Abstract
Equub is an Ethiopian Rotating Savings and Credit Association (ROSCA) that has been used by a significant number of the Ethiopian population for a long time (Aredo, 1993; Aredo, 2004; Begashaw, 1978). Ethiopian people of various ethnicity, social class, gender, age group, and place of residence have used Equub to mobilize financial and social resources. Equubs can be found wherever Ethiopians are found. However, the various forms of Equub found inside and outside of Ethiopia are not studied evenly. While the Equubs found in Ethiopia are well studied, those outside of Ethiopia, especially those in Europe, are neglected (Tadesse, 2020). Furthermore, Equub has not yet been studied in relation to the concept of the commons. The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of Equub in Berlin vis-à-vis the concept of the commons using Ostrom’s (1990) design principles for long-enduring Common Pool Resource (CPR) institutions. The study poses the question: How do Equubs in Berlin work as commons? The study employs a single qualitative case study research design and discusses results in relation to the author's personal experience in Equub and research findings from other studies. The results of the study reveal that Equub is an excellent example of the commons and it can be categorized as financial commons. The study also shows that Equub is a way of building community economies and providing support systems for Black minorities in the West.