Thousands of people traveled to the rural site of Arda Jila Badhasa in southern Ethiopia last week to witness one of the most significant cultural events of the Borana people—the Gada Ceremony. This centuries-old tradition, which concluded on Sunday, marks the peaceful transfer of leadership from one Abbaa Gadaa (customary leader) to another, a process that takes place every eight years.
For the Borana community, the Gada system is more than just a method of governance—it is a pillar of their identity, a deeply respected form of democracy that emphasizes unity, leadership, and cultural preservation. This year, the event saw attendees from across Ethiopia and beyond, including visitors from neighboring Kenya, where the Borana also have a strong presence.
A Celebration of Culture and Tradition
The Gada Ceremony is not just about leadership transition—it is also an opportunity for the Borana people to celebrate their cultural heritage. Different age groups within the community wear traditional attire, distinguishing their roles and ranks. One of the most striking spectacles occurs the day before the official handover when married women march in a grand procession, carrying wooden batons called “siinqee.”
These siinqee sticks hold deep symbolic meaning—if placed on the ground during a conflict, they command an immediate ceasefire out of respect. Younger women lead the procession, their clothing differentiating them from the married women, adding to the ceremony’s visual richness.
The Role of Women in the Gada System
While women cannot hold the title of Abbaa Gadaa, nor sit on the council of elders, their contributions remain vital. Throughout the week-long event, women build shelters for visitors and take on the responsibility of preparing food for the attendees. Additionally, the Gada governance system, which was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016, allows women to participate in community meetings where they can voice their concerns and influence decision-making.
A Rigorous Journey to Leadership
Membership in the Gada system is strictly patrilineal—only boys whose fathers are members can be initiated. Training begins early, often as young as eight years old, where initiates are educated on history, laws, rituals, and governance principles through oral tradition. As they grow, they are tested through physical endurance challenges, such as walking long distances barefoot, slaughtering cattle, and displaying kindness toward their peers.
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Throughout their training, young initiates wear distinctive cowrie-shell headpieces, a privilege shared only by elderly women, both of whom are revered within the community. Men aged between 28 and 32, identified by their ostrich feather adornments (known as “baalli” in Afaan Oromo), take part in the Gada ceremony as a learning experience, as it is already predetermined who among them will ascend to power in 2033.
A New Leader Takes the Helm
The most anticipated moment of the ceremony was the formal handover of power, as 48-year-old outgoing Abbaa Gadaa stepped down, passing the mantle to his younger successor. Among those present were dignitaries from Ethiopia and Kenya, including the governor of Kenya’s Marsabit County.
The new leader, 37-year-old Guyo Boru Guyo, was selected based on his exceptional leadership qualities, which were identified by the council of elders during his teenage years. Now serving as the 72nd Abbaa Gadaa, he assumes the responsibility of governing the Borana community across Ethiopia and Kenya, overseeing conflict resolution, and maintaining harmony within this pastoralist society.
His leadership comes at a crucial time, as disputes over water resources and cattle raiding remain pressing concerns in this drought-prone region. Over the next eight years, Guyo Boru Guyo will lead the Borana people, while his future successor undergoes rigorous training to continue this ancient governance system.
The Gada system stands as a testament to the resilience and unity of the Borana people, demonstrating how centuries-old traditions can continue to guide and strengthen communities in the modern era.
