“If God had not blinded them and willed that certain families or tribes among them should be at war with one another constantly, there would not have been an inch of land in the empire, of which the Oromos were not the masters.”
- Wrote Manoel de Almeida, a jesuite priest visiting Abyssinia in the 1620s.
To learn more about it read
http://www.gadaa.com/EditorialMay2004.html
********************************************
Otherwise there is going to be WAR
Superior and another inferior
Is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned
Everywhere is war, me say war
That until there are no longer first class
And second class citizens of any nation
Until the colour of a man’s skin
Is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes
Me say war
That until the basic human rights are equally
Guaranteed to all, without regard to race
Dis a war
That until that day
The dream of lasting peace, world citizenship
Rule of international morality
Will remain in but a fleeting illusion
To be pursued, but never attained
Now everywhere is war, war
And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes
That hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique,
South Africa sub-human bondage
Have been toppled, utterly destroyed
Well, everywehre is war, me say war
War in the east, war in the west
War up north, war down south
War, war, rumours of war
I like the Equal Housing OpportUNITY sign. It is funny that there is UNITY in the word opportUNITY. This is the way to go. We should not let this opportUNITY pass us by.
if you are allredy crise-crosed f1 generatin, try to adher to the one you see that, it is more dominant phynotypically on your body.choice is know
Ormaan, have you heard of a guy called Obama?
I put the O in Obama.
O’z UP! All day, everyday!
the Equal Housing Opportunity sign i did’t get it what is your point?
^^ The point I’m trying to make with the “equal housing opportunity” sign is: first, we need equality in every sense of the word – whether it is socially, economically, politically, culturally, linguistically, etc.; secondly since Oromia or Ethiopia for that matter is big enough, we could house anyone who wants to take the opportunity for unity. As the first commenter observed, there is unity in the word opportUNITY but if Habeshas let this opportunity pass them by being too chauvinistic and not accepting the first requirment, which is Equality, then we could opt out for an Independent Gadaa Rupublic of Oromia. A lot of Habeshas keep invoking Unity as it is the meanse for everything. Unity could not be the meanse. It could possibly be the end but the meanse should be Freedom, Liberty, Equality, Justice and Democracy which would give us a workable Unity. A building without these pillars is doomed to come crushing when the rain descends and the wind blows.
Oromantic,
First, let me attest my commitment for equality; in it’s every sense, as you put it.
Then, half of the Oromic speakers are Muslims, who prostrate towards Mecca in submission ( Lets us not forget that harargey dialect is different than the other Oromic dialects, besides). How in the hell do you think they let you declare “Gadaa Rebublic.”
As far as their belief dictates, that is “kufur”. And I do not believe they would hesitate to slit your “kafiir throat.”
There is one God and he resides in Arabia. as far as Islam goes, right?
what do you think?
^^ well, this is what I think. You’re painting Muslim Oromos to be against the idea of Gadaa Republic of Oromia which is not true. Whether it is Eastern, Western, Central, Northern or Southern OROMO is ONE. The same way Almighty is ONE.
Allah = God = Waaqa
I agree with this post completely! That doesn’t mean I think a Gedaa repulic would be able to survive (take a look at Eritrea). Even if it did, it’s soils would be pretty bloody and the leaders at an all-rounded war with their new neighbours. Because it’s not just the “abesha” Ethiopians the new republic would have to deal with. I’m 25% oromo, my cousins are 75%, and my uncle-in-law is a 100%. But none of us are crazy about seeing the mother land (with all her problems and imperfections) torn to pieces. I’m afraid we’ll all stand in the way of anyone trying to take my brothers and sisters away, if we must. STILL, and this is more important, Ethiopia is in dire need of equality and democracy, to ALL ethiopians, and that’s what we should fight for; together!!.
By the way, that’s the song that comes to my mind whenever i think of ethnic related clashes.
Hi again guys,
I’ve just posted an article on a book i’ve been reading with regards to the “oromo migration”. I would be honored if you can pay it a visit and leave a comment. The address is: The oromo migration revisited.
WaQni sini yakkenu
)
(yeah, my Latin sucks
LOL the made up story of stupid monks like Bahrey and Aleqa gelemelay demonizing Oromos should not pass as “History”. There was no “Galla migration” but everybody knows that Abyssinians migrated to Ethiopia from Yemen. See the HISTORY page on this site and also this post.
So…
you are alive 
.
Although i wouldn’t call Abba Bahiry “stupid” (Chapter 19, the one i copied as my favorite, shows that he not only saw the truth in the eye, a quality rare in Ethiopians, but actually wrote a “Mezmur’e Kristos” in Ge’ez with as many words and chapters, without missing a line, not one!!, to King David’s Psalms. That, my friend, takes a genius. Ofcourse, genius can be used & abused like everything else) I admit there was a “demonizing” attempt to his writing against the Oromos. Still, isn’t that to be expected of a 16th century Ethiopian ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN monk?! These people still see things in black and white. You are either a “tewahido” believer, or a “menafiQ”.
