By Afendi Muteki
The congress of “Caffee Gadaa” assembly, called “Kora Gadaa” or “Yaa’ii Gadaa”, which was held at Oda Bultum would be undertaken for eight consecutive days and it had been attended by delegates kwon as “luba”. Each “luba” must be at least forty years of age and he would be elected by a local assembly of sub-clan. Then all “lubas” serve as delegates that would gather at Oda Bultum and elect the future leaders. The congress was hosted by a group of appointed deputies which was lead by “Abbaa Caffee”. The “lubas” would stay in eight huts made from hay. (The “number eight” indicates the eight years of one cycle of “Gadaa”).
Under the instruction of “Abba Caffee” the “lubas” would elect “Abba Gadaa” who would be the future ceremonial head of state. Under “Abbaa Gadaa”s moderation and the participation of every “luba”, the assembly would evaluate the pervious performance of the administration and issue new laws and make strategic decisions. At the end of the congress, the assembly would form a new administration through democratic election. The election criteria were bravery, oratory skill, knowhow of the society’s norms and customs, good discipline, good health etc… (Handicapped people wouldn’t be elected). On the whole, all nominees must had passed through the five cycles of “Gadaa”; that is, they must be of 40 years of age but under 48 years.
The assembly would elect six people who would fill the administration. The six people would be led by “Abbaa Bokkuu” (the president) who was the head of the government; the other five would be members of his cabinet and each of them had ministerial position. The five ministers were called “Abbaa Biyyaa” (which was roughly equal to Minister of Land or Administrative Affairs), “Abbaa Duulaa” Minister of War), “Abbaa Horii” ( Minister of Economy), “Abbaa Seeraa” ( Minister of Justice) and “Abbaa Diidaa” ( Minister of Transport and Foreign Affairs). Generally, the five ministers were called “Shanan Gadaa”. The office of the governor (president) was known as “Mana Bokkuu” (House of the President). It was these two houses (Shanan Gadaa and Mana Bokkuu) that would run the day to day administrative affairs of the state in the forthcoming eight years.
In all of its activities, the administrative body was supported by a council called “Mana Hayyuu” which was filled by a group of skilled and scholarly individuals known as “Hayyuu”. These “Hayyuus” were usually people who reached the age of “Gada Moojjii” (meaning “retired from Gadaa” or “retired from administrative age”). They do not only bring wisdom enriched though age and experience but also, having retired from political affairs, they would provide impartial advice to the active executives. “Hayyuu” can be re-elected but “Abbaa Bokkoo” and the five ministers (“Shanan Gadaa”) serve only one term.
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The laws and rules issued at Oda Bultum would be ratified at “Garbii Darrabbaa”, a place located at two Kms north of Oda Bultum. There, a congress of lawyers would study the laws and strategies issued by “Caffee Gadaa” assembly on the constitutional basis; unconstitutional law would be called “Heer malee” and rejected, and the constitutional laws would be accepted as the working directive of the state. The member of “Garbii Darrabbaa” congress would be called “Abbaa Heeraa” and he was also elected by lower (local) assembly. A man who was elected as “Abbaa Heeraa” would be called by this title until the end of his life. (Note: “Abbaa Seeraa” is different from “Abbaa Heeraa”. The former was “Minister of Justice; the later was member of the law making congress. In modern term, we may call the latter one “congressman”).
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It is also noteworthy to mention “Raabaa Dorii” which was the “Council of Defense”. This council runs the military affairs of the state and it was led by “Abbaa Dulaa” (Minister of War). Military campaigns and defense programs would be implemented only after they have got good support by the “Raabaa Dorii”. On the other hand, the budget of the army and mandatory military service programs would be decided by this military council.
The army was called “Raayyaa”. The most trained and best equipped section of “Rayyaa” was known as “Qeeyroo” or “Qeerroo” (to mean “fierce and fast as leopard”). According to the information obtained from different sources, the chain of command of the army looks like the following.
The smallest unite of the army had nine personnel and it was called “Saglii” /Seylii. Each “Seylii” was commanded by “Abbaa Seylii”.
Three “Seylii” form “Muraasa” which was led by “Abbaa Muraasaa”.
Three “Muraasaa” form “Buttaa” and it was led by “Abbaa Buttaa”
Three “Buttaa” form “Cibraa” (Cifraa) and this was commanded by “Abbaa Cibraa”
Three “Cibraa” form “Gubbaa” and this was led by “Abbaa Gubbaa”
Three “Gubbaa” form “Hoomaa” and this was “lead” by “Bobbaasaa”
Three “Hoomaa” form “Raayyaa” which was commanded by “Abbaa Duulaa”.
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In the latter half of 19th century the power of “Mana Bokkuu” and “Shanan Gadaa” offices shrunk while the “Raabaa Dorii” became the most powerful body in the state. The “Abbaa Duulaa” started to exercise full authority over the state. On the other hand, wealth became the most important criteria to be elected as a leader. Skilled and wise people lost a chance to serve the society at any position. This had created a leadership crisis and the Oromos of Harerghe lost their common strength. Up on the arrival of foreign invaders, their ancient and democratic administrative system totally collapsed.
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Written by Afendi Muteki
January 15, 2013
Harar, East Oromia
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