Designing and Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework for Gumaa in Oromo Gadaa System (in Case of Siko Mando)

Belayihun Shewangzaw; Amana Omer; Bifa Hirpo; Gemechis Kelbecha

doi:doi:10.11648/j.im.20260101.15

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Designing and Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework for Gumaa in Oromo Gadaa System (in Case of Siko Mando)

Belayihun Shewangzaw^*

, Amana Omer

, Bifa Hirpo, Gemechis Kelbecha

Published in Innovation Management (Volume 1, Issue 1)

Received: 9 January 2026 Accepted: 23 January 2026 Published: 11 February 2026

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Abstract

Indigenous knowledge (IK) systems play a vital role in social governance and conflict resolution in many African societies. The Oromo Gadaa System (OGS) represents one of the most established indigenous governance systems in Ethiopia, within which the Gumaa institution serves as a traditional mechanism for conflict resolution and social reconciliation. Despite its continued relevance, Gumaa knowledge remains largely tacit, orally transmitted, and weakly supported by modern knowledge management (KM) practices, posing risks to its preservation and intergenerational transfer. This study aims to design and implement an Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework (IKMF) for Gumaa within the OGS to enhance the acquisition, capture, representation, sharing, utilization, and preservation of this knowledge. A mixed research approach was employed, combining surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis among Siko Mando Oromo communities of West Arsi and Bale zones. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while a rule-based prototype was developed using Prolog to demonstrate the framework’s applicability. The proposed IKMF was evaluated using ISO-9126 quality attributes, yielding satisfactory results across usability, functionality, efficiency, and portability. The findings indicate that the proposed framework offers a practical and scalable solution for preserving and managing Gumaa knowledge and contributes to broader efforts in indigenous knowledge digitization and peacebuilding.

Published in	Innovation Management (Volume 1, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.im.20260101.15
Page(s)	29-43
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Indigenous Knowledge, Knowledge Management, Gadaa System, Gumaa, Conflict Resolution

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APA Style

Shewangzaw, B., Omer, A., Hirpo, B., Kelbecha, G. (2026). Designing and Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework for Gumaa in Oromo Gadaa System (in Case of Siko Mando). Innovation Management, 1(1), 29-43. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.im.20260101.15

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ACS Style

Shewangzaw, B.; Omer, A.; Hirpo, B.; Kelbecha, G. Designing and Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework for Gumaa in Oromo Gadaa System (in Case of Siko Mando). Innov. Manag. 2026, 1(1), 29-43. doi: 10.11648/j.im.20260101.15

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AMA Style

Shewangzaw B, Omer A, Hirpo B, Kelbecha G. Designing and Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework for Gumaa in Oromo Gadaa System (in Case of Siko Mando). Innov Manag. 2026;1(1):29-43. doi: 10.11648/j.im.20260101.15

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@article{10.11648/j.im.20260101.15,
  author = {Belayihun Shewangzaw and Amana Omer and Bifa Hirpo and Gemechis Kelbecha},
  title = {Designing and Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework for Gumaa in Oromo Gadaa System (in Case of Siko Mando)},
  journal = {Innovation Management},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {29-43},
  doi = {10.11648/j.im.20260101.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.im.20260101.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.im.20260101.15},
  abstract = {Indigenous knowledge (IK) systems play a vital role in social governance and conflict resolution in many African societies. The Oromo Gadaa System (OGS) represents one of the most established indigenous governance systems in Ethiopia, within which the Gumaa institution serves as a traditional mechanism for conflict resolution and social reconciliation. Despite its continued relevance, Gumaa knowledge remains largely tacit, orally transmitted, and weakly supported by modern knowledge management (KM) practices, posing risks to its preservation and intergenerational transfer. This study aims to design and implement an Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework (IKMF) for Gumaa within the OGS to enhance the acquisition, capture, representation, sharing, utilization, and preservation of this knowledge. A mixed research approach was employed, combining surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis among Siko Mando Oromo communities of West Arsi and Bale zones. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while a rule-based prototype was developed using Prolog to demonstrate the framework’s applicability. The proposed IKMF was evaluated using ISO-9126 quality attributes, yielding satisfactory results across usability, functionality, efficiency, and portability. The findings indicate that the proposed framework offers a practical and scalable solution for preserving and managing Gumaa knowledge and contributes to broader efforts in indigenous knowledge digitization and peacebuilding.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Designing and Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework for Gumaa in Oromo Gadaa System (in Case of Siko Mando)
AU  - Belayihun Shewangzaw
AU  - Amana Omer
AU  - Bifa Hirpo
AU  - Gemechis Kelbecha
Y1  - 2026/02/11
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.im.20260101.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.im.20260101.15
T2  - Innovation Management
JF  - Innovation Management
JO  - Innovation Management
SP  - 29
EP  - 43
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.im.20260101.15
AB  - Indigenous knowledge (IK) systems play a vital role in social governance and conflict resolution in many African societies. The Oromo Gadaa System (OGS) represents one of the most established indigenous governance systems in Ethiopia, within which the Gumaa institution serves as a traditional mechanism for conflict resolution and social reconciliation. Despite its continued relevance, Gumaa knowledge remains largely tacit, orally transmitted, and weakly supported by modern knowledge management (KM) practices, posing risks to its preservation and intergenerational transfer. This study aims to design and implement an Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework (IKMF) for Gumaa within the OGS to enhance the acquisition, capture, representation, sharing, utilization, and preservation of this knowledge. A mixed research approach was employed, combining surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis among Siko Mando Oromo communities of West Arsi and Bale zones. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while a rule-based prototype was developed using Prolog to demonstrate the framework’s applicability. The proposed IKMF was evaluated using ISO-9126 quality attributes, yielding satisfactory results across usability, functionality, efficiency, and portability. The findings indicate that the proposed framework offers a practical and scalable solution for preserving and managing Gumaa knowledge and contributes to broader efforts in indigenous knowledge digitization and peacebuilding.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Belayihun Shewangzaw

