Abstract:

Guddifachaa is an indigenous and generations old adoption institution in Oromo society in which the best interests of the adopted childrenis expected to be realizedregardless of who the center of benefit is.The purpose of the study was to describehow  the  best  interest  of  the  child is realized in  the  context  of  customary  law  of  guddifachaa. The  study employed qualitativeresearchto have an in-depth understandingof theissue at hand. The study findings revealedthat guddifachaa is a customary adoption, whereupon the best interestsof the childwere entertained. Due to the deep-rooted and irrevocablenature of Safuu among the Oromoo people, whoever the center of the benefit of adoption, adopted children were well treated.Adoptive families were fulfilling basic needs; providing education; providing affection; caring for; making them get married; constructing them houses; and providing inheritancethe totality of which was considered as the assurance of best interests of the child.Thestudy recommended thatasthe concept of “the best interests of the child”  has  vaguely  been  used  in  various  literatures, including  in guddifachaa,experts  likesocial  work  professionals need  to  delve  into  the  community,  conduct  a  thorough  assessment  and  accordingly  make  informed  decision  ofwhat  is best for theadoptees.