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Recognizing the role of the customary laws of various ethnic groups in the uniform legal system of a country like Ethiopia is of paramount importance to make justice accessible for every citizen. However, most of the customs that operate within the country have never been studied in a satisfactory manner. And customary laws, by their very nature, are in a greater flux than written laws. Therefore, this work tries to show the prevalence and importance of customary practices in the present Kambaata society, with special emphasis on the tension that exists between the customary laws and the formal legal system of Ethiopia. The Kambaata customs, their traditional values and their kinship system play a great role in resolving disputes such as homicide. The present work can be used, firstly, as a reference work for state officials who work on legal reforms aimed at adapting the laws to the traditions of the Ethiopian nations, nationalities and peoples. Secondly, the work lays the foundation for further research into the customary practices of the Kambaata and other ethnic groups in Ethiopia.
