SUMMARY
The Gedeo (also known as Darassa) is an ethnic group made up of roughly one million people, located in southern Ethiopia. Historically, the Gedeo were confined to the upper reaches of the eastern escarpment of the Rift Valley, but in the early 20th century the group started to expand its territory towards the lowlands to the south and east. Today, a majority of the Gedeo inhabit the Gedeo zone, which is located in the SNNP (Southern Nationalities Nations and People’s) region, but some 300 000 reside in Oromiya region, particularly in present-day Guji and Borana zones.
Up until the late 19th century, the Gedeo functioned as its own autonomous state. However, when the steady expansion of the Ethiopian empire reached the Gedeo areas, the group could not withstand the Imperial army, and by 1895, the last resistance had been subdued. As with many other groups in the outer regions of the empire, the Gedeo was subsequently forced into a feudal social structure, where soldiers and northern settlers had the right to claim both land and labour from the group and where the group’s traditional leaders lost most of their power. Furthermore, the group was systematically forbidden to practise its indigenous religion, under which the Gedeo believed in “Mageno”, the “one Supreme Being”. It was tradition that Orthodox priests followed the Imperial army during conquests, preaching peace, harmony and submission. The resentment this created is indicated by the fact that quite a large number of Gedeos instead embraced the protestant church when it was introduced in Gedeoland in the 1950s. Today, around 43% of the group is Protestants, whereas some 25% still adhere to the traditional religion. The remaining roughly 30% is Orthodox Christians or Muslims.
Like many of their neighbouring groups, the Gedeo’s social structure is based on the so-called Gada system. Under the Gedeo version of this system, all men pass through eight Gada grades during their lives. The different grades are between eight and ten years and each grade brings along a specific set of duties and benefits. The most important grade is called Luba, which is the grade in power, among which the Abba Gada – the traditional leader – is recruited. While this structure has declined, it is still present among the Gedeo and the position of Abba Gada still exists, albeit not involving any political power. Aside from the traditional authorities, the present-day Gedeo can be seen to be led by the political cadres and administration officials in Gedeo zone.
The Gedeo have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.
