Gesso (Geessa)፡ Purification Ritual among the Gamo in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper examines the ritual of Gesso, a purification practice within the Gamo culture. It is used to exorcise curses and malevolent forces caused by the transgression of gome, or social norms. The purpose of the ritual is the purification of individuals who have violated these norms, particularly in relation to the contamination of land and bodies. It also examines the social consequences of extramarital relationships between mala (the pure) and t’somma (the impure), and the important role women play in these narratives. The study employed various ethnographic techniques, including extended case studies, life stories, in-depth and key informant interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis. The study argues that the Gesso ritual not only restores social cohesion  but also reinforces the stratified social structure of the Gamo, integrating complex dynamics of gender, occupation, and socio economic status. This study sheds light on how purification rituals are instrumental in the maintenance of social order and the negotiation of communal values within Gamo society.