(Semhar and Barka) as well as with Afars to the East
plains of Samoti and Wangabo.
Social Structure:
Social cohesion and organisation among Saho are achieved
by lineage system that means Agnatic linage system.
Lineage systems and territorial groups are generally
defined according to rules of complementary opposition.
These rules of complementary opposition form the basis
for the entire structure of the society which is expressed
in political terms between segments.
The family constitute elementary segments in the segmentary
genealogical structure. This structure taken as a whole,
defines the system of rights over the land, including
particularly pasturage, to which each family may lay
claim by reasons of its genealogical position.
The social organisation of Saho is based on kinship
and decent. The sub-tribes are of as genealogical branches
descended from a common ancestor. They are known as
Kisho, Mela, or
Are. Each sub-tribe is divided into numerous
kinship groups known as Dik or Abusa,
which usually bears the names of individuals, the founders
of the lineage.
All Saho tribes share a common language, culture, and
history. However, not all Saho tribes have common origin
or trace their lineage to a common ancestor. The earliest
known Saho tribes, known as “Bado Ambalish”
or bearers of land are, Kabota, Idda, Asa Bora &
Gadafur. These warrior tribes are now less prevalent
and in some instance extinct. The dominant Saho tribes
today are conquerors of the earliest Saho tribes. However,
the conquerors adopted Saho language and culture; others
came to settle among them in around 800 A.C. to preach
Islamic religion. They too gradually adopted the language
and culture hence, becoming part of Saho tribes.
Contemporary Saho tribes can be divided into 11 tribal
groups. Many of the clans have a single clan head called
Redanto, who presides over a hierarchy of lesser “chiefs”
and headmen known as “Nabara”, and “Chiqqa”.
These clan leaders do not preside over political-legal
courts with firm means of executing their judgments
and upholding their position. Rather they are to be
regarded as representative figureheads exercising an
extremely important role in mediating within their own
clan in conjunction with clan elders and in negotiating
with other groups. Most important group decisions reflect
a general consensus of feeling amongst the elders.
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