The Go-Between, Afar of Ethiopia

Original title The Go-Between, Afar of Ethiopia

A woman is reported killed – another case for Hussein Hayie. The Islamic pastoral Afars inhabit the north eastern rangelands of Ethiopia. Some have settled in towns and trade centres where also the Ethiopian government is present with the police and other government officials. Many Afars have a foot in both sectors, having a home in town while maintaining close contact with their nomadic relatives. Hussein Hayie has a government position as Peace and Security officer. His work is to judge whether an incident should be handled as a criminal case for the police or be left as a case to be solved the traditional way by the elders of the clans. The Afar political organization is based on both territory and kinship. The political institutions are geared towards social control and the resolution of conflicts. The tribal leaders are often called upon to intervene before a small matter escalates.

Author/s Frode Storaas, Rolf Scott, Kassa Getachew

Frode Storaas, professor, University Museum of Bergen Rolf Scott, phd candidate, University of Bergen Getachew Kassa, associate professor, Addis Ababa University

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