Some Aspects of Conflict and Conflict Resolution among Waliso Oromo of Eastern Macha, with Particular Emphasis on the Guma
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Date
2002-06
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AAU
Abstract
The is ue of connict and conni ct resolution are seldom handl ed in literature on Oromo. The
present study aims at addressing thi missing gap. It therefore, documents some aspects of
conflict and conni ct resolutions among the Wa liso Oromo. The thesis ex plores some loca l
institutions and practices of dea ling with connict with espec ial emphasis on the case of
homicide.
The Oromo In general and the Waliso in particular were incorporated into the present
Ethiopia by the last quarter of the nineteenth centu ry. Since the time of incorporation,
espec iall y since the 1930's enac tment of criminal law of the Empire of Ethiopia, the Wa liso
have dea lt with dispute cases through two di ffe rent administrations of justice. These are: the
government court and the lTad itional Oromo system of justice. The latter has undergone
considerable changes due to internal dynamics and external innuences. However, basic
Oromo administration of justice is still persisting. Consequently, the majori ty of dispute cases
among the Waliso Oromo are handled at loca l level by loca l insti tutions, according to the
locally set laws. The data from this study clearly shows that there are various fac tors that
produce this effect. As opposed to government court, Oromo institutions are highly value
oriented and embedded in the belief system. They are also capable of considering both the
social ties of the disputants and the context of the proceedings. In the mean time, the Waliso
make a tactical move from local mechanisms to government cOLlli and vice- versa. An appeal
to government court is mainly used to enfo rce their own value and justice system.
Paradoxically, the threat of government intervention fac ilitates resolution through local
institutions.