As to whose version of 16th century Ethiopia’s history is correct (yours or his), I doubt we will ever know, history, like truth, being relative. What matters to me is not who came through where, but where they end up. We are here now, my Oromo brother Whether we like it or not. And trying to do with what we have (for all our benefit) is what a wise person should worry about. I made that post to show how deserving of the name “Oromo” your forefathers and my distant a little removed ancestors were, and to show that I believe there was some truth to the claim that “the abyssinian” rulers (my forefathers and your distant forecousins, perhaps) can’t have been the only people doing the killing, especially when you learn from history that Ethiopian Kings usually assign someone of the people and leave it at that as long as the natives (if we can call them that) are willing to “meGeBer”.
Still, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and post your reply on my blog. How is that?
Aba Bahrey is plain stupid but his idolizers and the parrots that sing his and his friends’ “galla migration from Asia through Madagascar” asinine story are even worse.
Well… I don’t remember Abaa Bahriy saying Oromos migrated from Asia, but the author (Getachew Haile) has gone out of his way to show that he doesn’t think Oromos were “meTe” (stranger, immigrant) in Ethiopia. He ofcourse has proposed all the theories, as any writer should. But he’s put it as his firm believe that the name “Galla” (*crossing myself every time I type that name, Heaven forgive me*) came from a river or mountain called “Gelan” that the Oromos crossed while advancing to the centeral part of Ethiopia. His guess, if i remember correctly, is that they’ve been there all along and the migration was just another nomadic/pastoralist attempt to find land for their pastuers and perhaps a bit more
. When i finished reading the book, I remember thinking how, contrary to today’s politics, this actually doesn’t mean Oromos were more Ethiopian than the rest Ethiopians. I mean, it’s believed 75% of all Ethiopians have an oromo blood in them. A good half of the land is Oromiay’s. And it’s my distant cousins in Ambo who were the first to go enlist in their respective Kebeles when Eritrea invaded Ethiopia (and the only ones to fight off EPRDF’s advance, with success, after their brothers in Gojjam) yet we are told Oromos don’t think themselves as “Ethiopians”. Granted that there are times in which none of us want to be labelled by that term, which is normal in any relationship: be it a love, family or a country (wanting out! getting fucking tired of it all!) how can you and I be sure this “belief” [that oromos never consider themselves Ethiopia] isn’t another one of those propagandas cooked-by-the-elite some group wants us to believe for it’s own benefit? Think about it!! “Hopes of bread that never satisfies” (as your bible would say) is what comes to mind whenever i hear the idea of a Gaddaa Republic. Haven’t we, Ethiopians and/or Oromos, seen enough not to take the words of elites for the word of God? Hadn’t they betrayed us (killed and danced on our grave in some cases) more than once, more than twice?
God, Allah, WaQa, Whoever watch over us all!
Coz nobody else would!
I already refered you to the HISTORY page to see for yourself what your beloved monk wrote about “the Galla migration to Ethiopia” and how “bad these people are” and about the “brutality of their manners” and how “ready they are to kill”. In essence, he is telling or encouraging Abyssinians, as he said in his story, to believe that Oromos are not Ethiopians and migrated from somewhere else. His other monk friends and modern day monks who call themselves professors took his hateful story to the next level by claiming Oromos came from Asia through Madagascar while in reality Oromos are the Kush people that the bible mentions in old Meroe as Ethiopians/Cush people and Abyssinians are the ones who came from Asia, South Arabia, Yemen to be specific. These monks and their followers mastered the art of – I’m sure they call it an art in their absurd world – lying and misrepresenting historical facts. Oromo is Ethiopia but Ethiopia has been in shackles for the past 100 something years by Abyssinians. We’re yearning for FREEDOM from these oppressive system that dehumanize us and exploit us. You don’t need to look further than the “Green Famine” how the minority Tigre regime is starving our people while shipping what is grown in Oromia to Tigray.
As long as you and I agree the people of Tigray (and Amhara, and Wolaita, and Sidamo, and etc) aren’t the enemies of the Oromo people [only their leaders], I have no problem with your view. Governments are nothing but legal bodies with the military under their command filled with individuals mostly serving their own interest. Atleast that’s the case in Africa. The fact that these individuals mostly came from a certain group doesn’t make that group responsible, although it’s gotta be admitted they may have an easier time in governmental offices than most other ethnic groups. Again, the truth in African politics.
Now, i’m going to ask you a difficult question. If you can answer it honestly, I’d be grateful. It’s not an attempt to justify anyone, governments are governments, arch-enemies to their people.
But…
Do you think an Oromo ruler (or regime) would have done better than the “Abyssinian” rulers of past and “Tigre regime” of present?
P.S. I have nothing more to say on Abba Bahriy and his buddies
. I only came across him in the book i mentioned and if a group of people think he’s done them wrong, well.. fuck him!
We’re the people of the Gadaa which is an egalitarian culture and a democratic socio-political system…this culture and socio-political system has been suppressed and rediculed by successive Abyssinian aristocrats and their followers…go figure!
