Abstract:
This thesis is concerned with A History of Agarfa district1941 -2000. The main purpose of this
study is to examine the political, economic and social developments in the district from the
restoration of the monarchy to the fall of derg regime. The data obtained from archival source,
secondary written sources and oral informants were used in writing this thesis. Before
incorporation the Oromo of Bale in the district of Agarfa were administered by the gada system.
.pastoralism was the main economic activity of the people and land was maintained as a
common property of members of the gosa. The people of district were the first victim of the war
carried to incorporate the province of Bale to the Ethiopian empire state. The Oromo of Bale in
the district faced political and economic oppression under gäbbar-näfţäña system. The Italian
occupation of the district resulted in the abolition of the gäbbar-näfţäña system and the military
camp established by Italians laid basis for the foundation of Agarfa town. The introduction of
new land tenure, land measurement and taxation resulted in the eviction of the peasants from
their lands under the pretext of tax default. The land reform issued by the military government of
derg relieved the peasants from the terms of tenancy while whilevillagization and the
establishment of producers’ cooperatives negatively affected the productivity of the peasants.
