In March 2025, thousands of people gathered in southern Ethiopia to celebrate the Gadaa ceremony, a significant cultural event held every eight years. This ceremony marks the peaceful transfer of power within the Borana community, representing a key tradition rooted in unity and democracy.
The Gadaa (gah-dah) system is a centuries-old democratic tradition uniting the Oromo and Borana communities in Ethiopia and Kenya. These Cushitic-speaking groups share ancestral roots and are among the largest ethnic groups in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to a Borana elder, the inauguration of the Gadaa leader is preceded by a week of celebrations, including elders and youth performing traditional dances. During this time, a legislative group updates laws, creates new ones, and resolves issues like marriage and clan disputes through a consensus-based, democratic process. On the transfer day, the incoming leader arrives with a delegation of eight representatives, symbolizing their clans. At the ceremony, the outgoing leader formally asks if the new leader is ready to take on the role, which he accepts, acknowledging the former leader will serve as an advisor. A symbolic feather is then transferred from the outgoing to the new leader, marking the official transfer of power. This process highlights the deep traditions and structure of the Gadaa system.
The Gadaa system is a unique form of democracy and cultural heritage celebrated through a vibrant festival. Married women lead a procession with symbolic wooden batons called “siinqee,” used to promote peace during conflicts. Younger women join the parade, distinguished by different clothing colors. While women cannot hold top positions in this pastoralist society, they play crucial roles in the festival, building accommodations and preparing food. However, the Gadaa system allows women to participate in community meetings and voice their opinions. Boys are initiated into the system at a young age, learning history, laws, and leadership skills, starting as early as eight. They are later tested through physical challenges and acts of kindness, with older initiates identified by ostrich feather decorations. The festival is both a cultural celebration and a time to prepare the next generation of leaders.
The 72nd Abbaa Gadaa, now 37, was chosen for his leadership potential recognized in his teenage years. He’ll lead the Borana people in southern Ethiopia and northwestern Kenya, handling disputes like cattle-raiding and water access. While he serves an eight-year term, his successor will finish his training to carry on this long-standing tradition.
