Oromo Oromo
1. Introduction to Oromo Culture
The Oromo are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia and one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Horn of Africa. Over the course of thousands of years, they have developed a distinct culture that is both ancient and modern, maintaining close ties with their traditions while embracing modernity.
This video will introduce you to the Oromo people.
2. Oromo Language
Oromo is a language belonging to the Afro-Asiatic language family. It is spoken by approximately 30 million people in Ethiopia, with the majority of them residing in the Oromia Region.
It has several sub-dialects, most notably the Ge’ez, Kaffa, Gafat and D’gafat, and is also spoken in some neighbouring countries.
History
The Oromo language is thought to be related to the Amharic language and both have a common origin. The earliest written examples of the language were inscribed on the Gudea Cylinders dating to the 3rd millennium BC.
3. Oromo People and Society
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4. Oromo History
Oromo history is very old and is one of the oldest histories of any culture. It has its roots in ancient history and is considered to be one of the first languages of the world. It was originally spoken in central parts of the continent of Africa by a group of people called Oromo. It is a very rich and ancient language and is still spoken by more than a hundred million people today. It is considered to be a dialect of the Afan language. It is also considered to be one of the official languages of Ethiopia.
Oromo people have been living in the country of Ethiopia for a very long time. According to historical records, the first Oromo people were nomads. They lived in tents and traveled all over the continent of Africa in search of resources and a better life.
5. Oromo Food
Oromo food includes a variety of dishes prepared with wheat flour. In this chapter, we introduce you to the dishes that are commonly eaten in Oromo cuisine, including foteta, kocho, fudee, fulolo, molo, teff*, mukka, and kichiri. These dishes can be eaten in their traditional form, as part of a buffet, or served in combination with other foods.
Foteta, Fudee, and Kocho
Foteta (see Figure 11-1a) is a savory flatbread made from wheat flour and yeast, cooked on a hot, smooth stone surface.
6. Oromo Clothing
Oromo are pastoralists of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region. The culture of Oromo people is closely related to nature and the climate of the land they inhabit. As a result, the attire of Oromo people are adapted to their environment and lifestyle. This section explores the history and traditional clothing of the Oromo people.
Traditional clothing of the Oromo people is called ‘Abo’. Abo are mainly made from goat, sheep, cow, or horse hair. It is common to see Oromo men wear long gowns and hats made of animal hair.
7. Oromo Home Decoration
Oromo, a people and a nation, are known for their creativity, resilience, and cultural and historical heritage. As a people, we have been known for the quality of our textile industry for many centuries. Oromo textile industry was in the spotlight at the 4th Oromo Culture, Economy and Industry Exhibition (ORMAEI-2018) which was held in Addis Ababa from 15 to 18 April, 2018. This was the first time that the Oromo Textile Industry Association organized this exhibition.
The exhibition was held at the Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Apparel Studies (ETATS) exhibition hall.
8. Oromo Festivals and Traditions
The Oromo are an ethnic group with a rich and diverse culture. They are predominantly Muslim and practice a traditional form of polytheistic faith known as the Afen Oromo. Although the Oromo people have been part of the Ethiopian empire for thousands of years, their modern history as a nation began in the mid-1800s. They are one of the largest and most prominent ethnic groups in Ethiopia.
The Oromo people have a rich cultural history and a tradition of resistance to oppression. They have faced a long history of discrimination, and their language is a target of government censorship.
9. Oromo Arts and Crafts
Oromo people are famous for their skills in the arts and crafts. The ancient and rich tradition of Oromo arts and crafts is well documented and known to the world.
Among these are the traditional Oromo arts such as Oromoo carpet weaving, woodcarving, beadwork, and bronze and silver casting. Oromo women also produce Oromo clothes, particularly the women’s dress known as the Adaa, or apron. The Oromo people are also famous for their skill in pottery.
Education
Literacy and primary education
According to the Oromo Bureau of Statistics, the literacy rate for the Oromo was 89.1% in 2010.
10. Oromo Literature
The Oromo people, who live in Ethiopia, have a rich and varied literary heritage. With a history dating back more than 3,000 years, Oromo literature has developed a unique and vibrant literary tradition. By examining the evolution of Oromo literature, we can gain insight into the cultural evolution of this ancient people.
In this book, we explore the development of the Oromo language as well as Oromo literature from the dawn of the Oromo people to the present. The book is divided into five parts. In Part 1, “Introduction,” we provide an overview of the history of the Oromo people and their literature.