IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ART IN HISTORY

Abstract The purpose of this study is toreconstruct the historical foundation and development of Adele town to 1991. Adele is the capital of Arsi. Arsi was incorporated into the expanding force of Ethiopian feudal empire in 1886 as a result of the battle of Azule after which immediately the conquering forces established military garrisons which later developed into ketemas and administration centers. This study is alsoaimed at recognizing; the social, cultural, politico economic and religious changes in comparing with the indigenous peoples of pre- existing traditional way of life with the emergence and development of Adele town as administration center. The study has various primary and secondary sources. The primary sources consultedby the researcher were traditional institution, cultural ceremonies, existing natural spiritual places, eye witnesses that are cross checked with the written sources relating to the topic under study. The secondary sources include such historical sources astheses, journals and history books. To this end, the researcher employed different data gathering techniques such as observation, interviews, archival records, and analysis of documentary sources. Qualitative research writing method is the main method applied for this study. The data which were collected through different techniques were analyzed interpreted and finally synthesized qualitatively. The transformation of the Adele town establishment area to Urban center the increase of Urban dweller size, high interaction with people of different ethnic, linguistic and religious back ground origin and the reduction of once existing forests were some of the Findings of the Research.