Ethiopia’s Borana Community Celebrates Unique 8-year Leadership Tradition

Over the past week, several thousand people gathered in southern Ethiopia for the Gada ceremony, a historic event that marks the peaceful transfer of power among the Borana people every eight years. The new Abbaa Gadaa, Guyo Boru Guyo, was identified for his leadership potential during his teenage years and will now govern the Borana community across southern Ethiopia and north-western Kenya. While the Gada system excludes women from governance positions, it allows them to attend community meetings and register their opinions on issues. Beyond this, women play a key role in the festival as they build accommodation for visitors and prepare the food eaten during its duration. The event, which took place over a week, celebrates a centuries-old democratic governance model rooted in tradition.

Source: BBC