Absheet, thank you. One Ethiopia, one people! Ethiopia does not need more problems the oromo people are as much Ethiopian as the amharas, wurages, tigres and so on. All this migration bs is nothing but western philosophy trying to divide our country. Why cant we Ethiopians live together as one nation if America is living in peace with so money multi nationalities, cultures and beliefs? please lets learn from others. Ethiopia our mother land may the all mighty protect you.
^^ First you said western philosophy is bs and then you contradicted yourself by pointing to America on how to live in a multicultural society.
Can’t you see the difference between “Ehiopia” and America? America is built on the principles of Democracy, Human Rights, Justice and Liberty. On the other hand, Ethiopia was built by force against the will of the ppl and the non habesha people of Ethiopia have been oppressed, subjugated, dehumanized, exploited, marginalized and persecuted for over a century now. We all know the prison speaks Oromiffa and about the human rights abuses and crimes against humanity in Ogaden, Oromia and many part of the country has been reported by many international human rights advocates.
How could we live in a society that doesn’t respect us, that kill our mothers and our youngs?
That is why we like the American Patrick Henry say: Give me LIBERTY, or give me death!
It is better to be dead than to live in this impoverished hell hole called “Ethiopia”.
JUSTICE and LIBERTY for OROMOS!
JUSTICE and LIBERTY for ALL!
if comment abut ethiopia
ethiopia u need justice and liberty and freedm united govermance
u doneed dictator ship wondesen hailemarayam
wondesenhh@googlemail.com
http://www.wondesen.com
You guys are ungreatful to your own brothers who helped you to get rid off paganism, you are ungreatful to the Almighty God who sent those people to you. You are blinded by hatered, you don’t want to see the reality, you decline to accept and love your brothers and sisters. You are on a kamikaze course. If you continue like this in this difficult time, the begining of the end is very near. So much hatred is good for nothing!
Hi Tezera!
Just because we were not worshiping a mideastern “God” when you found us, it doesn’t mean we were pagans. Abyssinians calling us that we are cultureless and uncivilized people without history and religion shows that you are ethnocentrists. You’re not any more civilized than us. We had our own history, civilization, culture and religion. Our forefathers followed a Waaqeffannaa belief system before Abyssinians came and imposed Christianity on us by burning down our sacred worship and ritual places to build their own churches.
And you still want us to be grateful to your “kindness”?
The majority of Oromos have rejected your Orthodox religion which is the right hand of the expansionist Abyssinians. Most have chosen Islam while others accepted protestanism that was brought to them by missionaries. However, there are still many who adhere to their forefathers’ spirituality called – Waaqeffannaa.
Please don’t accuse us of hate. You hated us and oppressed us for over a century and we’re demanding what is fair and what is just. If you think that is hatrade so be it.
soon ethiopia uneed united govermance and fror ethiopian all people
justice and liberty and freedm uneed now be united
ethiopia udoneed dictator ship liek meles zenawi killer blood suker most go way justice and librty for oromos people
justice and librty for all ethiopian people
Ungreatful? I don’t remember the last time someone was greatful for being oppressed. Those who supposidly freed us from paganism did everything but exceplify chrisitianity which is why my brothers and sister have turned from christianity. Those who were blessed with the gospel first mishandled the responsiblilty and now have blood on their hands.
Guys, why do we fight in a work that is too old and simple. Today, the rest of the world is rewriting history based on DNA findings. Bahery and his school of thought followers should look the world in different perspective.
Basically, Oromos have a high percentage of E3b1 which is common from east Africa to north European. We should study the oromo migration to Gallic (modern day France and central Europe.) That would make our intellect to grow.
Wasting time on works of quasi-intellectual works which is biased in most case causes harm rather than peace both for this and the coming generation.
we are one ethiopian we are one people if you want or not, can any body tell me if he is 100% orromo 100% amhara or 100% tigre.even hailesilase was half orromo. my father is from amhara his mother gurage my mother oromo. i fight for equality. i don’t agree with OLF because fighting to libret the majority (orromos) from the minority(amharas, tigres, gurages) the orromos have to be on the top poleticaly economicaly in ethiopia. just like mengistu time
According to the recent statistics oromos are 25 million, non-Oromos 50 million. Ironically the Oromia map crafted by OLF covers more than 75% of Ethiopia. I wonder how the Oromo people manage to secure such coverage of land!! I don’t care what happened for the last one or two or three hundreds years. What happened is natural and happened with in the times socio-poletics environment. That socio-poletics dynamics have resulted in the current Ethiopia we know. Trying to impose such a map and to declare independent oromia will be bloody. We are mixed now. We can’t undo things to the last 2 or 3 hundred status because no one knows for sure how was things by that time. History is according to the historians, Can’t be proved.
What help all of us is to accept Ethiopia as it is now, build a free, democratic, and just system in which the languges and cultures of all rspected and developed while every citizen can live and work any where he wish being equal before the law with out fear and descrimination.
As Obama said there is no red states or blue states, but the United states of America. Can’t we learn from America??
