We believe Oromos and Oromo people's Identity are an asset to this world. The Oromo people have several recorded and unrecorded art, history, and culture that are worth telling the world. We respect other people's identity and hope others do the same for us. 

 The Irreechaa Ceremony Is Oromo ThanksgivingEach September, millions of the Oromo people gather on the shores of Hora Harsade (Lake Harsadi or Arsadi) for the Irreechea Ceremony. The meaning of the ceremony is to give thanks and to pray to Waaqa (God). Many Oromo people practice monotheism, and the Irreechaa ritual ceremony is believed to be one of the oldest forms of monotheism in Africa. There are two types of Irreechaa ceremonies: Irreechaa Tulluu (Irreecha on a mountain) and Irreechaa Malkaa (Irreechaa on a river). Irreechaa Tulluu is practiced on top of mountains and hills during the dry season. It is usually performed in March. Irreechaa Malkaa is celebrated either near a local body of water or at Lake Arsadi in Bishoftu which is located about 45 km from the capital of Oromia, Finfinnee."By Maia Nikitina 

 The Oromo People Created One Of The Earliest Democracies

The traditional Oromo society is structured according to the Gadaa system, also spelled as Gada. The system is considered to be one of the earliest democratic societies in the world and is based on an 8-yearly election of all political, military, economic, religious, and social administration. The society has five classes with one fulfilling the function of the ruling class; this changes every 8 years. Each class progresses through a number of grades before it can participate in authority.A Gadaa election is preceded by a campaign. One of the basic rules of the Gadaa is that a father and his son are always exactly five grades apart, which is always forty years. This means that the Gadaa class incorporates people of various ages.  

While the Oromo people share a common language (Afaan Oromo) and cultural identity, there's a rich tapestry within the Oromo society. Here are five key aspects of Oromo identity:

1. Lineage and Clan (Qabiila): The Oromo society traditionally places a high value on lineage and belonging to a specific clan (Qabiila). The clan system plays a significant role in social organization, conflict resolution, and even marriage arrangements. There are numerous Oromo clans, each with its own history and traditions.
2. Religion: The Oromo people adhere to various religions, including Islam and Christianity. A significant portion also practices indigenous beliefs centered around a supreme being called Waaqa. Historically, religious identity has been somewhat fluid, with some Oromo groups converting between religions throughout the centuries.
3. Region: The Oromo people live across a vast geographical area, primarily concentrated in Ethiopia but with populations also found in Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea. This geographical spread has led to regional variations in dialect, customs, and even attire.
4. Occupation: Traditionally, the Oromo people have been pastoralists, raising livestock and living a semi-nomadic life. However, with modernization, many Oromos have adopted settled agricultural practices or moved to urban centers for work and education.
5. Oromummaa: This concept refers to a sense of Oromo national identity and unity. It gained traction in the 20th century during struggles for self-determination and cultural preservation. Oromummaa emphasizes the shared heritage and history of the Oromo people.

Oromo Culture Institute of Minnesota dedicated its time and resources to creating the opportunity to learn and teach Oromo culture, arts, and history. OCIM will focus on collecting, preserving, and teaching Oromo culture and history under one umbrella.

Who is Oromo? Please click the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISaPHcNnx00&ab_channel=RakGhana

Ali Bira's top messages 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItEM6z1GGkg&ab_channel=EthioTop10_%E1%88%9D%E1%88%AD%E1%8C%A510

Oromo Classical Music 

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gKMbPtyCSM&ab_channel=KNB

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJGjykHZnhI&ab_channel=MaayaaMedia

Ali Birra (born Ali Mohamed Musa; September 29, 1950 – November 6, 2022) was an Ethiopian singer widely regarded as the most popular Oromo musician of all time. He was also influential in other regions of Ethiopia and beyond. [Image of Ali Birra, Ethiopian singer]

Birra was born in Dire Dawa, eastern Ethiopia. He began singing and dancing at a young age and joined his first band, Urji Bakalcha (later renamed AfranQallo), at the age of 13. His stage name, Ali Birra, comes from a song he performed with the band called "Birradha Bari'e."

Birra's music addressed social and political issues, particularly those affecting the Oromo people. He sang in Afan Oromo, Amharic, Harari, Arabic, and Somali. His 1973 album, Abba Laffa (meaning "Landlord"), is considered the first ever released recording of Oromo music.

Birra continued to perform and record music throughout his career, releasing over 250 songs. He received a number of awards, including the Toronto African Merits Award in 1995 and honorary doctorates from Jimma University in 2010 and Dire Dawa University in 2019.

Birra died on November 6, 2022, at the age of 72. He is remembered as a legend of Ethiopian music and a powerful voice for the Oromo people.

OCIM carefully understands and recognizes cultural diversities. We are determined to get the best out of the societal dynamic and diversity we live in. We offer a wide range of programs and events, including art classes, music performances, film screenings, and cultural festivals. Check out our calendar to see what's coming up!

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The Oromo Written Language Is One Of The Youngest In The World

The Oromo language was banned in Ethiopia for many years, and forbidden from being used in schools and the public sphere. In 1991, the language was allowed again. In the early 1970s, the Oromo Liberation Front decided on the Latin alphabet as the official script for the Oromo language. It is also sometimes written in the Arabic script, as well as the Ge’ez script and the Shaykh Bakri Sapalo orthography. The Oromo writing system based on the Roman alphabet is called Qubee. Due to the political situation that affected the Oromo language for a long time, it is one of the youngest languages in the world to become a written language.

Speakers of all variations of Oromo can easily understand each other, although the relatively late development of the writing system means that there are some differences in written dialects as the writing system is not fully standardized across all of the Oromo languages.

Oromian Literature Was Mostly Oral Until the 1970s

The Oromos have a rich oral literary tradition which is expressed through various songs for all life eventualities, as well as poems, proverbs, and storytelling.

Since being allowed again, the language has experienced a literary revival, with popular plays, novels, and short stories published in the Oromo language. Dhaabaa Wayyessaa’s play Dukanaan Duuba (Beyond the Darkness), propelled the playwright and novelist to national fame in the early 1990’s. Another good example of Oromo’s development as a literary language is Gaaddisaa Birru’s novel Kuusaa Gaddoo.

Most Oromos Live In Rural Areas

Around 90 percent of Oromia’s population is employed in agriculture, producing coffee, pulses, oil, and animal products such as hides and skins.