Barbaachisummaa Dhaabaa | The Need for Institutions
The Need for Institutions
(Originally Prepared for the Launching Event of MWMF)
(Originally Prepared for the Launching Event of MWMF)
By Ibsaa Guutama | December 2013
The Oromo had institutions for all activities and knew their importance. There was a process for an institution to be reformed or developed. According to the Gadaa tradition, legislation is to be reviewed every eight years. They very much understood that law had to be adjusted to conditions of the time. An institution that goes with time is indispensible for a nation. It is only people’s quest for freedom that does not change with time. Kaayyoo or objective principle is a guide to reach an intended goal. For instance, the objective of Greek democracy, which most tongues praise, was to assure adherence to people’s government. That means each citizen of a city had to participate directly in the decision making for all things of their concern. When territories start to expand and population increased, it became difficult to practice direct democracy, and so, representative democracy was introduced. But, the basic objective of empowering each citizen to have the right to vote was not altered. The colonizer destroyed the Gadaasystem, which had both direct and representative democracy.
It has been long since the Oromo started to look for their own ways to reconstitute their destroyed institutions. By institution, we mean, an organization one founds to carry out a planned task. The mission and vision of such an organization is determined by one that founded it. An institution is like a human child. The environment of its upbringing can influence and change the character intended for it. Norms in a society like care for public opinion, shyness, moral considerations orsafuu, abstinence, rejections, fads, challenges, and threats can influence it change from the intended purpose. An institution is not only formal, but also can be informal as well.
Not all institutions reach their goal. An institution is said to be dependable if those running it have proved themselves in their previous undertakings or after they have proven themselves in practice. The history of Oromo organizations of the past ten years could be a lesson for those who had followed them. Some showed left and turned right after arousing the people to frantic applauds. What were their shortcomings? Investigating that could save those who are planning for new projects from similar debacle.
Institutions are built to overcome shortcomings in society. People who take that mission should not only know the shortcomings, but also must be determined and have commitment for their undertakings. They must also be vigilant to protect their institution from hidden and open enemy attacks. Slogans do not prove commitment until one goes ahead and implement them. The Oromo had never lived for over hundred years by their own will, but by the will of the colonizer. Therefore, an institution founded on their name will be weighed against how much it contributes towards the realization of the nation’s right to national self-determination.
The Oromo people had a wide ranging struggle in which several were sacrificed and great gains were registered. Those gains were achieved by sacrifices of nationals, whom unbearable humiliation on Oromummaa agitated them to rise. Majority were peasants’ sons and daughters. Except for inborn bravery, they had no higher education or specialization, but their sweat and blood to offer. But, incapacity of the leadership to protect the organization from different pressures, and in changing their ways of thinking, paralyzed the political organization the nation counted on. Whether it is from ignorance or design, they are unable to take it out of the doldrums. The Oromo in foreign lands had wounded each other for long by either keeping on throwing rocks on the paralyzed or supporting it. This time, when they are unable to help it, they seem to have left it to its fate. Since shortcomings in Oromiyaa are tremendous, it seems they have chosen to professionally handle in teams those things that cannot create controversy among actors. But, except for the moment, the future of OLF, the vanguard of the Oromo struggle, is not a point of worry for it has gone beyond being destroyed internally or externally.
Now, the upcoming Oromo generation is gaining consciousness that they have started to devise how to re-institute all that had been destroyed. For those who want to work, the field is boundless. Recently, we have seen how the movement called “Afaan” had succeeded in its mission. For this reason, it is good to handle strongly in all fronts. Otherwise, there could come a time when one is under-prepared in having economic and socially institutions by only focusing now on political organizations. The need for a political organization in coordinating what present institutions outcome is obvious. But, we cannot be a nonpartisan and a political organization at the same time.
Among institutions being founded at the present, the Madda Walaabu Media Foundation (MWMF) is moving to make live radio broadcasts to Oromiya and the Horn in Afaan Oromo and English from January 1, 2014 onward. Judging from their documents on bylaws, articles of incorporation, rules and regulations, and mission and vision, the way they have started is convincing. What remains will be observing them in practice. For that, all have to give them the benefit of the doubt. The documents assure supporters that they favor no particular organization or would they create any obstacle to Oromo organizations other than supporting them. For this reason, Gubirmans Publishing stands with them as long as they stick to those principles. It will participate to its ability in their activities. We also wish success for the movement that has, according to the writer’s understanding, announced “We Are Oromo First” before “region, religion, tribe, etc.” – renewing the slogan their elders used to campaign for Oromo consciousness a half century ago. It would be wise to understand that, it is advantageous to move in cooperation with those having similar objectives and start to create conducive atmosphere to that end. As long as all move with clear, matured objective in good faith, there is no reason for not being successful.
