The Role of Traditional Conflict Management Institution among the Aleltu Oromo Community: The Case of Jaarsa Biyyaa

Abstract

Conflict may virtually arise in any social setting. It is unavoidable in human society. A study of conflict and its traditional settlement mechanisms can contribute to the understanding of various norms, cultures and belief systems of a given society. African societies had developed their own traditional institutions that often deal with conflicts. In the light of that, elderly people are respected as trust worthy mediators. African traditional institutions maintain social balances and harmony basing on the true cultural perspective of the society. Like other traditional African countries, different ethnic groups in Ethiopia have developed and practiced their own customary codes and traditional institutions to manage conflicts. Among the different ethnic groups of Ethiopia, the Oromo as the major ethnic group in the country, with large number of population size and settlement area, hold variety of traditional knowledge and culture. Some scholars from social anthropology, sociology, history and other related fields have studied the social organization, conflict management, history and culture of the Oromo people. However, researches regarding conflict management mechanisms through traditional institutions and how this reflects the value systems of the Aleltu Oromo communities are limited. Therefore, researches on traditional conflict management mechanisms are relevant areas to be explored. This study is about the role of traditional conflict management institution among the Aleltu Oromo community, the case of Jarsumma institution. The objective of the study is to investigate the nature and types of conflicts, causes of conflicts and the role of Jarsumma institution tomanage conflicts in the study area. For this research, relevant data was collected through a combination of primary and secondary source of data. The primary sources include participant observation, key informant interview, in-depth personal interview, focus group discussions and case method. The collected data will be analyzed and interpreted; based on the analysis, summary and conclusion will be presented.