The Borana people are an ethnic group living primarily in the southern parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.
They belong to the larger Oromo ethnic group and have a distinct cultural identity and social structure.
While family structures can vary among individuals and communities, some common practices were observed traditionally in Borana society.
Here is an overview of the Borana society.
Family Structure
Traditionally, the basic unit of the Borana society was the household, which usually consisted of a man, his wife, and children.
However, they maintained strong ties with their extended family, such as uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents.
The household was headed by the father, who had authority and responsibility for decision-making.
In the event of the father's death, the responsibility for the well-being and care of the family often falls on the eldest son or another male family member.
Relatives, such as uncles, grandfathers, or older brothers, may take responsibility if the sons are still young.
Clans
The Borana tribe has six major clans.
They include;
Eekka
Uulaalee
Konnoo
Gumbichuu
Yaayee
Diigaluu
Dialects
The Borana speak a dialect of the Afaan Oromo, which is an Eastern Cushitic language.
It is closely related to the speech of two other Oromo groups, the Arsi and the Guji.
They refer to their language as Afan Borana, a dominant language spoken within the Borana region in Ethiopia and Kenya.
Age Sets
Traditionally, they had two age systems. One was a generation-set system with grades called Gadaa, and the other was an age-set system called Hariya.
The Gadda system elected males, for eight years, for various political, ritual, judicial, and religious roles.
Retirement was obligatory after eight years, and each clan followed the same Gadaa system.
The following were the age sets and the age requirements among the Borana.
Age - sets and Age
Wakor Duba: ( 12-19)
Darar Godana: (20-27)
Dambal Bule: (28-35)
Wakor liban: (36-43)
Dambal Arero: (44-51)
Wakor Sora: (52-59)
Dambal Taddacha: (60-67)
Wakor Dida: (68-75)
Udan Bukko: ( 76-83)
Wakor Mallu: (84-91)
Naming System
Child naming among the Borana was a meaningful ceremony.
After eight years, the child was given a name. The family asked for blessings from God and gave thanks.
The ceremony was attended by family members, seven officials, and an elder (Qadadu).
A feast was held, and the father would name the child.
Children were christened after their ancestors. For example, Jarso Bashir, Esau meant Jarso, son of Bashir, grandson of Esau. They were also named according to their birth time, i.e., daytime or night. More so, names were given after an event or ceremony.
Kinship
The Borana social structure incorporates a dual moiety system consisting of two main kinship groups: Sabbo and Gona.
These two moieties are further divided into subgroups, each with a distinct identity and ancestral lineage.
The Sabbo moiety is subdivided into three primary subgroups. On the other hand, the Gona moiety is organized into two broader sub-groups, which are further divided into lineages.
1. Sabbo Moiety consists of the following:
Karayu
Matari
Dikalu.
2. Gonna Moiety is subdivided into two branches; Aroresa and Fuleelle.
The Aroresa consists of the following:
Arslii
Hawaxuu
Qarcabdu
Warrajidaa
Maliyyuu
Dambituu
Noonituu.
The Fuleelle consists of the following:
Daacituu
Macituu
Galantuu
Sirayyuu
Banchituu
Konnituu.
Marriage/Courtship
Traditionally, the Borana did not marry out of love. When a man reaches the age to marry, his father searches for a woman.
The girl's mother determined whether the girl would be married. That was because her character was the baseline. Several stages and negotiations then preceded the marriage ceremony.
The man and woman to be married had to come from unrelated moieties. The marriage only took place with the parent's consent.
The first stage of the marriage after the bride was identified was referred to as the ‘flower.’ The groom's family had to bring three kilograms of coffee. They would come back again after a few months.
The second visit involved bringing clothes for the parents and relatives. Thar was to impress the relatives because they could refuse the proposal.
More so, 10-15 kilos of coffee, a cow, an ox, and a blanket were brought. The cow was for the mother to the bride. The ox and blanket were given to the bride’s father.
After the gifts were given in full, the groom’s father would ask for the day the bride would go to the groom’s family.
Read Also:
The Major Nandi Clans you Should Know
Polygamy
It was a tradition for the Borana people to marry more than one wife. They were given status in the community according to the number of wives they had.
The wives were submissive, and the eldest wife was respected more and occupied the senior position after her husband.
Gender Roles in Marriage
Roles among the Borana were clearly defined by gender.
The man was the head of the family, and acts of bravery and wisdom seen from him gave him a chance to be of special status. Being a leader was a supreme opportunity since it earned admiration and respect.
A woman was responsible for childbearing and household chores. Women were responsible for building houses - portable, traditional round grass huts called 'dasse.' They weren’t given any leadership opportunities.
Divorce
Among the Borana, ‘garob’ was a slur used to describe divorced women. They were detested by the community and blamed for the failure of their marriages.
Death
Death and burial practices among the Borana was complex and involved differing degrees of treatment for individuals of different age, sex, and social affiliation.
When someone dies, they are washed and tied in a fetal position. They are then wrapped in aromatic plants and a mat made of palm tree leaves before burial.
Spiritual leaders, and those with higher standing in the community, receive a different physical preparation before burial.
Inheritance
Traditionally, inheritance practices were based on patrilineal descent. Land and property were inherited by male descendants, with the eldest son often receiving the majority or a significant portion.
Personal belongings, such as household items and jewellery, were distributed among family members based on cultural norms and family agreements.
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