UNESCO: Gada system, an indigenous democratic socio-political system of the Oromo

Subject: Regarding Sending to you a petition by the Oromo people for the inscription of the Gada System on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

The people of Oromo have a n extensive and very rich culture and tradition wh ich have been accumulated for centuries and have been h anded down from generation to generation as a source of pride of the people. The culture of the people is deeply rooted in the Gada system which is a democratic political, economic and social system. The Gada system is a democratic system th at has been shaping and guiding the lives, mode of governance, socio-economic conditions, philosophical outlooks, etc., and which has enabled to ensure unity and solidarity of among the people as well as the practice of peaceful conflict resolution strategies.

The Gada system has been governing the direction and day-to-day lives of the people since the time when the people of Oromo were governing themselves independently. Presently too, the Gada system plays considerable role in guiding the political and socio-economic functions of the people. The system is structured in such a way that power is shared among different bodies to ensure check and balance. This confirms that the system is based upon the principles of equality among mankind (respecting the rights of women and children as well as outsiders. During the period when a party stays on power, it is bound by the principle of rule of law. Moreover, transfer of power is made smoothly and peacefully among parties.

The culture of the Oromo people with regard to equality and democracy remains an exemplary one to the remaining world. Thus, we hereby express that the signatures for the petition are attached here in and that Oromo people ardently upholds the inscription of the Gada system on the Representative List as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity which would demonstrate to the rest of the world that our country Ethiopia is not only the cradle of mankind but also the mother of an age-old democratic system.

With regards,
Signed and sealed
Geetuu Wayyeessaa Tolaa
Head of Oromiya Regional State Culture and Tourism Bureau

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