Marketing Managemnt, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia

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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0945-5955
Amana Omer

Tourism and Hotel Management, Madda Walabu University, Robe, Ethiopia

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http://orcid.org/0009-0001-6387-6179
Bifa Hirpo

Information Technology, Madda Walabu University, Robe, Ethiopia

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Gemechis Kelbecha

Computer Science, Madda Walabau University, Robe, Ethiopia

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APA Style

Shewangzaw, B., Omer, A., Hirpo, B., Kelbecha, G. (2026). Designing and Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework for Gumaa in Oromo Gadaa System (in Case of Siko Mando). Innovation Management, 1(1), 29-43. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.im.20260101.15

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ACS Style

Shewangzaw, B.; Omer, A.; Hirpo, B.; Kelbecha, G. Designing and Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework for Gumaa in Oromo Gadaa System (in Case of Siko Mando). Innov. Manag. 2026, 1(1), 29-43. doi: 10.11648/j.im.20260101.15

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AMA Style

Shewangzaw B, Omer A, Hirpo B, Kelbecha G. Designing and Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework for Gumaa in Oromo Gadaa System (in Case of Siko Mando). Innov Manag. 2026;1(1):29-43. doi: 10.11648/j.im.20260101.15

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@article{10.11648/j.im.20260101.15,
  author = {Belayihun Shewangzaw and Amana Omer and Bifa Hirpo and Gemechis Kelbecha},
  title = {Designing and Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework for Gumaa in Oromo Gadaa System (in Case of Siko Mando)},
  journal = {Innovation Management},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {29-43},
  doi = {10.11648/j.im.20260101.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.im.20260101.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.im.20260101.15},
  abstract = {Indigenous knowledge (IK) systems play a vital role in social governance and conflict resolution in many African societies. The Oromo Gadaa System (OGS) represents one of the most established indigenous governance systems in Ethiopia, within which the Gumaa institution serves as a traditional mechanism for conflict resolution and social reconciliation. Despite its continued relevance, Gumaa knowledge remains largely tacit, orally transmitted, and weakly supported by modern knowledge management (KM) practices, posing risks to its preservation and intergenerational transfer. This study aims to design and implement an Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework (IKMF) for Gumaa within the OGS to enhance the acquisition, capture, representation, sharing, utilization, and preservation of this knowledge. A mixed research approach was employed, combining surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis among Siko Mando Oromo communities of West Arsi and Bale zones. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while a rule-based prototype was developed using Prolog to demonstrate the framework’s applicability. The proposed IKMF was evaluated using ISO-9126 quality attributes, yielding satisfactory results across usability, functionality, efficiency, and portability. The findings indicate that the proposed framework offers a practical and scalable solution for preserving and managing Gumaa knowledge and contributes to broader efforts in indigenous knowledge digitization and peacebuilding.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Designing and Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework for Gumaa in Oromo Gadaa System (in Case of Siko Mando)
AU  - Belayihun Shewangzaw
AU  - Amana Omer
AU  - Bifa Hirpo
AU  - Gemechis Kelbecha
Y1  - 2026/02/11
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.im.20260101.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.im.20260101.15
T2  - Innovation Management
JF  - Innovation Management
JO  - Innovation Management
SP  - 29
EP  - 43
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.im.20260101.15
AB  - Indigenous knowledge (IK) systems play a vital role in social governance and conflict resolution in many African societies. The Oromo Gadaa System (OGS) represents one of the most established indigenous governance systems in Ethiopia, within which the Gumaa institution serves as a traditional mechanism for conflict resolution and social reconciliation. Despite its continued relevance, Gumaa knowledge remains largely tacit, orally transmitted, and weakly supported by modern knowledge management (KM) practices, posing risks to its preservation and intergenerational transfer. This study aims to design and implement an Indigenous Knowledge Management Framework (IKMF) for Gumaa within the OGS to enhance the acquisition, capture, representation, sharing, utilization, and preservation of this knowledge. A mixed research approach was employed, combining surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis among Siko Mando Oromo communities of West Arsi and Bale zones. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while a rule-based prototype was developed using Prolog to demonstrate the framework’s applicability. The proposed IKMF was evaluated using ISO-9126 quality attributes, yielding satisfactory results across usability, functionality, efficiency, and portability. The findings indicate that the proposed framework offers a practical and scalable solution for preserving and managing Gumaa knowledge and contributes to broader efforts in indigenous knowledge digitization and peacebuilding.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

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