The Changing Trends in Bride Wealth (Gabbara) Among Arsi Oromo: The Case of Negele Arsi District

Abstract

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.