and
influences of religion The findings further revealed that despite changing perceptions and flavor
of the young generation in favor of modern dresses, folk tradition, particularly, oral literature
plays an important role in the preservation of traditional dress. There are oral narratives, stories
and plays which appreciate indigenous culture and teach the youth to uphold tradition,
particularly material cultures. There is also an individual effort made to preserve traditional
dress. Moreover, there are cultural groups of females such as ‘siinqee’ group who try to
preserve traditional clothes and jewelries by making and decorating those traditional dresses.
The findings suggest that it is very important to preserve traditional clothes whose uses are
currently declining and, in some places, vanishing due to multiple factors. In this regard, though
there are limited and sporadic activities performed by the zone as well as district level tourism
and culture bureaus, still individual efforts predominate. Therefore, it was recommended that
concerned bodies should take part in teaching people, particularly the youth, about the cultural
significance of traditional dress and the need for its preservatation.
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Keywords
Traditinal Dress