Addis Ababa University (AAU), Jimma University (JU), Arsi University (AU) and Institute of Oromo Studies (IOS) signed a Mutual Agreement on a research project entitled “Description and Documentation of Gadda Cultural Terms with Special Focus on Terms in Irreecha” at AAU’s President Office on the 7^th of April 2022.

The main objective of the agreement is to describe, document, retrieve and archive terms and practices that convey cultural meanings in Irreecha and communicate indigenous knowledge therein.

Prof. Tassew Woldehanna, President of AAU on the signing ceremony said that this collective effort is important to study, research and publicize Irreecha, which is a hallmark of the Gadda system, in order to benefit Ethiopia, East Africa as well as the whole Africa in continental level.

He recalled that AAU is working in a number of fields in social and natural sciences and the social science field focuses on teaching, researching as well as practicing many local and foreign languages.  “We recently signed an agreement with the University of Dar es Salaam to conduct research on the Kiswahili language spoken by the largest population in East Africa,” he added.

Prof. Tassew mentioned that we must not forget the languages as well as the cultures of our country pointing Gadda system as the first democratic and political institution that taught democracy in Ethiopia and in Africa which contains many important yet unknown treasures that need a lot of study.

“As AAU’s Academy of Ethiopian Languages ​​and Cultures as well as College of Humanities, is developing and promoting a number of forgotten languages ​​and dialects, it is necessary to work closely with JU, AU and IOS to study and conduct research on Gadda system especially on Irreecha terms,” he underscored.

Prof. Tassew reminded that by 2018 AAU conferred Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa up on Professor Asmerom Legesse, who is the pioneer of Gadda studies.

JU President Dr. Jemal Abafita, AU President Dr. Duguma Adugna and Deputy Director of IOS spoke on the event pointing out that the agreement will open the way to conduct more and more researches by making similar agreements with other national universities which help to develop cultural values ​​and create a national consensus.

The agreement shall remain valid for the period of Three (3) years starting from the date of its signing with a possibility of renewal (amendment) upon mutual agreement.

Reporter: Tsion Aysheshim

Photo: Andualem Aseffa

Editor: Abraham Girmay