A word culture has a lot of different definitions. For some, it refers to an appreciation of good literature, music, art, and food. For others, it related to natural backgrounds and environment. The English Anthropologist Edward B. Tylor in his book, Primitive Culture, published in 1871. He defines culture as “that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by people as a member of society.” I agree with the way Tylor define culture.
Personally, both of my parents are from a similar background, they born and grow up in Oromia, Ethiopia. I am also growing and rise in Oromia, Ethiopia; some components promote our tradition and make up our family cultures, such as belief, custom, dressing and a verity of foods. Besides, law and administration also have a significant place in my lifestyle. “Gadaa system” is traditional social stratification and administration system that is well known in my culture. In Ethiopia, the majority who are coming from Oromo ethnics background like me mandatory pass through this cultural system. The Gadaa system is an indigenous open, democratic system trained among the Oromo nation of East Africa for the last six hundred years. As a system of governance, the Gadaa functions in stages (often ten stages with eight years separation). Unlike other, Western self-governing systems, the Gadaa system has five permanent political parties whose members assume leadership once every eight years. Within forty years, all five parties assist their nation organizing ‘One Gadaa.’ Back in 2003 G.C, I got a chance to attend a big ceremony of transferring power between Horata to Bichile party in Boku chitu, Ambo. The place where my grandparents, as well as all family by my father side, live on, and it made for me leisurely participate the whole session, moreover grasps knowledge and understand how depth cultural value for one specific community.
UNESCO: register Gadaa system, an indigenous democratic socio-political system of the Oromo Inscribed in 2016 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. As a family tradition, my elders teach me a lot of component of Gadaa system which preaches peace, finding the truth, equality, and peaceful power transfer because of this reason I call myself, I am the son of Abba Gadaa. Finally, I am interested in traveling and attending indigenous culture, ceremony as well as eager to know the driving knowledge behind every cultural institution. I am open to learning from my peer groups especially in my college. For this reason, I participated and took part representing my country in the international festival day on November 15, 2018, G.C prepared by FSCJ international club in downtown campus.
I like most where special ceremony or religious celebration takes place, those different age group of people adds the supplement to the tradition by wearing a unique cultural dress. In conclusion, Gadaa system and its components are my cultures and what i am trying to discuss in the beginning, let me ask you one question who are you? And in what way you understand the culture?
– Link for YouTube documentary about Gadaa system
Teloorma Blog 