Look guys, my name is Siraw Yirdaw, 49 yrs old, my mom’s and dad’s roots are all Amhara(Gojam). I lived with the whole family till I was 18. I had been to spritual school first and to scientific school next. Then one of my distant family member fed toxic [MeDiHaNit] anothe one of our family member for simply the toxicated one was living a better life than the toxifying one.Then toxifying one secretly told me that he himself did that and warned me to keep it between us.Then the actoin I took was just got up the next night and go to some where I didn’t know and never get back. Yes, I did then ended up in eastern Shoa, Bushoftu, where the OROMOs respectfuly acepted me to live with them, let me take my education farther way, where I lived almost the same years I lived with my “families”, ofcurse with no toxifying acts, from where I got an opportunity to directly come to USA 2 yrs ago with out going back to Gojam.
So….. I am not ascientist, nither polotician, but with a very shalow perpective I have for this world, I would say we Habashas in general are evil, I would say Oromos haven’t hate us as much they suposed to, rather they fed us, I would say Oromos are the most humble people under the Sun. So, to let them and the other world live with us we have to eradicate our evilc sprit.
Finally, I would say Oromos deserve indipendence,and I think they will get it some day tomorow, if not today.
You may ask me whether I have communication with my “families” or not. I would replay “YES”, with my OROMO families. I am spritualy and perspectively Oromo,forget about my blood.
That is all…………………………
Here it is Oromantic,
I didn’t do anything to Oromos neither did people of any single ethnic group. You misguided fuckers need to get over the godamn past and start dealing with the governance issue at hand. You keep preaching this OROMO MAJORITY SHALL RULE or OROMIA crap with disregard to the reality on the ground.
I didn’t benefit anything from any government. So deal with the governments. Thanks to assholes like you I’m now beginning to get paranoid. There used to be time when I thought we were all in it together, but thanks to people like you I am beginning to realize I am counted as an enemy on more than one corner–for nothing else aside from my ethnicity.
I am against any sort of oppression including one this government is committing, and yes people of Oromo ethnicity are being jailed and killed. I do what I can to ensure this corrupt government comes down but I don’t cry for those people because they were Oromos. It is because I consider them my countrymen period.
You start totting that BULLSHIT map of Oromia around guess what, there will be bloodbath and YOU will be responsible. Its bad enough we have to deal with so many other crisis now there will be ethnic war. I assure you, THERE IS NO WAY your little map will be implemented without bloodbath. You know that but you don’t care because you will be somewhere else safe and cozy.
Thanks to people like you I am beginning to identify myself in terms of my ethnicity UNWILLINGLY. I’d rather consider myself as an Ethiopian but now I think maybe I and my ethnic group is napping while all along we should be getting ready for a possible war.
PS: Look where the victim mentality took ‘Eritreans.’ Watch their bullshit story unravel.
Nibo, it doesn’t have to go down that road where war becomes our remedy for every ill in our society. If we could agree on the fact that Oromos have been marginalized from the political process from the start, our culture has been suppressed by the more dominant Amhara culture, our natural resources have been exploited and our people are being inhumanly treated on a daily basis, then what we want you to do is not to fight us. You should be more understanding and try to come up with solutions that would work for all of us without overstepping on any one else’s right.
LIBERTY and JUSTICE for ALL!
I don’t think so, Oromantic.
I don’t know if you feel Oromo people are hated by Amhara, but right now I feel Amhara people are hated and blamed by Oromo people.
You know Oromantic, I used to say the writer of “Ye Burqa Zimita” wrote that book to deepen ethnic division and increase hatred towards Amara. Then I heard some of his interviews, and inevitably he had to answer to the allegation he wrote that book to incite/fuel ethnic violence.
When the interviewer posed that question for him, Tesfaye said “Abebe, do you speak Oromigna?” and Abebe said “No”, and Tesfaye said “That’s the problem. I wrote only the things and sentiments I heard and saw myself traveling among the Oromo population.” While I don’t buy this at face value, I am inclined to believe it because rarely do I hear the name Amhara being raised in positive light. Even abroad I’ve bumped on a few individuals who give me the evil eye because I asked “Are you Habesha?”. There used to be time when I had to adjust from asking “Are you Ethiopian?” to “Are you Habesha?” because I kept running into hate from ‘Eritreans.’ But soon I also realized I can’t ask that modified version of the question because Oromos take offense. I mean…GODDAMN.
Inside Ethiopia there are places I can’t even go to because I am Amhara now. Do you understand this? There are businesses that will not serve me, or crowds that could fuck me up because I am Amhara. I know for a fact I will never go to Wollega. Even the universities etc are divided along ethnic lines, with Oromo student cliques refusing to speak “Amharic” and preferring English to communicate with those that can’t speak Oromiffa (did I say that right?). So the ‘understanding’ you speak of doesn’t exist. That’s the state we’re in.
