Oromia Today

Independent Voice of Oromia

The ‘Nine Lives’ of Oromo Literacy - Qubee and the Birth of a Generation - Part II

18. September 2017 Administrator History (0)
Defying a Tradition that Demonizes Our Identity, Our Language and Alphabet

18 September 2017 

By Mekuria Bulcha, Professor

In this second part of the article, I will briefly describe the resurrection of Oromo literacy in Oromia in the early 1990s and the opposition and skepticism with which the Latin alphabet, qubee, used in Oromo literacy, was met from the Orthodox clergy and the Habesha elite. After briefly introducing the radical changes brought about by the Oromo adoption of the qubee alphabet and the implementation of the use of Afaan Oromo, I will explore the anti-qubee and Afaan Oromoo feelings which were reactivated after the Oromo uprising in November 2015. It is important to note that, although the use the qubee alphabet in Oromo literacy was adopted by the Oromo people in 1991, there are groups who still today, in 2017, are opposing the Oromo right to write their language in an alphabet of their choice. Most Oromos dismiss the opposition of these groups as nonsensical and unworthy of attention.[1] However, ignoring it is not an option. There are a couple of reasons which, in my view, make countering the anti-qubee discourse a necessity. To begin with, any discourse that downplays a people’s right to develop and use their language violates human rights, and should be countered. Secondly, a discourse that distorts and demonizes the adoption of the qubee alphabet as a reflection of Oromo hate against the Ge’ez alphabet or fidel and Amhara culture, as many of the opponents’ comments are saying, is a sinister distortion intended to plant mistrust between the Oromo people and their neighbors. Such a discourse should be exposed and countered before it would cause serious conflicts and damages. It is said ‘Tell your story, otherwise someone else will tell it differently.’ Taking that advice into account, I will try, in this and a forthcoming third part of this article, to answer the questions, “Why are they opposing the qubee after more than two decades of silence? Why are the Oromo singled out for an attack while there are many other Cushitic-speaking peoples who have also adopted the Latin alphabet? Who are the authors of the articles and commentaries that oppose the qubee alphabet? In addition, the article will examine the ideology that underpins the opposition against the Oromo language in general, and use of the qubee in particular. Before proceeding to that, a brief overview of the spontaneous reception of the qubee alphabet by the Oromo nation and the opposition and skepticism of the Abyssinian clergy elite in the early 1990s is in order. [More]

The ‘Nine Lives’ of Oromo Literacy:  Qubee and the Birth of a Generation

16. July 2017 Administrator History (1)
Part I

By Mekuria Bulcha, Professor
15 July 2017

The qubee [the Oromo alphabet], in providing an instrumental means to modern communication, has itself become highly symbolic of the legitimacy and authority of Oromo in the modern learning environment. Juxtaposed with the odaa tree [it], is a resonant symbol of the Oromo polity asserting the unity of all Oromo. It is a printed alphabet that is as much a celebration of Oromo cultures, traditions, and identities, and an assertion of their place in the world of modern literacy and learning (L. Towers 2009)[1] [More]

Oromo shall defend the gains they so far registered with their sweat and blood

25. June 2017 Administrator History (0)
By Ibsaa Guutama
25 June 2017
Qubee is Oromo national treasure and pride. It belongs to no group in particular except the Oromo nation. It costed so many lives and involve so many to reach here. Therefore let us make a call to Oromo of all walks of life, from independent or dependent camps, to take stand never to allow others to dictate on the Oromo nation the term of use. If you are calling yourself Oromo, Qubee is your identity that locks you with all the tribes of Bariinto and Boorana. [More]

Adwa and Abyssinia’s Participation in the Scramble for Africa: Part II

25. April 2017 Administrator History (0)
Mekuria Bulcha, PhD, Professor
24/04/2017
In the first part of this article which was published on March 28, 2017 by Oromia Today and other Oromo websites, I critically assessed the conditions under which the Oromo and the various conquered peoples in southern Ethiopia had participated in the famous Battle of Adwa. I discussed the Abyssinian participation in Scramble for Africa, and the role of Europeans in the making of Menelik’s empire. In this second and last part of the article I will expose how the victory achieved at Adwa is being used to distort the history of the peoples conquered by Menelik, explore the effect of the victory on the peoples of what is now known as southern Ethiopia. I will also discuss the meaning of the Battle of Adwa for the Oromo and the irrationality of blaming them for a lack of pride in the victory achieved in the war and critique the futile effort of Habesha and non-Habesha scholars and politicians to erase Oromummaa (Oromo identity) and replace it with Ethiopiawinnet (Ethiopian-ness) using Oromo contribution to Ethiopia’s victory at Adwa. As in the first part of the article, the views which are expressed in both Mr. Borago’s articles and Dr. Larebo’s stories about the Oromo and the Battle of Adwa, which were broadcast on different media outlets, are the points of departure also in this second part of the article. [More]

Adwa and Abyssinia’s Participation in the Scramble for Africa: Has that Relevance to the Ongoing Oromo protests?

