Siiqqee Rule

 The Siiqqee Rule - Sirna Siiqqee

The Siiqqee rules center around a significant symbol called Sorooroo, a sharp stick cut from the Harooressaa tree, which married women hold. The Harooressaa wood is preferred for its thickness and strength, ensuring it does not easily break. The Siiqqee is cut to match the length of the woman holding it and is left under the balcony to acquire a pleasant scent, turning it red and beautiful. It is not used as a weapon or for attacking animals; rather, it holds special cultural and social significance.

Siiqqee plays a crucial role in women's social and religious rituals, bringing them together in groups for various occasions.

Gifting the Siiqqee during Marriage

During a wedding, the mother of the bride prepares the Siiqqee, Borati, and Barree. The Siiqqee symbolizes "birmadummaa" or natural freedom, the Borati represents motherhood and is carved from wood and adorned with silk, while the Barree, a milk jug, symbolizes wealth.

When the bridegroom comes to take the bride, her mother, holding the Siiqqee, Borati, and Barree, sits in front of the door. The bridegroom approaches, and the mother gives him the Siiqqee, Borati, and Barree, uttering the words "hoo barree, hoo barsee" to signify the promise she places upon him.

After the wedding, when the newlyweds arrive home, the bride's mother presents the Siiqqee, Borati, and Barree to the bridegroom's mother. The women form groups with Siiqqee to enforce various customs and laws.

The Honor and Respect of Siiqqee

Women who possess a Siiqqee command great respect in the community. When a woman with a Siiqqee walks down the street, others do not cross her path unless given permission. Men must stand up and wait for her to pass before crossing. Even when crossing a river, others will not go before her.

Women who go out in groups with their Siiqqee are called Ateetee or Ganyaa. When they chant and walk, others show them respect by stopping their activities, cutting wet grass, and singing "Ilteeninnaa," to which the women respond with "obbayaa."

Siiqqee's Role in Resolving Conflicts and Protecting Women

In case of conflicts and disputes, women with Siiqqee come together to intervene. When they hear about a woman being beaten, they use a cheerful calling sign, "ililii, ililii, ililii," and rush to the scene. The presence of women with Siiqqee is often enough to put an end to the fighting.

The Siiqqee also plays a role in the adoption of children. A woman who desires to adopt a child approaches the child's parents with Siiqqee, milk in a ciicoo (a traditional container), and requests to adopt the child. Parents who have raised many children often agree to give their child to the woman with Siiqqee.

Preserving and Promoting Our Culture

Our culture defines our identity and should be proudly preserved and promoted. As educated members of the Qube generation, it is our responsibility to rectify past weaknesses in promoting our culture to the world. Let us use the resources available to us and respectfully share our Aadaa Oromoo/Oromo culture through various platforms, so that our rich cultural heritage is recognized and appreciated worldwide. Together, we can ensure that our cultural legacy is passed on to future generations and celebrated on a global scale.