Things have gotten to the point that it doesn’t matter what the history of the region is. The hate towards Amhara is real and current (by both Tigre and Oromos). It is hard to deny this (can you?). It has been a while since it no longer matters (or did it ever?) that elites/politicans/dictators inflict oppression and destruction. Whatever ethnic group the ruling party is made of, that ethnic group is blamed for their actions. The Tigre people are finding that out now the hard way, in a way their own mistake of blaming the people is coming back to haunt them (not that it stops them from still blaming and demonizing Amhara).
Added with the current government’s policy of putting ethnicity on identity papers, who is to say another Rwanda will not happen in Ethiopia? And where do you think all that hate is going to be directed towards? The fact that resources are low in this world and population growing and so many outside influences eying Africa with hunger is not going to make this situation any easier. You don’t know who’s doing what for what purpose. Shameless politicians do anything to gain support of people even if it means milking the Amhara/Neftegna/Adgi cow. I think the Eritreans fell big time for that, and are now paying the price for blindly following their propaganda driven emotions.
I am sorry to say I am not optimistic. You can believe all you want about justice and equality but that can never happen while demonizing Amharas. In people’s mind Amhara is drawn akin to Nazis. I partially blame you and other irresponsible individuals. I blame the government. I blame political parities with embarrassingly short sight. I blame the so called educated assholes who don’t have the capacity to encompass relevant and period specific international/regional factors etc…and yet, with full confidence, declare THEY KNOW IT ALL. Thank you assholes! Fuck us up some more.
The sum of all this is victim mentality, inability to distinguish elites from mass, and past from present. I do feel where you are coming from Oromantic (I think I do). I don’t think your writing is anything more than asking for recognition of the past and asking for justice and equality. But in terms of how you come out and the effects thereafter, your articles are incomplete and far too short of promoting peace and equality.
PS: I grew up during dergue, and they actively taught us that everybody should be equal. Ask the children of any ‘Free Oromia’ family what they understand about Amhara and prove me wrong.
Nibo, the reason why Habeshas always mistaken our just cause for hatred is just beyond me. Maybe it is an attempt to evade responsibility for past wrongdoings. Instead of admitting past wrongdoings and working for reconciliation and fresh start, you guys keep harping about our alleged victim mentality like we are still not being systematically and overtly victimized. Trust me, we are perfectly capable of distinguishing the past from the present and the elites from the mass. The problem is if you can’t learn from the past which most Habeshas seem haven’t yet, you’re most likely to repeat it all over again. The cultural domination, the economic exploitation, the political marginalization and dehumanization of Oromos are still persistent in Ethiopian society as they were a century ago. So, I suggest you look inward to make some socio-political shift in the right direction than coming here to blame the victim. To be honest, what you’re doing is nothing but adding insult to injury.
About the reaction you receive from Eritreans when you ask them if they are Ethiopians or from Oromos when you ask them if they are Abeshas, you shouldn’t label that hatred – you just need to be politically correct and understand what “Habesha” stands for before throwing it around like a hello.
May be the only thing that I agree with from your long comment is this quoted statement. “I don’t think your writing is anything more than asking for recognition of the past and asking for justice and equality.”
Yes, that is all I’m doing right now – to initiate discussion. How could we bring justice? I believe that is an important question and we need to work on that after coming to agreement with what problems we are facing right now. But so far like you said and I quote “So the ‘understanding’ you speak of doesn’t exist. That’s the state we’re in.” I have to agree with that one too when you ask me
– “Oromiffa (did I say that right?)”. You’re not even sure what Oromo’s language is called let alone understanding our history and our daily trial and tribulations.
How about that as your starting point and we’ll discuss the rest in due time.
Again, you keep going back to that “us” and “them” thing.
“…the reason why Habeshas always mistaken our just cause for hatred is just beyond me. Maybe it is an attempt to evade responsibility for past wrongdoings.”
Tell me, exactly who are these Habeshas? Who is attempting responsibility? That’s where my point is. Do you hold me responsible for what happened in the past? Do you hold responsible the Amhara people for what happened in the past? Let’s clear that up.
“…We perfectly capable of distinguishing the past from the present and the elites from the mass. The problem is if you can’t learn from the past which most Habeshas seem haven’t yet, you’re most likely to repeat it all over again.
Me and you disagree, even as far as the past is concerned, it was not the Amhara people that hurt Oromo people, it is elites and politicians and their followers at that time. To me that’s lack of insight into the wide gap between the _people_ and those in power (true to this day).
But forget that, what does this have to do with me now, especially since I hadn’t grown up with that mentality? What does all that have to do with the generation at hand? When you say most Habeshas haven’t learned from the past what Habeshas are you referring to?
Another thing, do you really believe if the situation was turned around people of Oromo background would have done any different? I don’t think so, because the time was different so were the factors surrounding life during those years. But of course it is easy to assume Oromo would have done better after the fact. The ‘Eritreans’ thought they were so separate and better human beings absolutely ignoring the forces acting on that part of the world. After all that bullshit and ‘hade libi hade hizbi- awet nhafash’ bs their own GOD like leader is crushing them worse than any ‘Ethiopian’ has ever done.