If Oromo professionals move all together or in teams, what they could achieve have no limits. Those who are preparing something that helps teach and contribute towards each other’s consciousness are the blessed. If that is to develop Oromo capabilities and empowering the nation, it would earn happiness for all. It could also enable to overcome existing shortcomings by creating social and economic institutions that do not make class and outlook distinctions. The Oromo are long fed up of nauseating alien propaganda. Therefore, for those who had announced to reach them, it is essential to hurry up. It is said “a slow lover gives chance for the husband’s arrival.”
The Oromo are majority in the Horn of Africa. They have potential markets, not only for nonprofit institutions, but also for those working for profit. For this size to be noticed, they lack strong economic and social organizations – and weakness in political ones. An institution that delivers fast and effectively what it promised is not only a pride for supporters and members, but also gives all confidence to talk about it. The role of members are not only contributing ideas, money, labor, capabilities, and knowhow and raising morale, but also rallying support from possible sympathizers. An institution could be ground for participants to gain experience and a place to train futures leaders for several fields and for developing one’s culture.
What greater happiness could be there for a nation than hearing the gift of independent media for the New Year, at a time like this, when people had lost contact of each other, and alien propaganda is confusing them? What best wish message could be there greater than this short of independence? Reaching their people will be of great pride for Oromo in Diaspora. To make people conscious of their health, their activities, and their living is what the time demands. These days, those who can guide public opinion as they like are those who own media. They use it to advance their national and corporate interests. The movements we are seeing nowadays have to advance the interest of Oromo and other downtrodden. We are hearing that all their messages are based on Oromummaa. The only independent radio that reaches Oromiyaa was the voice of Oromo liberation (SBO). Its purpose is to advance the political program of Oromo liberation. Institutions being built these days could have a greater benefit if they focus on the economy and social affairs. Neutrality to existing intra Oromo political division could save from the quagmires their predecessors fell into. Not giving political education, but the matter of political organization must be separated from present movements. MWMF deserves special thanks for having clear stand on this issue. Let all put pressure on all of them from behind to keep them from faltering. As long as they contribute for the realization of the Oromo right to national self-determination, they all remain our common institutions. We hope they will work towards better understanding and find for us new techniques rather than allowing minuscule differences to keep them apart. We would like to once again congratulate MWMF for its declared success. Let us keep up the spirit of Oromummaaever alive. Qabsoon it fufa!
Honor and glory for the fallen heroines and heroes; liberty equality and freedom for the living and nagaa and araaraa for the Ayyaanaa of our fore parents!
Barbaachisummaa Dhaabaa
(Haasaa BMMW beeksisuuf tolfame jalqaba tolfame 12/14/2013)
(Haasaa BMMW beeksisuuf tolfame jalqaba tolfame 12/14/2013)
Ibsaa Guutama irraa
Oromoon durii waan halleef dhaaba qaba ture.Dhaabi tokko fooyya’u haa ta’uu guddachuufi yaa’a qaba. Akka sirna Gadaatt seerri tokko waggaa saddeet saddeetiin keessa deebi’amee ilaalama. Seerri haala Yeroo waliin deemuu akka qabu bareechanii beeku turan. Dhaabi seeraan dhaabbata. Kanaaf yeroo waliin deemuu qaba jechuu dha. Kan haala waliin hin jijjiiramne fedha ummati birmadummaaf qabu. Akeeki yk kaayyoon fedha ummataa guutuuf yaada hordofamu. Fakkeenyaaf akeeki demokrasii Grikii afaan hundi leellisu kaayyoon saa bu’uuraa, bulcha ummataa dhugoomsuu dha. Sana jechuun tokko tokkoon namaa waan isa ilaalu irrati murti kennuuf suduudaan qooda fudhachuu ture. Biyyi guddataa yoo deemu lakkoofsi namaas yoo baayyatu suduudaan hirmaachuun rakkisaaa waan dhufeef iddoosotaan qooda fudhachuun murteeffame. Akeeki hundi mirga qabaachuu garuu hin jijjiiramne. Sirna Gadaa demokraasii suduudaa fi iddoosotaatiin qabu koloneeffataan Oromoo jalaa rukute. Hamma danda’e buqqisee gate.
Kanaaf Oromoon dhaabota jalaa jijjigan akka deebisanii itt ijaarraatan karaa ofii barbaaddachuu erga eegalanii turaniiru. Dhaaba yoo jennu ijaarsa qaammi tokko hamlata karoorfate itt gaggeeffatuu jechuu keenya. Ergamsaa fi daayi saa qaama bu’urseen murteeffama. Dhaabi akka ilmoo namaati. Naannaa keessatt guddatu dhiibbaa guddaa itt tolchee miira warri hin yaadnee ala horachuu danda’a. Hangammeessi hawaasa keessa jiru, akka maal naan jedhu, saalfii, safuu, laguu, ciigoo, sinsinnii, didhaa fi dorsisa fakkaatan bifaa geeddarsiisuun ni mala. Kanaaf dhaabi isa caasaan namaatt mulliisan qofa utuu hin ta’in kan barsiifataan hordofanis ta’uu ni danda’a.
