DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49272#0186
170
HARVARD AFRICAN STUDIES
The period of initiation of the dobbolle does not require special ceremonies, at least so
far as one can find out from the following text. On the other hand, the periods of initiation
of the qonddla and of the rdba each require four ceremonies, which must be completed one
in each of the four years corresponding to the first half of the period of qonddla and to the
whole period of rdba (which, as is known, is the first half of the period of luba). The four
ceremonies of the qonddla correspond each with one of the four ceremonies of the rdba.1
After each of the four ceremonies, the qonddla and the rdba proclaim a law, that is, pro-
nounce the formula of a Galla law which has reference to them. The four formulae of law
pronounced by the qonddla correspond each to one of the four formulae of law pronounced
by the rdba.2 The ceremonies must all be carried out on the plain outside the village where
the assembly meets. This information, received from Loransiyos to illustrate the follow-
ing text, is in two points (the four ceremonies and the four formulae of law of the qonddla)
in apparent contradiction to the text itself. (See, however, note 4 to text 4.) It is almost
unnecessary to point out the predominance of the number four in these ceremonies; it is
perhaps due to magic significance.
According to the different grades of initiation, the Galla have a different arrangement
of the hair. The dobbolle have their hair shaved off, except for curls which are gathered at
the back of the head. The qonddla let the hair grow without cutting and arrange it by
throwing it back. The rdba shave off the hair and make a tonsure on the top of the head.
The quid make an arrangement called gutu which consists of several tufts of hair inter-
woven and twisted around the back of the head.
The gdda are also the basis of the Galla calendar, the Galla counting by gada periods
as the Greeks did by Olympiads. The gdda whose members are luba (that is, the gdda
from which is chosen the Abba Bokku) gives its name to the period of eight years during
which its members remain luba and its Abba Bokku governs. But it must be kept in mind
that while he is in power, four other gdda are also in operation, so to speak; three as dob-
bolle and one as qonddla. Calling the ten gada by the first ten letters of the alphabet, for
a complete cycle (eighty years), there results this general arrangement (see Diagram II).
Circumcision is connected with the system of the gada, this being the ceremony with
which one passes from the third to the fourth degree of initiation, from rdba to gula. The
festival of the build is also allied to the system of the gdda, this being the last ceremony in
common of the second and third degrees of initiation, the qonddla and the rdba. The as-
sembly of the tribe is connected with the gdda, only those being able to take part in its
deliberations who have passed the second degree of initiation; that is, from the rdba on.
Only exceptionally are there admitted, as deliberating members, the qonddla who have
already completed the four ceremonies of their period. The assembly is presided over by
the Abba Bokku elected from among the members of the gdda which has reached the degree
of luba (third to fourth period of initiation). See text 5.
’ See text 4, note 19, and text 5, note 34.
2 See text 5, note 34.
HARVARD AFRICAN STUDIES
The period of initiation of the dobbolle does not require special ceremonies, at least so
far as one can find out from the following text. On the other hand, the periods of initiation
of the qonddla and of the rdba each require four ceremonies, which must be completed one
in each of the four years corresponding to the first half of the period of qonddla and to the
whole period of rdba (which, as is known, is the first half of the period of luba). The four
ceremonies of the qonddla correspond each with one of the four ceremonies of the rdba.1
After each of the four ceremonies, the qonddla and the rdba proclaim a law, that is, pro-
nounce the formula of a Galla law which has reference to them. The four formulae of law
pronounced by the qonddla correspond each to one of the four formulae of law pronounced
by the rdba.2 The ceremonies must all be carried out on the plain outside the village where
the assembly meets. This information, received from Loransiyos to illustrate the follow-
ing text, is in two points (the four ceremonies and the four formulae of law of the qonddla)
in apparent contradiction to the text itself. (See, however, note 4 to text 4.) It is almost
unnecessary to point out the predominance of the number four in these ceremonies; it is
perhaps due to magic significance.
According to the different grades of initiation, the Galla have a different arrangement
of the hair. The dobbolle have their hair shaved off, except for curls which are gathered at
the back of the head. The qonddla let the hair grow without cutting and arrange it by
throwing it back. The rdba shave off the hair and make a tonsure on the top of the head.
The quid make an arrangement called gutu which consists of several tufts of hair inter-
woven and twisted around the back of the head.
The gdda are also the basis of the Galla calendar, the Galla counting by gada periods
as the Greeks did by Olympiads. The gdda whose members are luba (that is, the gdda
from which is chosen the Abba Bokku) gives its name to the period of eight years during
which its members remain luba and its Abba Bokku governs. But it must be kept in mind
that while he is in power, four other gdda are also in operation, so to speak; three as dob-
bolle and one as qonddla. Calling the ten gada by the first ten letters of the alphabet, for
a complete cycle (eighty years), there results this general arrangement (see Diagram II).
Circumcision is connected with the system of the gada, this being the ceremony with
which one passes from the third to the fourth degree of initiation, from rdba to gula. The
festival of the build is also allied to the system of the gdda, this being the last ceremony in
common of the second and third degrees of initiation, the qonddla and the rdba. The as-
sembly of the tribe is connected with the gdda, only those being able to take part in its
deliberations who have passed the second degree of initiation; that is, from the rdba on.
Only exceptionally are there admitted, as deliberating members, the qonddla who have
already completed the four ceremonies of their period. The assembly is presided over by
the Abba Bokku elected from among the members of the gdda which has reached the degree
of luba (third to fourth period of initiation). See text 5.
’ See text 4, note 19, and text 5, note 34.
2 See text 5, note 34.