“…Nibo, the reason why Habeshas always mistaken our just cause for hatred is just beyond me.”
By the way, the more I look into this whole situation, the more I wonder what you mean by “us” and “them.” But you must have missed my entire ranting on how your “just cause” cause is is manifesting in real life. The HATE is real. So, do you think it is justified that I fear for my life in, say, Wollega? Is it justified I be refused service because of the language I speak? Can’t you see that’s where the country is going? OR are you going to tell me this is what has been happening to the Oromo people all along and I am just now beginning to experience it? It goes back to that part where I WILL NOT suffer because people have it in their head that I am responsible for whatever happened in the past.
In the end it comes down to me and you, so tell me. You can’t go on saying Abeshas or Abyssinians or Amharas, or Ethiopians without going through me. Of course it doesn’t matter that my family is mixed up with other ethnic backgrounds including Tigre and Oromo. My identity paper says Amhara, so here I am.
“Oromiffa (did I say that right?)”. You’re not even sure what Oromo’s language is called let alone understanding our history and our daily trial and tribulations.”
I know what the Oromo language is called, Oromigna. I also know it is called Afan Oromo. Oromiffa I wasn’t sure about. Don’t be so quick to judge.
Anyway, inshallah. Let me know what you think.
PS: Dehumanization, exploitation, political marginalization, are on my list of things to fight against on principle. I mean this, regardless of any status you put on a person (age, race, religion, ethnicity, political views etc). Criminals should be brought to justice as well. I don’t think any sane person can argue with any of the above. But people hard lining along one aspect (ethnicity for instance) completely distorts the picture and changes the tone. Not well rounded at all.
At least you believe the “elites” were responsible for the past. If the elites, those whose society looks up to them, are like that, what hope is there for the masses? Aren’t the elites the product of that society? Aren’t their followers and foot soldiers part of that very society? No matter which way you want to dissect it, there is a fundamental problem there. Of course, we can’t generalize and put the blame on the whole society because each society has it’s own good and bad. However, for whatever happened in the past, there are those who are responsible and we, as a society, need to work on bringing change to that society that was indoctrinated in looking at Oromos and other southerners as their subjects. The past is past, we could only learn from it. What we should all be concerned is our current troubling situation. You thanked me because you just realized that you’re an Amhara. Are you listening to yourself? LOL! Maybe you never thought of yourself as an Amhara because being Ethiopian meant nothing other than being Amhara for you guys. You want everyone to speak Amharic and live according to Amhara customs. When others give in to your demands for the sake of keeping the peace and start talking in your language leaving theirs to be forgotten, you ridicule them by calling them “tebtaba galla” and throwing around other demeaning terms. Aren’t those things common in that society? And you wonder why you’re not welcome in Oromia? Ha! Let me spell it to you like Aretha Franklin…the magic word is R.E.S.P.E.C.T. You could only earn it. Take a lesson from tourists … if tourists don’t show appreciation to the natives’ culture, if they don’t treat the native people they’re visiting with dignity and also go to such places not for the right reason, no society on earth would be hospitable to them. That is just human nature. And if you get a bad reputation once, that would make things difficult for you for a while till you could prove yourself to be changed. As an elitist yourself, maybe you should work on bringing that change starting from yourself.
Of course, elites have been the problem ever since.
No you cannot hold the people responsible for the actions of the few with the rifles, because that rifle kills all humans regardless of ethnicity. When you talk about the destructive actions of those with rifles, you focus on Oromos. This is off the scale and draws a completely distroted image of elites. The fact has and will always be they will put down anybody regardless of thier ethnicity, or what have you. By looking at only that piece of the image you are cheating yourself out of realization that has direct implication on building grounds for a better future.
When I thanked you for reminding me that I am Amhara I am talking about becoming that person which you have in your head. As much as you want to believe it, I say this again: Ethiopia has NEVER EVER been in my heead what you call Amhara. I had always viewed all those peoples of the country as Ethiopians, and Amhara only being one of that group. We (my generation) were raised to accept everybody with respect.
What do you mean “you want everybody to live according to Amhara customs”? I want to know who are you talking about!!! We keep missing each other on this…who do you have in your mind…such ignorant image of people? Who are these Amhara people? That’s what I don’t get. The Amhara people neither have the power nor the need to make everybody live like Amhara. Are you reffering to the elites again?
You once again have not been able to distinguish between elites and masses/past and present. If Afan Oromo was not allowed to be spoken in public then reffer to the officials who came up with that rule. Suerly the people of Ethiopia were not asked if they want such law. Why is it so hard for you to accept these politicians don’t represent the people? Is it because it will bring down your imaginary common enemy?
I had not been the enemy, neither have the mass. Your distorted views and actions is working every bit with TPLF’s government to destroy that sense of unity me and others have had.
I have never called anybody “tebtaba galla” or anything remotely close to that. Who is throwing around the galla word? Who do you have in your head? What proof do you have that the people have such views you describe? How much experience do you have living among the people in Ethiopia (the real common people).
