"Oromummaa" (Oromo-ness) is central to contemporary Oromo identity, rooted in traditional institutions like the Gadaa system and Safuu. This study examines its historical development, political articulation, and regional implications.
Evolving from pre-colonial frameworks, Oromummaa is central to modern Oromo nationalist movements, including the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the Qeerroo youth movement. It also reinforces identity and enables transnational activism in the diaspora.
The term combines "Oromo" with "-ummaa" (meaning "-ness"), expressing Oromo identity, culture, and worldview. Historically, these cultural frameworks governed community relations and spiritual life. Oromummaa is a revival of pre-existing identity structures.
The late nineteenth century saw violent integration of Oromo regions, leading to marginalization. The OLF, formed in 1973, emphasized a unified national identity, framing the Oromo struggle as anti-colonial.
Sociologist Asafa Jalata defined Oromummaa as a civilizational and political project rooted in indigenous Oromo values, the ideological core of the Oromo national movement. It unifies Oromo communities, centering collective memory and cultural continuity.
Movements like Qeerroo used Oromummaa as a rallying cry, influencing Ethiopian politics. It has catalyzed a cultural revival, with diaspora communities internationalizing the Oromo struggle.
While framed as inclusive, Oromummaa is perceived by some as exclusionary, leading to territorial disputes. Eritrea is skeptical of Ethiopia's ethnic federalism. The future depends on whether Oromummaa is inclusive or exclusive.
Oromummaa encapsulates the aspirations of the Oromo people, with the potential to unify and offer a democratic vision of federalism.