Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: The Case Of Xiigi-Guullaa among the Hadiya, Ethiopia

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 The secondary data sources were obtained from published and unpublished documents; such as books ,journals, and dif erent findings of researches.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.