Dhaabi hundii fiixan hin ba’u. Dhaabi tokko abdachiisaa dha kan jedhamu, kan gaggeessan hojii kanaan dura argisiisaniin amanamummaa horatan yoo ta’e yk shakalaan waan jedhanitt kan cichan ta’uu saanii yeroon erga agarsiise duuba ta’a. Seenaan dhaabota Oromoo kurnan darbanii kan caqaseef barumsa guddaa ta’a. Kaan amba kana erga mirqaansanii harka rukuchiisanii booda mirga agarsiisani bitaa lufanii. Hanqinni saanii maal ture? Kan waa tolchuuf ka’an hundi sana qorachuun kufaatii irra oolchuu danda’a.
Dhaabi hanqina hawaasa tokko keessatt argamu guutuuf ijaarama. Namooti dhaabicha hogganan hanqina jiru hubachuu qofa utuu hin ta’in sana guutuuf kutatoo fi akeeka saaniif dudhama kan qaban ta’uutu irra eegama. Akkasumas dhaaba saanii haleellaa dhokataa fi mullataa hamajaajiin aggaamamu irra eeguuf dammaqoo ta’uu qabuu. Dhaadannoon dudhama hin mirkaneessu kanaaf itt deemanii hojii irra oolchuu dha. Waggaa dhibbaa oliif Oromoon akka koloneeffataan barbaadett malee akka ofii barbaadutt bulanii hin beekanii. Kanaaf dhaabi maqaa saaniin ijaaramu kan madaalamu ummatichi mirga hiree saa sabummaa ofiin murteeffachu gara dandeessisutt tattaafii agarsiisaniinii.
Ummati Oromoo kanaan dura qabsoo baldhaa hunda hammataa gaggeeffatee hedduu itt wareegee milkii guddaas galmeeffate. Milkiin sun sabboonota xiiqiin Oromummaa kaakaaseen argame. Wayyabi saanii ijoollee qotee bulati. Onneen kakaasee dafqa fi dhiigaa saanii wareeguufi dhihaatan malee barumsa olaanaa fi kan addaa qabaataniif miti. Garuu hoggansi dhiibbaa adda addaa irra of eeguu fi yaada haromfachuu dadhabuun dhaabi malbulcha hedduu abdatame laasha’ee jira. Beekaa haa ta’uu wallaalaa wanti halle kan dalga itt gale fakkaata. Oromoon ala kana jiran waaggaa hedduuuf laasha’aama kanatt dhagaa guuruu fi deggeruutt diina gargaaraa fi walis mammadeessaa bahani. Alana gara itt qaban waldhaalluun akka hireen saanii godhe hata’an jedhanii kan itt dhiisan fakkaata. Hanqinni Oromiyaan qabu hedduu waan ta’eef garee gareen ogummaan waan wal hin giphasifnett bobba’aa jori. ABOn ammaaf malee, egereen saa hin yaaddessuu. Keessaan haa ta’uu alaan diiganii balleessuu irra ol ta’eera.
Amma Ilmaan Oromoo jalaa ka’iin dammaqaa waan dhufaniif, kan bade hunda deebisanii ijaaruuf mala dhahaa jiru. Kan hojjechuu bobba’uu fedhaniif, baldhanni dirree hamma hin qabu. Dhihenyuma kana sochiin “Afaan” jedhu hagam akka milkaawe argaa jirra. Kanaaf fula fuulan qabaa jabeeffachuu dha. Sana malee utuma malbulcha qofaa irratt ija babaasanii diinagdee fi hawasomaan gaafa biyyi argamu qophii dhabuun dhaqqabuu danda’a. Hobbaati sochootii amma tolfamaa jiranii, bulee kan qindeessu dhaabi malbulcha barbachisaa dha. Garuu al tokkoon hin baabsinees dhaaba malbulchaas ta’uu hin dandeenyu.
