PEOPLE
The origin of the Oromo people is from the eastern Cushitic branch. The Oromo people as members of the Cushitic family started to live in the northeastern parts of Africa from 3,500 B,C to 2,000 B.C. with its own culture and language. This fact has been justified by linguistic evidence.
The Oromo belongs to the Cushitic subfamily, which extends over most
of northeastern Africa. Today the Oromo people in Ethiopia is estimated
more than 40 million.
of northeastern Africa. Today the Oromo people in Ethiopia is estimated
more than 40 million.
LANGUAGE
The Oromo people speak a language that has its roots from eastern Cush
and it is thus a Cushitic population. Oromo language is called Afaan Oromo. The Cushites speak closely related dialects of the same language. They all share a common culture heritage. From among the indigenous population of the country, those who had been living 8000 years ago on the eastern parts of Africa were the Kush people. As the linguistic evidences testify, the ancient Cushitic language had been divided into four branches starting from 5,000 B.C. One among the four is the eastern branch of Cush.
and it is thus a Cushitic population. Oromo language is called Afaan Oromo. The Cushites speak closely related dialects of the same language. They all share a common culture heritage. From among the indigenous population of the country, those who had been living 8000 years ago on the eastern parts of Africa were the Kush people. As the linguistic evidences testify, the ancient Cushitic language had been divided into four branches starting from 5,000 B.C. One among the four is the eastern branch of Cush.
From about 3,500 B.C. to 2,000 B.C., the eastern Kush was divided among the population groups who had developed their own language. Cushitic families are: Northern Cushitic, Eastern Cushitic, Central Cushitic and southern Cushitic. Lowland Eastern Cushitic are: Somali, Afar and Saho. Highland Eastern Cushitic are: Oromo, Burji, Sidama etc. The Oromo nation is a single majority of the cushitic language speaking peoples of the region. The Oromo also settled over the largest area compared to other cushitic peoples. It is the third widely spoken language following Arabic and Hausa of Nigeria.
COUNTRY
So long as its Cushitic root is confirmed, there is no doubt that the original homeland of the ancient Cushitic peoples also mean that of the Oromo. Oromo land is known as OROMIA. It is locate from 2 degree North (Moyale) to 12.5 degree North (Wajirat) and from 34 degree east to 44 degree east. In view of this fact, linguistic evidences show that the present cushitic peoples of Ethiopia are direct descendants of ancient cushites of North East Africa and that they have moved or migrated from north towards the south and southeastern regions. Christopher Eheret dated the movement of ancient Cushitic people from North to South to 7000 years before present (B.P.)
So long as its Cushitic root is confirmed, there is no doubt that the original homeland of the ancient Cushitic peoples also mean that of the Oromo. Oromo land is known as OROMIA. It is locate from 2 degree North (Moyale) to 12.5 degree North (Wajirat) and from 34 degree east to 44 degree east. In view of this fact, linguistic evidences show that the present cushitic peoples of Ethiopia are direct descendants of ancient cushites of North East Africa and that they have moved or migrated from north towards the south and southeastern regions. Christopher Eheret dated the movement of ancient Cushitic people from North to South to 7000 years before present (B.P.)
At this stage of our discussion, suffice it to underline the very fact about the pressure existing on the north-south movement of the Cushitic peoples in its history of several thousand years. The existing literature and oral tradition unanimously agree upon the existence of a strong pressure on the Cushitic people that resulted in southward movement by remarkable eroding effect on its original belief and culture. The Cushitic peoples in general and the Oromo in particular had been victims of the invasions of both the Christian and Muslim states for several centuries. Because of these invasions, the Oromo politico- religions centers and the leaders were forced to move southwards from their original settlement. Consequently, Oromo means Kush or vice versa. As an ancient member of the Cushitic people
Culture, Religions and Philosophy
Religion is generally understood as a cultural and social phenomenon that serves a society or an individual believer as a means of seeing and understanding human life and the natural environment and leading a life armed with hope for the better in the blessing of the supreme creator. The term philosophy stands for the general human zeal for knowing about humanity itself and nature in general, particularly with regard to who created them, from where did they come, how and why they were created. It also includes human thought and reflection of the general understanding of the world and the methods and attempts used to solve existing problems in life.
Religion is generally understood as a cultural and social phenomenon that serves a society or an individual believer as a means of seeing and understanding human life and the natural environment and leading a life armed with hope for the better in the blessing of the supreme creator. The term philosophy stands for the general human zeal for knowing about humanity itself and nature in general, particularly with regard to who created them, from where did they come, how and why they were created. It also includes human thought and reflection of the general understanding of the world and the methods and attempts used to solve existing problems in life.
The religion and philosophy of the Oromo originated from that of the ancient cushitic or Egyptian ancestors. Both written sources and oral traditions indicate that ancient Cushitic’s worship in Osires that was supposed to be sole and supreme. The Oromo people recognized this Supreme Being as Waaqa, the creator of the universe who has a power to do and undo everything. Hence, The Oromo have a monotheistic religion.
In Oromo people’s spiritual life, the Qaalluu institution, which is believed to have existed since mythical times, is the granary of the Law of Waaqa. The institution protects and defends the Law of Waaqa at the centre. It preaches every Oromo to follow the Laws in natural order.
Waaqeffanna is the name of Oromo people’s religion that means believe in one God. Consequently, the region of North Africa is not only the cradle of humanity, but also it is the birthplace of the oldest religion of the cushites that existed prior to such monotheistic beliefs like Christianity and Islam. Among others the one and major evidence that confirmed the very cushitic and African mark of the Oromo religion and philosophy is the supremacy it gave and the mighty it attributed to the black and black identity. Black identity is considered as a symbol of holiness and divinity.
Oromo worship one God; and they believe that this God has got ’black color’ similar to that of the Cushites. As a Cushitic and an African, the Oromo nation believes in the divine supremacy of the ’black’ over all other things. Based on its belief in the black color of its Creator, the Oromo nation prays to His Holiness and worships His Almightiness at times and places designated for these purposes.
Oromo worship one God; and they believe that this God has got ’black color’ similar to that of the Cushites. As a Cushitic and an African, the Oromo nation believes in the divine supremacy of the ’black’ over all other things. Based on its belief in the black color of its Creator, the Oromo nation prays to His Holiness and worships His Almightiness at times and places designated for these purposes.
Burton, First Footteps In north_east Africa, Islam. In The Eastern Oromo Country Where The Nole, Jarso, Babile, And Ala Territories Meet, the City Of Harar Become Capital Of Ahmed Granyi in the 16th Century. Under His Successore Nur Ibn Mujahid, In the Middle Of The Century,it Was Surrounding with a wall and become the Chief Center of Islam in The North -East Africa.
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