Some Aspects of Conflict and Conflict Resolution Among Waliso Oromo of Eastern Macha, With Particular Emphasis on the Guma
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2002-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The issue of conflict and conflict resolution are seldom handled in literature on Oromo. The present study aims at addressing this missing gap. It therefore, documents some aspects of conflict and conflict resolutions among the Waliso Oromo. The thesis explores some local institutions and practices of dealing with conflict with especial 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 century. Since the time of incorporation, especially since the 1930's enactment of criminal law of the Empire of Ethiopia, the Walis have dealt with dispute cases through two different administrations of justice. These are: the
government court and the traditional Oromo system of justice. The latter has undergone
considerable changes due to internal dynamics and external influences. However, basic
Oromo administration of justice is still persisting. Consequently, the majority of dispute cases
among the Waliso Oromo are handled at local level by local institutions, according to the
locally set laws. The data from this study clearly shows that there are various factors 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 court and vice- versa. An appeal to government court is mainly used to enforce their own value and justice system.
Paradoxically, the threat of government intervention facilitates resolution through local
institutions
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Social Anthropology