Tag: Gadaa System

Time Frame 

• 1–2 class periods

 

Materials

• Green Card Voices – Mikyas Woldemichael’s video

• Appendix: Student Handouts

• Oromo Lesson Slides

 

Connections to the 7 Cs of Ethnic Studies

• Center: centering knowledge from Oromo community, elders, families, and lived experiences through the Gadaa system

• Conceptualize: visioning, futurisms, world-building, hope, healing, and collective possibilities for Oromo/Ethiopian youth

Instructions

 

Day 1 Warm-Up Question:

• Think about someone you look up to as a leader. What makes them a good leader? Write two to three sentences or draw a picture.

Ignite

• Have students Turn and Talk with a partner, answering the question below:

• What is a goal or hope that you have for the future? 

 

Chunk 1

• Introduce “What Is the Gadaa System?” to students and review (see attachment/appendix 1). 

• Have students complete the Ten Stages of the Gadaa System graphic organizer (see attachment/appendix 2).

 

Chunk 2

• Have students watch Mikyas Woldemichael’s video.

Exit Ticket

• Look at the Gadaa system stages. Which stage are you currently in? Write the stage’s name and one responsibility it entails.
  – I am currently in the ___ stage. One responsibility of this stage is ___.

 

Day 2 Warm-Up Question

• Think about Mikyas’s story. How did soccer help him heal and build a future? Write one to two sentences using what you remember from the video.

Chew

• After watching the video, have students complete a short writing prompt answering the following questions:

• Mikyas was thirty-two years old. Which stage in the Gadaa system represents him? How do you think he showed leadership? 

• Do you think soccer was important for Mikyas? How did it provide healing and future opportunities for his community? 

• What kind of leader do you want to be when you reach stage 5, Raaba Doorii (ages 32–40), in the Gadaa system?

 

Review

• Have students pair-share the following questions:

  • Which stage in the Gadaa system do kids your age fall under?

  • What are some responsibilities and expectations at this stage?

  • How is this similar or different to your own responsibilities and expectations in your culture?

Exit Ticket

• One thing I learned about the Gadaa system is ___. This connects to my own life because ___.

 

Multilingual and ELL Support

• Provide visuals (see slides/attachments).

• Provide graphic organizers as student handouts.

• Provide sentence stems for written work and verbal share-outs / small group discussions. 

 

Vocabulary and Definitions

• Gadaa system: traditional political and governance system of the Oromo people

• Abba Gadaa: the elected leader of the Oromo Gadaa system

• Qondaala: the fourth stage of the Oromo Gadaa system (ages twenty-four to thirty-two), in which young adults serve as warriors and protectors of the community through rigorous training in combat, sports, and swimming.

• Abba Duula: the father of war / commander in the Oromo Gadaa system

 

Resource List 

• • Dirrib Damisse, 2007 Sirna Gadaa

• The Oromo and the Christian Kingdom of Ethiopia, 1300–1700 by Mohammed Hassen

• Partisan Discourse and Authentic History by Tabor Wami

• Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Values and Principles (7 Cs) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cGOs7rsY9wT2qI-yIQh5dye8snRjGYxr/view 

 

 

Appendix 1: What Is the Gadaa System? (Student Handout)

 

What Is the Gadaa System?

Think of Gadaa as a “shadow”—it follows the Oromo people everywhere and covers every part of their lives. It is a democracy where power is shared, and everyone has a role based on their age. It is so unique that global experts and UNESCO recognize it as a masterpiece of human culture.

The Five Leaders (The Government)

The Gadaa system is organized into federations, each with a leader who has a specific job, similar to a president and their cabinet.

1. Abbaa Gadaa: the top leader (like a prime minister), who oversees the whole nation

2. Abbaa Duulaa: the head of defense, who looks after safety and the military

3. Abbaa Sa’aa: the head of the economy, who manages natural resources like coffee and farming

4. Abbaa Caffe: the chairman of Parliament, who helps make the laws

5. Abbaa Seeraa: the head of justice, who makes sure everyone follows the law

The Ten Stages of Life in the Gadaa System

Stage 1: Dabballee (Ages 0–8)

Children at this age are considered “pure” and close to God because they have no sin. Their main job is to learn through play, riddles, and proverbs. This strengthens their minds and helps them learn about their family and nature.

Stage 2: Ittimakoo (Ages 8–16)

In this stage, kids learn traditional games, dances, and songs. They start learning their family history (genealogy) and how to count. They focus on developing good character, such as patience and kindness.

Stage 3: Fools / Great Gaammee (Ages 16–24)

Think of this as the “college” phase. Young people learn how to farm, ride horses, and take care of cattle. They also begin to practice military skills and celebrate their culture through song.

Stage 4: Qondaala (Ages 24–32)

This is the defense stage. These young adults train hard in sports, swimming, and combat (like using spears and shields). Their main responsibility is to protect the Oromo people and their resources from enemies.

Stage 5: Raaba Doorii (Ages 32–40)

This is the stage where adults train for leadership. They learn about law, history, and how to run a government. They also take on personal responsibilities, like getting married and building a home, to show they can manage a family before they manage a country.

Stage 6: Gadaa / Abbaa Gadaa (Ages 40–48)

This is the ruling stage. After years of training, people are elected to lead. The Abbaa Gadaa is the top leader. They are responsible for the entire nation’s politics and military for an eight-year term.

Stage 7: First Yuuba (Ages 48–56)

After their eight-year term as leaders ends, people move into an advisory role. One highly respected person is chosen as the Abbaa Bokkuu (president) to oversee fair elections and represent the nation at big meetings (like the African Union).

Stage 8 and 9: Second and Third Yuuba (Ages 56–72)

During these stages, the elders are given the title Hayyuu (scholar/expert). Their job is to teach the younger generations about Oromo culture and administration. They also act as peacemakers to help settle arguments.

Stage 10: Fourth Yuuba / Gadaamojjii (Ages 72–80)

These elders are the “professors” of the community. They have a lifetime of knowledge and are highly respected for their wisdom. They spend their time teaching, praying, and improving the lives of their people.

 

Key Summary

• The Power of Eight: Each stage lasts exactly eight years.

• Democratic Transition: Power is always passed to the next group; no one stays in charge forever.

• Respect for Age: Every age group has a specific, important job that helps the whole community thrive.

Appendix 2: Ten Stages of the Gadaa System (Student Handout)

Complete the following graphic organizer on the ten stages of the Gadaa system. 

Stage	Age	Name	Draw a picture of the responsibilities that occur in this stage.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8–9
10