Abstract:
The dif erent ethnic groups in Ethiopia have developed their own traditional resolution
mechanisms to deal with conflicts. The Hadiya of Southern Ethiopia are among those ethnic
groups with their own conflict resolution mechanisms. The objective of this research is to assess
the experience of Hadiya in addressing Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanisms the case of
Xiigi-Guullaa among the Hadiya, by describing a indigenous institutional structure for resolving
Conflict among the members of society. The study has employed a qualitative research to meet
the stated objectives. To achieve the above objectives, primary data were collected from dif erent
informants in Hadiya zone Lemo woreda and Gombora Worede by employ through qualitative
data collection tools such as interview,observations, focus group discussions, and case study. The total participants (in KII and FGD)of this research were 48 participated. The secondary
data sources were obtained from published and unpublished documents; such as books ,journals, and dif erent findings of researches. The findings of this research reveals that the Indigenous
conflict resolution particularly Xiigi-Guullaa is one of the ways to resolve homicide conflict in
the study area.The study also come up with the major causes of conflict in the study and the
traditional means to resolve them through the Hadiyyi seera institution such as Minee, (family)
Nafara(Neighbors) Moollo (kinship), Sullo (clan) Giichcho (sub ethnic group) and Giira
( Nation level of Hadiya People ). The major causes that drive people of the study area in to
conflict are excessive alcohol usage, insult, theft, conflict over farm land boundary, conflict
over the violation of informal agreement family related conflict, abduction, adultery, revenge
and murder. The investigation processes in Hadiyyi seera are eye wittiness or naqaasha, oath
taking or hidiro and heemacha-qasimma. This research also expose the role of women in
traditional conflict resolution. It also came up with the relationship that exist between ICRM
and the formal court system (FCS) in resolving conflict and keeping the societies peace and
security. Traditional conflict resolution mechanism primarily focuses on providing conflict
resolution services to local communities based on long term and sustainable outcomes.
