OROMUMMA KEENA

Nasteha Feto : Calling yourself Ethiopian and what you are associating and disassociating yourself with;
The word "Ethiopia" was first used by Ancient Greek writers in reference to the east-central African kingdom's source of civilization. The word Ethiopia was originated from the greek word "aithiops" which literally means "Charred or Burnt" prior to Greek history. So I myself would never want to identify with such a racist and disrespectful term. I also don’t understand who would want and why someone would want to call themselves that, unless they are uneducated and ignorant. My oromummaa will not allow me to claim the word “Ethiopia” for so many reasons. The biggest reason is that too many of my Oromo people have shedded too much blood for me to still know my Oromo culture and language for me to be out here claiming something they have fought so hard to keep alive. Second reason is Oromiya needs to be free from all this oppression and our voices need to be heard from every rooftop. Until that day we are free, we should act as if we are by saying, “I am an Oromo from Oromiyaa, and i speak Affan Oromo.” This way we are letting the everyone know who we are, one by one. Akkasitii billisumma arganaa.

Duretti Damboba : Unity/Tokkumma;
What oromummaa means to me is simply unity. Without us separating each other from what part or oromia we are from or what religion we believe in. At the end of the day we are all Oromo we share the same blood. We have the same background and history. There shouldn’t be any reason to separate each other from what area we are from and what God we believe in. We are all fighting for our land and our independence and when it comes to our innocent oromo people dying and getting arrested we should all unite and not separate each other. That's the key to independence… uniting. Tokko ta’uu qabna.

Gamachitfu Damboba : How being Oromo has influenced me in my everyday life;
Oromummaa is who i am. I am a proud Oromo. I know my history, my language, my culture. Never been ashamed of where i come from. Always found a way to talk about who i am and it has made me the person i am today. Because of my history and the things my people are going through. It has influenced me to want to do something with myself and my life and help my people and my community. (quote)

Ayantu Kebede : Appreciation of My Culture;
Growing up as a child in the diaspora, reclaiming my Oromo identity has been a long journey. Being Oromo has always been second nature to me, but for a long time it was not something that I showcased. A lot of times when people would ask where I am from, I’d just say Ethiopia to cut the conversation short, not realizing the disservice I was doing to my heritage and to my people. Through OYAM, I have learned a lot and have taken the initiative to learn as much as I can about my history and my culture. When asked, “What does orommuma mean to you”, I can confidently say it is being Oromo unapologetically and carrying on the Oromo legacy.

Dureti Ali : Embracing your culture and to carry on the legecy of the oromo struggle;
To me, speaking Afaan Oromo, being able to write in Oromiffaa, knowing the history of our people, the culture, tradition, eating traditional food, striving to improve Oromo people’s life, embracing who you are as Oromo individuals is a great example of being an Oromo. Growing up outside of Oromia might be hard to maintain your orommummaa because we are exposed to so many different culture and lifestyle. However, we must realize that there are people who are dying to keep the name OROMO alive in this world and we should be encouraged to work even harder to teach the world who Oromo people are!!
Qabsayaaan nii kufaa ..Qabsoon itti fufaaa jette Oromon… kanaaf hangaa Oromiyaan bilisaa argatuuf qabsoo kenna itti fufuu qabnaa. Ijjilee tenna barsifatuu qabnaa. Kayoo kenna qalmaan gennu malee akka hin tenne Abdiin qabaa!!!

Abdulkarim Mustafa : Oromo is the definition of me;
Oromo is the definition of me, but Oromia is a definition of we. we as a people, we as a nation that no one can break. Money, power, nor different mindset of religion can't change the love we share as a nation for Oromia. It's something we all can pride upon. A country thats enriched with spirited minded people that welcome many with warm coffee and warm hugs. Oromiyaa biyya abba kiyya.

OYA’MI