By Dhabessa Wakjira

SHAGGAR, Oromia — In a ceremony rich with cultural significance and democratic symbolism, the Gadaa system has been formally revived in Gafarsa Gujee District of Shaggar City Administration, with nine Gadaa leaders (Abbootii Gadaa) inaugurated in a peaceful transfer of power that reaffirms one of Africa’s oldest democratic traditions.

A Democratic Heritage Reclaimed

The Gadaa system, described in the announcement as “a democratic governance system through which the Oromo people govern themselves and a foundation for modern democracy worldwide,” has been a central pillar of Oromo identity for centuries. The system regulates political, economic, and social life through a rotating leadership structure that ensures accountability, balance, and the peaceful transfer of power.

In Shaggar City Administration, efforts are underway to revitalize the cultural heritage and identity of the Oromo people, which had been systematically marginalized under previous administrative arrangements. The Tuulama Oromo community has been actively supporting the completion of the Gadaa power transfer through peaceful and orderly means, in accordance with the traditions of the system.

The Ceremony in Gafarsa Gujee

The inauguration ceremony, held in Gafarsa Gujee District, was attended by Gadaa leaders, Haadholii Siinqee (women elders), and members of the community. The Gadaa Muudanaa—the incoming Gadaa leadership—formally assumed power from the outgoing Gadaa Meelbaa, marking the completion of the transition cycle.

Abbaa Gadaa Tuulamaa Geetuu Taliilaa addressed the gathering, emphasizing that the Oromo people govern themselves through the Gadaa system by transferring authority peacefully and in accordance with tradition. The Gadaa Muudanaa leaders confirmed that they have assumed authority from Gadaa Meelbaa and are now organizing their structures.

The nine newly inaugurated Gadaa leaders were entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and strengthening Oromo culture and traditions during their term, and of passing this heritage on to future generations.

A Model of True Democracy

Injiinar Yirdaaw Nagaash, the administrator of Gafarsa Gujee District, praised the revival of the Gadaa system as a demonstration of the Oromo people’s commitment to genuine democracy based on social equality. He stated that the Oromo people governing themselves through Gadaa serves as a model for the world and a testament to the greatness of the Oromo nation.

The administrator also noted that the Oromia Regional Government has been working with a focus on cultural renewal and the promotion of Oromo culture and traditions. He called on various stakeholders to support efforts to elevate and showcase the culture and traditions of the Oromo people.

A Living Tradition

The revival of Gadaa in Shaggar is part of a broader movement across Oromia to reclaim and revitalize indigenous governance systems that were suppressed under centralized rule. The Gadaa system, inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016, is recognized globally as a sophisticated democratic framework that predates many modern democratic institutions.

The inauguration of nine Gadaa leaders in Gafarsa Gujee is not merely a ceremonial event. It is a statement that the Oromo people’s democratic traditions are alive, that their cultural identity is being restored, and that the peaceful transfer of power—the hallmark of true democracy—is being practiced according to the wisdom of their ancestors.

Source: ENA (Ethiopian News Agency), Shaggar City Administration Communications