Indigenous governance systems within the Eastern African nation of Ethiopia are often dismissed by Western political elites as undemocratic. We assessed the nature of and level of democracy in Indigenous governance systems in Ethiopia by focusing on the Yejoka Qicha of the Gurage people. We found that, while the Yejoka Qicha system includes democratic elements that can support national efforts to consolidate democracy, it also marginalizes some groups, such as women, from political and economic benefits. As such, we recommend the implementation of policies that eliminate the oppressive aspects of the Yejoka Qicha system, while also recognizing the role that these Indigenous governance systems can have in promoting democracy within Ethiopia. 

中文翻译：

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埃塞俄比亚的土著治理体系与民主：古拉奇人的耶约卡契察体系

东非国家埃塞俄比亚的土著治理体系经常被西方政治精英斥为不民主。我们通过关注古拉奇人的 Yejoka Qicha，评估了埃塞俄比亚土著治理系统的民主性质和民主水平。我们发现，Yejoka Qicha 制度虽然包含了可以支持国家巩固民主努力的民主元素，但它也将一些群体（例如妇女）从政治和经济利益中边缘化。因此，我们建议实施消除 Yejoka Qicha 制度压迫性方面的政策，同时也承认这些土著治理制度在促进埃塞俄比亚民主方面可以发挥的作用。