5 kilometers north of Adi Nebreid, is a small historic stele commemorating the famous 400 years old Adiabo Traditional Judiciary system, locally known as Bayto Seyemti Adiabo (ባይቶ ሰየምቲ ኣድያቦ). It was erected by the late Ato Atsbeha, a scholar and developmental activist from the area, in remembrance of the local conflict resolution system and the actors.
History has it on record that during the era of King Fasiledes of Gondar, strong community leaders and representatives were summoned to his palace to receive orders on how to resolve conflicts. The king passed such orders as ‘cut the hands of those who steal, kill those who kill, etc’.
Representatives of all communities accepted the order, except those from Adiabo. They objected to the order, and set up their own traditional judiciary which ran for 400 years. The most respected community leaders are the judges and they have to be re-elected every 2 years.
The local court instance was conducted under a big tree shade, known as Aye (ዓየ). Aye is served as shed and has a sweet edible fruit. As of 25 May 2019, there was only one small Aye tree left in the area, where the gathering was made. At the top of the monument, a mark for the Aye leaf has been put to commomerate tree.
