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The Practices of Women in Intra-/Inter-clan/Inter-Ethnic Conflicts and Peacemaking: The Case of Borana Oromo Women in Southern Oromiyaa, Ethiopia

Tesfaye Gudeta Gerba,Gutema Imana Keno,M. Hundera,F. Tufa

Published 2025 in Australian feminist studies

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT This study investigates the roles of Borana women in intra- and inter-clan as well as inter-ethnic peacemaking in southern Oromiyaa, Ethiopia, using an ethnographic and qualitative approach. The data were collected from key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and secondary sources. The findings reveal that Borana women play vital roles in conflict resolution through mediation, negotiation, and fostering social cohesion, earning them recognition as ‘mothers of peace’. Ritual women, such as elelee and ruudii, exemplify peaceful behaviour during traditional ceremonies, reinforcing the values of dialogue, consensus-building, and leadership nurturing. Women are also central to community resilience and leadership, yet their roles in formal peace processes remain insufficiently explored. Borana women use traditional knowledge, moral authority, and ritual practices to sustain peace at the grassroots level. The study contributes to feminist perspectives by foregrounding women’s often overlooked contributions to peacemaking and calls for policies that strengthen women’s participation in peacemaking, which is crucial for the advancement of gender equality and sustainable peace.

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