Degefa, Aberra (PhD)Gudina, Getachew2018-10-132023-11-082018-10-132023-11-082018-01http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/12641Constitution is the aspiration of people in which a given society’s way of life is determined and the whole political system is formulated. Constitution is not the act of the government. In a democratic society, it is an act of people in which it constitutes the government itself. But the study of Ethiopian constitutional or legal history shows that laws of the country are imported from other countries, which are alien to the Ethiopian people. This research paper tries to analyze Gadaa indigenous governance system which has been formulated and practiced by Oromo people, by comparing with modern democratic constitutional principles, elements and values. The researcher generated data for this paper from Borana Gadaa Oromo’s. The data was collected through observation and interviews from Borana during the celebration of the 71st ballii wal irra fudhuu (power transfer) of Borana Gadaa from February 28, 2017- March 07, 2017 in Borana zone Arero woreda. The research findings show that Gadaa Governance is an indigenous democratic Governance of Oromo people which accommodate basic modern democratic constitutional principles, elements and values. It was also found out that Gadaa incorporated neither in Ethiopian constitutional history at federal nor recently, in Oromia National Regional Government State Constitution, where Gadaa is exercised for centuries. Gadaa indigenous governance system is the reflection of values of Oromo society, which can serve the same purpose as modern democratic constitution. This study enhances Ethiopian constitutional research to analyze and have knowledge and practice about Gadaa indigenous governance system as it accommodates basic democratic constitutional elements, values and principles. It can also be a source for modern constitution of the country. Particularly in Oromia National Regional State, it can be used as an input to incorporate Gadaa governance system in the state constitution through amending of the recent constitution. Key words: Ingenious Governance, Gadaa System, Democracy, Democratic Constitutional Principles.enIngenious GovernanceGadaa SystemDemocracyDemocratic Constitutional PrinciplesThesis