https://repository.ju.edu.et//handle/123456789/6330 Mon, 11 May 2026 17:33:41 GMT 2026-05-11T17:33:41Z https://repository.ju.edu.et//handle/123456789/7806 Marriage Practices and the Status of Women among the Bench, Southwest Ethiopia Netsanet Tadesse; Dejene Teshome; Zerihun Mekuria This research aims to investigate marriage practices and the status of women among the Bench, southwest Ethiopia. The study identifies types of customary marriages in relation to women status, examines bride-wealth practices in relation with women status and describes marriage ceremony. This study has mainly focused on south Bench Woreda. In this study qualitative approach and ethnographic design was employed. Both primary and secondary data sources were used. I collected primary data through key informant interview, observation, in-depth interview and focus group discussion. The informants were purposively selected. Secondary data were also collected from published and unpublished documents. Thematic data analysis was employed. As the findings of the study show marriage among the Bench is secular. Polygamy is culturally acceptable marriage. The Bench practices five types of marriage, which include: Elope marriage (Garska hame) which is the most common type of marriage among the Bench, followed by Widow Inheritance marriage (Barz), Arranged marriage (Purn donta), marriage by Abduction (Gocha hame) and Replacement marriage (Qoxe). Each types of marriage have differently linked with women status. The Abduction, Widow Inheritance and Replacement marriage have influence on women than Elope and Arranged marriage. The bridewealth is central part of marriage in the society. It has positive impact on sustainability and reorganization of the marriage. Bride-wealth is not given for all types of marriage. Wedding ceremonies are different based on the types of marriage. Commonly the Bench concludes their marriage based on customary law of the community. Sat, 01 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.ju.edu.et//handle/123456789/7806 2020-02-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.ju.edu.et//handle/123456789/6589 The Roles of Traditional Beliefs in the Conservation of Forest: The Case of Kaffa, Southwest Ethiopia Gellila Habtemariam; Jira Mekonnen; Zerihun Mekuria This study was designed to investigate the role of traditional beliefs and the indigenous intangible ritual practices in forest resource management and conservation among the Kafficho people who live in Southwestern Ethiopia. The study has focused on traditional beliefs in Addiyo and Tello districts. The reason for the selection of the above sites is based on the availability of ritual practices and personal experiences of the researcher. An ethnographic research design was employed in the study. The data were collected through interviews from the purposively selected spiritual leaders, culture and tourism experts and community elders. In addition to this, sacred and preserved forests were observed to collect data. The major findings of the research indicated that the role of the traditional beliefs and ritual practices like Qoollee Deejjoo (thanks giving) and Baaree Qoco (commemorating one‟s father or grandfather‟s belief or practice) are ceremonies that performed for giving special thanks to forest spirit . The fact that the above ritual practices are performed in the forest indicates the long history of the society to protect the forest and the surrounding environment. Based on the research, there are changes and challenges in the role of traditional beliefs in relation to forest management. These challenges includes reduction in the number of participants, the declining interest of traditional wisdom, the expansion and spread of Christianity and disempowerment of local cultural practices, clearances of sacred forests for different purposes like agriculture, searching place for settlement in case of high population growth and overgrazing. However, the capacity of traditional beliefs for forest conservation and environmental protection remain poorly under stood, largely unappreciated and undervalued by policy makers and concerned bodies. By seen the result the study recommends attention should be given by policy makers and concerned bodies for the involvement and contribution of traditional beliefs for forest resource management. Mon, 06 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.ju.edu.et//handle/123456789/6589 2021-09-06T00:00:00Z https://repository.ju.edu.et//handle/123456789/6551 The Changing Trends in Bride Wealth (Gabbara) Among Arsi Oromo: The Case of Negele Arsi District Habtamu Derbe; Zerihun Mekuria; Dejene Gemechu The gift of bride wealth or gabbara is an important element of marriage among the Negele Arsi Oromo. While the functions and meanings attached to the practice are constantly changing over time. The aim of this study was to describe the changing trend in bride wealth or gabbara among the Negele Arsi Oromo; specifically, to describe the former gabbara gift; its customary value, the current gift and its implication on unmarried youths, newly married couples, their parents, community, marital stability and the initiatives undertaken to address the issue. To attain the objectives an ethnographic design and purposive sampling technique was employed. Accordingly, I conducted 16 semi-structured in-depth interviews, 13 key informant interviews, 4 Focus Group Discussions (32 participants), and participant observation. The necessary data was analyzed using thematic analysis through description under their main themes. The finding of the study shows gabbara is playing a crucial role in providing solidarity, mutual respect among the bride’s family and the son-in-law and marital stability. However, currently it seems to have lost its original symbolic meaning; it has increasingly become causes of disagreement, disrespect, poverty; marital dissolution. The study also shows the ever-increasing gift results an increase in women migration, cohabitation, abortion and related problems; women’s domestic violence due to impoverishment and marital instability among the spouses. In response, the community in cooperation with concerned offices and stakeholders planned to address the problem. Yet the problem is persisting. From these findings it was concluded that gabbara currently affecting the life of youths, couples, their parents; the wider community. Mon, 06 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.ju.edu.et//handle/123456789/6551 2021-09-06T00:00:00Z https://repository.ju.edu.et//handle/123456789/6536 Indigenous Herbal Medicinal Knowledge and Healing Practices: The Case of Setema District in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Dinberu Teshome Mamo; Dejene Teshome; Tegen Dereje Ethiopia is a home of many ethnic groups, cultures, and beliefs which in turn have contributed to the high diversity of indigenous health care knowledge and practices. Oromo people have used indigenous herbal medicine for a long period facing health problems of the societies. Societies are using indigenous medicine by preparing from different plants found in their surroundings. The aim of the present study was to investigate and analyze the indigenous herbal medicinal knowledge, beliefs, and healing practices in the Jimma zone, Setema district. Secondary data were reviewed for the conceptual framework. The primary data were gathered through observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussion and the Woreda’s Indigenous Herbal medicinal Knowledge and healing practices were qualitatively analyzed. Fieldwork was conducted between February and March 2020.The source of knowledge of these indigenous medicines was originated from the grandparents and holy Quran. Most of the time the modern health institutions (clinic, pharmacy, and hospitals) refer to indigenous healers for diseases like hemorrhoid tumors and evil sprite. Societies have high respect for indigenous medicines. The indigenous medicine administration is: drenching(drinking), chewing or eating, putting the drugs on the head with other additives like butter, topical application of the drug on the part, tying the drug on diseased part of the body, or some of the drugs are used as smoke or direct smoking. The process of the treatment is first identifying the symptoms, like itching, high pain, bleeding on the area (anal part), by using cotton the drug will be applied for three to four days. Prepare indigenous medicine from plants’ stem, leaves, roots, and plant oil Used to treat diseases like blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer, to treat feet fungus, to treat eye, ear, uterine disease, syphilis, hemorrhage, skin diseases, rabies, and other diseases. The dose given to the patient was based on the age of the patient and given based on a small spoonful or large spoon. Therefore, People use both indigenous medicine and Biomedicine to alleviate their health problems. Indigenous medicines were highly supported in the study area due to religious, economic social factors. There are varieties of indigenous knowledge and a variety of indigenous medicinal plants in the study area. Due to lack of capacity (workplace or land, capital, equipment or machine) and assistance given to them by local Government attention and assistance provided to them was very weak. The responsiveness of the local administrators was very weak in terms of legal issues for the certificate, and workplace. Wed, 06 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.ju.edu.et//handle/123456789/6536 2021-01-06T00:00:00Z