Abstract:
This article draws attention to the Borana Oromo gadaa system as an Indigenous federation. Gadaa is an
Indigenous democratic political system used by the Oromo in which leaders are elected and their term in
office is strictly fixed. Data for this research were generated through interviews, observations, and focus group
discussions. The findings of this research indicate that the Borana have three gadaa councils at two levels: one
at the center for the entire Borana and two named after two Borana clans. The later have relative autonomy
under the cardinal law of the Borana gadaa. This structure has been serving as a means of managing conflict,
maintaining internal unity, and ensuring better governance and power devolution. Finally, suggestions are
made on how to support Indigenous governance systems, which in this case includes acknowledging the
values and principles of the gadaa system, as well as designing a legal framework that retains and protects the
integrity and legitimacy of the system.
