Oromo People’s Culture of Peace: The Gadaa System in Focus

Cooperating countries: Ethiopia and Austria

Coordinating institution: Haramaya University, Gutema Imana Keno, gimanake@yahoo.com

Partner institution: University of Innsbruck

Project duration: 1 August 2024 - 31 July 2026

Abstract: 

The main aim of this project is to appraise Gadaa – its practice, laws, and values – as a vernacular culture of peace that has only received scant attention in the field of Peace and  Conflict Studies. Gadaa is an endogenous Oromo democratic system of governance which has been in use for centuries, and was recently recognized by UNESCO on December 6, 2016 as intangible world’s heritage. The research will employ a qualitative research design whereby data will be obtained through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, document review, and non-participant observation, and analyzed through the use of MAXQDA in the context of relevant scholarly literature. The output of this research will include a completed research report, two scientific articles, and policy briefs. The results of the research  will  be presented at the international conference on “The Role of Higher Education in Peacebuilding” to be held in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2025. Furthermore, seminars will be provided to concerned bodies/communities based on the results of the research project. Briefings will also be provided to media outlets locally, nationally, and possibly internationally.