'God speak to us': performing power and authority in Salale, Ethiopia

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Periodical article

Title:	'God speak to us': performing power and authority in Salale, Ethiopia
Author:	Dibaba, Assefa Tefera
Year:	2014
Periodical:	Journal of African Cultural Studies (ISSN 1369-6815)
Volume:	26
Issue:	3
Pages:	287-302
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ethiopia
Subjects:	Oromo folklore ethnic identity resistance
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1080/13696815.2014.901165
Abstract:	In the present study the author examines Salale Oromo traditional legal performances as 'narratives of resistance' against domination. Through the three 'theopolitical' counter-discourses identified in this study, that is, 'guma' (blood feud), 'araara' (peace-making), and 'waadaa' (covenant), the interaction between 'theos' (god) and 'politics' is apparent. Hence, the oath 'God speak to us' expresses a belief that 'nagaa' (peace) is a presupposed will of God that humanity is privileged and obliged to guard. The study concludes that such oppositional traditional practices constitute the Salale cultural resistance against the mainstream culture and offer more hope for challenging the dominant social discourse and constructing a strong sense of 'Oromummaa', that is, 'Oromoness'. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]