Change and Continuity in Marriage Practice Among the Oromo of West Hararghe, Anchar Woreda: Itu (1880s-1990s)

<strong>ABSTRACT</strong> <em>Marriage is an institution that helps for the continuation of generations, however, through time its form, process and practice changes. Although Itu Oromo had their own indigenous culture of marriage practice which practiced under Gad umbrella, they shared Culture of marriage practice with other. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the change and continuity in marriage practice of Oromo since 1880s to 1990s, by focusing on the Itu Oromo of Anchar woreda, west Hararghe. To achieve the objective, data is collected through, informal interview, key informant interview and also from raring secondary sources. The study reveals that the changes observed in marriage practices during study period are categorized into: changes during menelik conquest; changes during imperial regime; changes during Derg regime and changes emerged during1990s. Conquest government, which came with Amhara culture; Introduction of religion; interaction with other; the development of globalization including education and weakening of Safu’s status among Oromo themselves were resulted change of Itu Oromo marriage practice. The following defeat the of Oromo, hundreds of thousands of settlers, known as naftanya, imposed their culture, religion and way of life onto the local community that forced the Oromo to abandon their indigenous culture, custom and belief system. Although, Oromo have not social class, after conquest, marriage was mainly based on social status and position among' the Anchar Oromo. During Derg regime, in position and social acceptance was not seen a major criteria, wealth began to be considered as a prerequisite for marriage. Religion pressure, especially Islamic religion was mostly influenced the nature of marriage practice in Anchar woreda during the period of study. Due to modernization since the</em><em> 1990s regardless of </em><em>economic </em><em>differen</em><em>ce </em><em>the </em><em>c</em><em>ho</em><em>ice of </em><em>the boys and the </em><em>girls is respected or they can </em><em>easily </em><em>influenc</em><em>e </em><em>th</em><em>e</em><em>ir </em><em>parent. The </em><em>girl or </em><em>the boy </em><em>establishes </em><em>marriage </em><em>with </em><em>the person they like r</em><em>egard</em><em>l</em><em>ess </em><em>th</em><em>e </em><em>pre</em><em>ss</em><em>ure </em><em>that </em><em>may come from their families.</em><em> Abduction and early marriage are the forms of marriage that are on the way to extinction mainly due to education and an awareness created by the gender office. As the modernity increased, position and status of Safu decreased among Oromo society that led influenced indigenous marriage practice of Oromo in general and Anchar Oromo in particular. Practicing inheritance types of marriage, using coffee during marriage issue and performing Eabba, during wedding ceremony were continued marriage practice during the period of study.</em> <strong><em>Keywords: </em></strong><em>Change, Continuity, Marriage practice, Itu Oromo, Indigenous Culture, Globalization</em>