ATEETEE RITUAL AMONG THE BACHO WOMEN COMMUNITY OF SOUTH WEST SHEWA OROMO

Abstract The main purpose of this research is ateetee ritual among the Bacho women community of south west shewa oromo.The study was conducted through a qualitative data collection and interpretation of both primary and secondary sources i.e. knowledgeable people and most relevant books related to the topic. The interviewing of knowledgeable people was the main techniques of gathering information of this research. Oral information gathered as a means of cross checking the data gathered from secondary sources. The interviews included aged women, men Aba Geda, Becho Woreda Tourism and among the existing Kebeles of Becho Woreda. The analysis of collected data regarding to Ateete ritual reference of Becho Oromo in south west shoa.The finding of the study indicates that Ateetee ritual practiced by women in manner of religious and socio political character for cattle fertility rituals.This,Give thanks to God celebrate a birth of a calf since, the Oromo economic well-being in largely dependent on the multiplicity and reproduction of cattle.On otherhand women,ateete ritual is used to blessing their children growth by thank their Waka/god. The Ateete ritual is transferred from generation to generation by the word of mouth and it is cultural asset which has its own setting, values, rituals and materials or objects used as religious symbols.Additionally, Ateetee ceremony represents a ritualized form of protest expressed by women against violence and abuse of their right. It is an occasion when women air their voices against male domination and gender based violence through verbal communications, songs chatting and many forms of paralinguistic expressions. The study farther recommended should make documentation on Ateetee ritual and its different processes and performances should be properly recorded, transcribed into written forms without losing its and the Becho cultural and tourism office try build a place /hall/where the Ateetee ritual practice or show at least in years that help to understand by new generation.