JOS volume 14 Number 1 (2007).pdf - Oromo Studies Association

On the Oromo
Humboldt informs us that the Indians or natives of
America have a very complicated type ofgovernment In fact,
it seems that the hordes, at first wandering, were composed of
ill-formed elements and very jealous of their liberty. They believed
they could resolve the problem of a common action
only by employing several formalities to assure a good choice
of their chiefs. It is the same with the aroma. Their government
is an oligarchy (a government in which a small group
exercises control) resembling at a distance the former Venice.
In that famous republic, we know that numerous processes
must be set in motion in order to arrive at a nomination of a
doge 4 In Eastern Africa, they have established rules at least as
complex as these and, in spite of a long inquiry, I do not flatter
myself of knowing them all, because the elder aroma contradicted
themselves from time to time in this regard
According to tradition, Makko Bili, (who belonged to the
fifth generation of Maea), is the Aftican Lycurgus' who, about
the year 1589, divided all the aroma into ten classes of Gada
which they further grouped into five pairs of two (Table 2).
Table 2
aroma Gada classes
1 2 3 4 5
Birmaji Malba Mudana Robale Dulo
Aldada Horata Bifole Sabaga Kilole
The names of tbese five pairs, sanctioned by divine will
according to the aroma, are not derived hom the five sons
of Maea, but from five natural governments: first that of
men and reason; second that of flowing water or progress;
third that of sheep or quietude; fourth that of lion which
represents strength; and finally fifth the government of
vulture which presides over pillage.
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