Demeaning of anybody’s culture/language/religion etc is a crime and should be fought against. That’s a fact. Oromo is not an exception. While you are at it, aren’t you portraying the Amhara people as evil and greedy through your descriptions and accuations? You think that’ll make any change??? Why is it hard for you to look at yourself?
“And if you get a bad reputation once, that would make things difficult for you for a while till you could prove yourself to be changed. As an elitist yourself, maybe you should work on bringing that change starting from yourself.”
Here’s my point, I don’t have to prove anything to you or to anybody. I will reject this evil identity you portray of the Amhara people. At the same time I will prepare for what may come, as an Amhara. Respect goes both ways. I am here telling you I am changing for the worse and you are not appreciating the good way I have been raised. You are not appreciating the realities of the actual people, you are just busy demonizing the Amhara people.
As an elitiest yourself, maybe you should look at yourself as well. Take your own advice. I will not take the blame for what others have done in the past or present. I seriously doubt Ethiopia will exist soon. If there’s no stake in Ethiopia for you then there’s none in it for me. It’ll all be a beautiful memory, just like Tilahun.
^^ You asked “What do you mean “you want everybody to live according to Amhara customs”? I want to know who are you talking about!!! We keep missing each other on this…who do you have in your mind…such ignorant image of people? Who are these Amhara people? That’s what I don’t get.”
Really?! You don’t get that?! Is that supposed to be a rhetorical question or you expect me to answer that? You said earlier you’re an Amhara but you’re asking me now who these Amhara ppl are? You see the red herring in your argument? What is even funnier is the unnecessary name calling and you painting me as a crazy person with imaginary enemies. LOL
As you admitted you still don’t get it so I’ll repeat myself. I’m not blaming any specific group of ppl but I’m against any form of organized or otherwise unfair treatment and injustice against any group of ppl. You could interpret it as a clash of ideas. I am for Liberty and Justice; but I’m against oppression and exploitation.
In your concluding remark you said you’re changing for the worst. Frankly speaking, that is the dumbest thing I heard in a while. Excuse my language there. You think that would help? Why would anybody want to change for the worst? LMAO You see, that is where your problem lies. Instead of changing for the better, you want to change for worse. Go ahead try it if you will but I seriously hope you come to your senses and try to see if there is anything that could be improved.
We, on our part, are always striving to change for the better.
“We keep missing each other on this…who do you have in your mind…such ignorant image of people? ” should read “image of ignorant people.” I was hoping you’d catch that, not intended as name calling to you. I do not mean to paint you as a crazy person. You have enemies, I just think you have the right one in mind.
“You don’t get that?! Is that supposed to be a rhetorical question or you expect me to answer that? ” Who are these Amhara people?
I keep asking you because I have rarely met people who look down on Oromos, and even less so in the newer generations (born during dergue and later). This is let alone to oppress them.
“I’m not blaming any specific group of ppl but I’m against any form of organized or otherwise unfair treatment and injustice against any group of ppl.”
Okay. These are your sentences throughout our conversation.
–”…the reason why Habeshas always mistaken our just cause for hatred is just beyond me. Maybe it is an attempt to evade responsibility for past wrongdoings.Instead of admitting past wrongdoings and working for reconciliation and fresh start, you guys keep harping about our alleged victim mentality like we are still not being systematically and overtly victimized.”
Who are the Habeshas? When you say “you guys” what do you mean?
–”… And if you get a bad reputation once, that would make things difficult for you for a while till you could prove yourself to be changed.”
You wrote this in response to me pointing out how I, as an Amhara, can’t get service in the Oromo region. It is easy to follow your logic. Amhara people oppressed Oromos, therefore it is no wonder Oromos react in such ways. The solution is for Amhara people to change their views on Oromo people. Loaded as it is, it really looks like you are blaming a specific group here, doesn’t it?
*–”..Maybe you never thought of yourself as an Amhara because being Ethiopian meant nothing other than being Amhara for you guys. You want everyone to speak Amharic and live according to Amhara customs. When others give in to your demands for the sake of keeping the peace and start talking in your language leaving theirs to be forgotten, you ridicule them by calling them “tebtaba galla” and throwing around other demeaning terms. Aren’t those things common in that society?”
Here it is again. Need I say more? You still say you’re not blaming specific groups?
So let me ask you a question. Do you take responsibility for tens of thousands of Amharas murdered in Bedeno? Arba Gugu? Kombolcha? Should I blame the Oromo people for that? Your logic dicates that I do. How do you justify those, and how come you don’t talk about those?
And that’s what I mean I’m changing for the worst. It seems to have escaped your mind that there are direct consequences to this blame game. Not for one second are you taking yourself as an individual, claiming this Oromo righteousness as if god made “you” as perfect. Not anywehre in your blog do you explain the dangers for the region that comes from elites indoctrinating the masses, nor from the incomplete view of ethnocentrism.
