A History of Dodola District, 1910-1991
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Date
2015-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis reconstructs the administrative and socia-economic histOlY of Dodola warada from
1910-1991. The thesis covers the periodfrom the formation of Dodola as small village in 1910 to
the downfall of the military government in 1991.
The first chapter deals with the background of the Manda Arsi Drama people, the area and the
historical features of the population. The pre-existing egalitarian administration and social
values of the people are major components of this section.
The second chapter discussed the imperial incorporation a new form of administration which
was alien to the Arsi people. But gradually the people adapted themselves to this feudal mode of
administration. The formation of Dodola town as the administrative centre brought some
important change to the area. Dodola became one of the centers for Government administration
in the Gedab area.
The third chapter focused on the period of Italian occupation. The Italians occupied Dodola in
1937. They faced a lillie resistance from Ihe people. Fascist invaders at first exerted harsh
treatments but gradually followed a more "liberal" approach in Dodola. Dodola was one of the
rezidenza (districts) in Goba Commissariato (province). The Fascists were positive to the
Dramas but not 10 Ihe seUlers. However, Ihey could nol easily win the support ofthelocal people.
While Ihey were in Dodola the Italians gave special privileges to Muslims to gain support from
them. Finally faSC ist occupation to Dodola ended in 1941 and their collaborators (bandas) were
strongly blamed among the people for Iheir betrayal.
The fourth chapter mainly discussed the post-liberation period and the status of Dodola that
grew as warada and then the cenlre of Gannale awrajja. Hence, Dodola became a center for
those waradas in the Gedab area namely Adaba, Kokkosa, NamĀ·abo and Dodola itself. Although
different reforms were issued after 1941, the imperial rule in this period was still unjust to the
people. Thus, in Dodola land confiscation, the qiilad system, the increaSing taxation and the
external influence from the Somali Republic produced protest against the state in the
1960s.Hence, the Arsi Drama of Dodola were also active participants in the Bale peasant
rebellion.
Transition from feudal rule to the Ddrg regime benefited the local population in socia-economic
reforms. However the socialist political economy then systematically oppressed the people. The
cooperatives and then the abruptly launched Villagization program were oppressive policies
enacted by the Ddrg. Finally at the end of the last chapter I describe the events in Dodola
district and the town which accompanied the fall of the Darg regime and the establishment of
EPRDF rule in 1991.
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History of Dodola District