The Borana people
Presentation
From the Juba River to Lake Stephanie, the semi-arid lands of southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya are the exclusive territory of the Borena, who have managed to tame this hostile environment. The Borena are the descendants of the first Oromo tribes established in southern Ethiopia in the 15th and 16th centuries, and who were not subject to the Abyssinian Empire until the end of the 19th century. Among the Oromo, they are also considered to come from the purest and oldest lineage having managed to maintain a traditional ancestral way of life.
Unwavering semi-nomadic shepherds, dependent exclusively for their subsistence on their herds of zebu and refusing any other manual activity than the collection of salt, vital for their animals. The other constraint required for the survival of such precious livestock is the search for water, which pushed the Borena to dig impressive wells up to 40 m deep. Such works testify to a perfectly organized society, capable of mobilizing significant human resources. From this organization, the Borena have retained a keen sense of discipline and cooperation, and drawing water is akin to a social service in which everyone participates for the benefit of the community.
The Borena were formidable warriors, ready to fight in defense of their territory. But beyond a simple idea of self-defense, the killing of another man was considered a matter of honor for any man of fighting age. Thus, a recognized killer can take advantage of the envied term diira or “manly”, and adorn himself with specific decorations which attract the favor of young girls to marry.