Rwanda did happen, and I really doubt we are any different. There’s always a threashhold. Come to think of it you are by no means extreme, but how can you not aknowledge the hate and demonization that is going on towards Amhara and now Tigres? No where on your blog do you do that. So many of my questions you’ve shrugged off, I don’t know why. How many of the Oromos you know view Amharas in good light? Tell me the truth.
By changing for the worst I mean I am being drawn into this self protection mentality, and people are doing that more and more. Can’t you seriously see that? I have always reffered to myself as an individual, but I’ll start reffering myself as part of the Amhara people, and I’ll say WE. That’s what you do, isn’t it? So here it is.
–We see the direct consequences of the blame and demonization of the Amhara people. We, the Amhara people, have been used as the scape goat by ruling parties and elites of other ethnic groups. The result of this demonization has been the murder and imprisonment and political marginalization of our people. We the Amhara people understand the hate that’s being spread against us unfairly could eventually result an outright move to exterminate us. While we believe in holding individuals responsible for their actions, we REJECT ANY accusation and blame, past and present, from any other ethnic group or political organization. We, the Amhara people, will work with other ethnic groups ONLY as long as the hate campaign is stopped thereby guaranteeing our safety as people in all corners of Ethiopia. –
In other words, unless you start aknowledging the unfairness of this demonization, we have nothing to talk about.
By the way, I appreciate the dicussion and I apologize if I sounded disrespectful by using curse words. That was not my intention. I still seriously believe you’re after fair treatment, equality, and justice (for Oromo people) but you seem to have lost sight of what’s hapenning to the other side.
Your gross exaggeration and outright lie sounds like something right out of your half-ass propaganda booklet. Are you serious about tens of thousands of Amharas being murdered? Don’t get me started on Amhara “demonization” and “extermination”. That is laughable! You obviously are not ready for honest discussions, so there is no point for me spending my valuable time on this back and forth.
I actually didn’t expect that from you. You basically retreated when confronted with tough questions. I think you know about those massacres of Amharas, you just don’t want to talk about them because they’re in direct conflict of your reality. I say this because it is easy to find the facts with little research. It doesn’t matter. You may not deal with me here, but I am who you have to deal with in the end, I am the face of Amhara.
Take care.
TOUGH QUESTION pffft! LMAO Please try again lol and next time try to have the least grain of honesty and hard facts before you start sounding off!
You just opened yourself a humongous can of worms. With what moral ground dare Amharas accuse us of massacre and extermination when their elites haven’t even manned up yet to apologize for the extermination of Oromos in their war of conquest?
Unlike you, I present you with facts.
Source
Source
Now, go ahead and deny or as you customarily do “reject” this history of ours.
Oromos strongly believe in the age old adage that goes “Two wrongs don’t make a right”. If we didn’t, trust me, things would have been a lot different. That is why even in your songs you sing of our “deginet” and “yewahnet“.
It is undeniable fact that during the transition period in 1992, EPRDF incited ethnic violence and blamed it on OLF thinking that will tarnish OLF’s image. The purpose of EPRDF’s diabolical plan was two fold. The first one was to pit Oromos and Amharas against each other thereby extending their stay in power while being a minority. The second one was to discredit OLF among its base constituency and in front of the international world when OLF decided to leave the transitional government. The number of killings in different parts of Oromia during that time is no where close to what you’re suggesting here but loss of even a single innocent life is very unfortunate. EPRDF has killed more demonstrators in Finfinnee in one day than what their misguided OPDO surrogates did in months time.
For the last time I say this: if Menilik conquered, exterminated, or put to servitude millions of Oromos through war, then go gripe to Menilik. If you have issues with Hailesilase, by all means deal with him. It will not change the fact the Amhara people (or any other people) have nothing to do with it then, and most certainly now. There’s not a goddamn reason why me or my family should get murdered because you blame us for what we didn’t do.
And of course, when it actually comes down to the current condition of Amhara people you blame it on OPDO/EPRDF. Once again you (OLF) is holy. Nobody buys that bullshit.
You keep hiding the fact to yourself, if that serves you an comfort. 10s of thousands of Amharas were slaughtered because of people like you. YES this is a fact. YES there were children and entire families. YES they were shot, burned, and hacked. YES men were castrated and pregnant women’s bellies opened. YES people were thrown off cliffs. YES your OLF played the major part in those. What is it, is that too much for you to accept?
And no, I will not blame the Oromo people. I will blame you other Oromos who live abroad and care not a single iota for the consequences of their hate political tactics.
It doesn’t matter. We will handle whatever comes. As far as I am concerned this conversation is over.
Peace be with you.
^^ With that kind of attitude, I assure you that you would not move an inch forward.
OROMIA SHALL BE FREE!
Oromantic,
now you did good. I like the tree inside Ethio tree. Remember this Ethio. flag has history it is the history against Italian fascism, Africa Union and dignity for all. It is not something that you just change it because you feel like it. Haven’t you not see the flags of the same ones in other parts of Africa that is similar? It is funny, Jamaicans respect the flag more than OLF how embarassing.
Fighting multiclass citizenship by becoming first class citizen? Now what is right with that?