28. March 2017 Administrator (0)
 
Mekuria Bulcha, PhD, Professor
28 March 2017
The purpose of the article is to critically assess the meanings of the Battle of Adwa for the Oromo and other non-Abyssinian peoples who were conquered and forcibly incorporated into the Ethiopian Empire by Menelik. The following questions will guide my discussion: (a) what were the conditions under which the Oromo and the other non-Abyssinian peoples participated in the Battle of Adwa? (b) What “benefits” did they derive from the victory at Adwa? (c) In what ways was the Battle of Adwa a turning point in Abyssinia’s participation in the Scramble for Africa? (d) What was the relationship between the peoples of the south including the Oromo and the Abyssinian state before and after Adwa? [More]

History - Alkaline to neutralize conflicts or an element to catalyze them? The recent ESAT interview with Dr. Larebo

15. March 2017 Administrator community (1)
By: Bayisa Wak-Woya
wakwoya2016@gmail.com
 Geneva, 20th February, 2017
The recent ESAT interview with Dr. Larebo encouraged me to write this note, something which I was thinking of doing for some years now. Although I am disappointed with both the form and content of the interview, I found it a blessing in disguise because it provided me with the muse I needed to gather my thoughts to write this piece regarding the use or misuse of history. In bracket though, I would like to express my deepest dissatisfaction that, a) the interviewer seems to have an ulterior motive – because he was feeding the interviewee with leading questions, which is very unprofessional; and, b) the issues discussed were not relevant to the prevailing situation in Ethiopia in general and that of the ongoing rapprochement between the Oromo and Amhara people in particular. To sum up, and in my view, the interview did not have any added value whatsoever. As for Dr. Larebo’s statement about Oromos, I can only say that he is either an educated illiterate or an arrogant individual who is harboring quite a dose of grudge against the Oromo people for reasons not known to me yet. [More]

The matter of Oromo Liberation --II--Dhimma Bilisummaa Oromoo

26. February 2017 Administrator human rights (0)
By Ibsaa Guutama
February 2017
The matter of Oromo Liberation
Seriousness of the Oromo in demanding for their independence has started to be felt by all that have interest in and hatred for independent Oromiyaa. As a result, scared internal and external forces are rushing to extinguish the fire of freedom. For them independent Oromiyaa means losing the opportunity to, plunder more, cheap and productive labor force as well as their best fighting machine. Against all odds Oromo revolution has raised political awareness of the colonized people to a level of no return to slumber. [More]

Oromia’s moment of truth: The Greatest Oromo generation and the Oromia Flag

4. February 2017 Administrator community, human rights (0)
By Leenjiso Horo, February, 2017

Now, it is time for the Qubee generation to take up the torch of struggle that commenced with the great Oromo generation of the 1960s. The ultimate aim of the Oromo struggle is and has been for total political independence. For this, many forms of strategy and tactics have been used. In this struggle, a partial victory has already been won by the generation of the 1960s. The Oromo unity is achieve; Oromia is put on the map, Oromo are known to the world community, the Oromo flag is made a realty, Qubee has been created, the new Qubee generation is born, and Oromo language has become a working language. Now, it is for the Oromo Qubee generation to raise the struggle to higher level to achieve full victory. For this, it is time for this generation to engage in armed liberation struggle. [More]

The Tigrayan fascist regime’s genocidal war against the Oromo people

3. January 2017 Administrator human rights (0)
By Leenjiso Horo, Januaray 2017

The Tigrayan fascist regime has undertaken open and hidden total genocidal war against the Oromo men, women, and children. It has been carrying out systematic, methodical, pre-planned, and centrally-organized genocidal mass massacre against the Oromo men, women and children. Our people have been and are facing the cruelest and barbarous fascist regime since 1991. It has particularly targeted women, youths and children. The purpose is to deny to Oromo, their future generation so as to reduce the population of Oromo to a minority. It has already put its plan of action to erase the Oromo people through genocide. [More]

A PROPOSAL ON THE CONSOLIDATION OF OROMO SUPPORT

29. December 2016 Administrator community (1)
By: Koree Tokkummaa
29 December 2016

Over three months ago, a lady came up with an initiative on "#Oromo Protests Support Group" to go beyond mere exchange of information and urged the participants to organize a teleconference for a deliberation on what concrete measures need to be taken in support of the victims of tyranny in Oromia. Three participants volunteered to prepare a proposal and schedule a teleconference call. [More]

Ethnic tensions could see Ethiopia descending into civil war: State of emergency restores calm but fissures remain in fragile federation

9. December 2016 Administrator community (1)
Source: The Irish Times
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/africa/ethnic-tensions-could-see-ethiop

Opinions about where Ethiopia is heading cover a range of scenarios. It is feasible that a renewed uprising could prove successful, or its attendant pressures result in the internal disintegration of the EPRDF. Both appear unlikely, however, certainly in the short-term. Honed by decades of experience fending off rebellions, Ethiopia’s security apparatus is ruthlessly effective – hence the apparent success of the state of emergency. If judged necessary, an even more blistering government crackdown can’t be ruled out. [More]

OLF announces the election of Galasa Dilbo as its leader

8. December 2016 Administrator news (1)
Source: www.oromoliberationfront.net
Galasa Dilbo is recognized all across Oromia, for his selfless dedication to the freedom of his people. He has a proven track record of leadership skills and utilizing participatory leadership style. He has the vision to win the trust of the great Oromo nation and lead our organization to victory in the struggle for liberation of Oromia.

The newly elected leadership team also includes, elected Deputy Chairman Mulugeta Mosisa, who is equally experienced, dedicated and capable leader, and other able leaders are also elected to other key positions.

The OLF Central Committee has thoroughly assessed the many challenges our liberation struggle has to overcome, including urgent need for strengthening the unity of purpose among Oromo political organizations, and mustering Oromo resources in order to halt and finally end the TPLF’s reign of terror and its colonial occupation. [More]