Dhaabota ijaaramaa jiran keessaa Bu’uursa Media Madda Walaabu kan jedhamu afaan Oromoon Amajjii tokkoo 2014 irraa ka’ee dhaamsa raadiyoo biyyatt facaasuuf karoorfatee socho’utt jira. Barruunqabii (documents) akka heera, seeraa fi dambiilee, ergamsaa fi daayaa, yoo ilaallu karaa isaan jalqaban amansiisaa ta’a. Hojiin fulduratt ilaallaa. Leellisoo gola kamiiyyuu akka hin taane fi dhaaba Oromoo kamuu deggeruu malee akka gufuu itt hin taane barruunqaboti kun ni agarsiisu. Kanaaf Barlabsi Gubirmans hamma isaan karaa jedhan irra deemanitt waliin ijaajja. Gocha saanii keessattis qooda fudhata. Sochiin “ganda, amantee, gosa kkf” “Dura Nuti Oromoo dha” jechuun dhaadannoo angafoti waggaa shantama dura ittiin ummata dammaqsaa turan haaromsee kan labses waan akeekkatettshaffisaan akka milkaawu hawwinaafi. Kan akeeka tokkoo qaban gamtaan bobba’uun anjaa akka qabu qayyabachaa walii tumsuuf ammumaa karaa mijjeessaa deemuun gamnummaa dha. Hunduu akeeka taliilaa, bilchaataa fi garaa qulqulluun hanga bobba’anitt wanti hin milkoofneef hin jiratu.
Oromoo ogeeyyiin yoo waliinis garee gareenis bobba’an wanti tulchuu danda’an daanga hin qabu. Alana waan ittiin walbarsiisan fi wal dammaqsan tolchuuf kan tattaafataa jiran eebbifamoo dha. Sun dandeett Oromoo olkaasanii ummaticha aangessuuf yoo ta’e gammachuu hundaati. Hanqina jiru guutee dhaabota hawaasomaa kan gitaa fi ilaalchaan hin baabsine diriirsuu,dandessisa. Qoodi miseensotaa gargaarsa, yaadaa, horii, humnaa, dandeettii, beekumsaa fi hamilee gumaachuu dha. Namoota biyyaaf yaadan sanaaf hiriirsuunis qooda saanii ta’a. Oromoon holola halagaa locaa ta’e qofa dhaggeeffachuu erga nuffee turee jira. Kanaf dhaqabuufii kan murteeffatan shaffisuun barbaachisaa dha. “Qaqqabatan dhirsaa namatt fida” jedhama.
Oromoon gaanfa Afrika keessa ummata wayyaba. Dhaabota bu’a malee qofa utuu hin ta’in kan bu’aaf ijaaramanis gabaa riphaa guddaa qabu. Guddina saanii bahee mullachuuf hanqina dhaabota diinagdee, hawaasomaa fi laafina dhaabota malbulchaatu jira. Dhaabi waan jedhu shaffisaa fi mudaa malee hojiirra oolchu miseensaa fi deggertootaa boonaa fi gammachuu horaafi. Dhaabicha keessatt qooda kan fudhatan muuxxannoo duubaaf tolu argachuu danda’u. Dhaabi bakka itt waa baratan, dirree adda addaaf bakka hogganoota keessaa maddisiifatanii fi aadaa saanii itt misomfatan ta’uu danda’a.
Yero itt namooti afuura walii dhabanii mediyaa hamajaajiin afanfajjeeffamaa jiran kana, media ittiin dhaqabnu ijaarra kan jedhan as bahuun hammaam garaa lammii haa ciibsuu? Kana Caalaa kennaa Waggaa haaraa malliitu jira? Oromoo ala jiraniif ummata saanii dhaqabuu boonsaa dha. Ummmata waa’ee fayyaa saa, jiru saa fi oolmaa saa dammaqsuun waan yeroon gaafatu. Si’ana ilaalcha addunya gara barbaadanitt kan masakan kan mediyaa qabanii. Hundu fedha sabaa fi daldala ofii duratt ittiin dhiibu. Sochooti si’ana mumuldhataa jiran fedha ummata Oromoo fi cunqurfamootaa ifa baasuu qabu. Dhaamsi saani hunduu akka dhagahaa jirrutt Oromummaa irratt hundaawaa. Raadiyoo walabi maqaa Oromoon Oromiyyaa dhaqabu SBO qofa ture. Inni sagantaa bilisummaa Oromoo utubuuf dhaabbate. Dhaaboti amma ijaaramaa jiran kan xiyyeeffatan hawasomaa fi diinagdee irratt yoo ta’e bu’aa wayyaa qabaatu. Sagantaa dhaaba malbulchaa kamiifuu hin baabsinee fi dhaaba malbulchaa ta’uufis hin dorgomnee yoo ta’an dhaddhaqii sochooti isaan dura seenan irra of baraaru. Waa’ee malbulcha barsiisuu utuu hin ta’in waa’een dhaaba malbulchaa sochoota si’ana jiran irra addatt ilaalamuu qaba. “Afaan fi BMMW sana ifa baasuu saaniif galata qabu. Hunduu jalqabamanii akka duubatt hin deebine duubaa haa dhiibnu. Hanga ummati Oromoo mirga hiree ofii ofiin murteeffachuu haala mijjeessanitt, hundi saanii dhabota keenya. Garagarummaa bubbucuu qaban afarsuu caalaa wal qayyabachuuf tattaafachuun mala adda addaa nuuf burqisisu jennee abdanna. BMMWn keessa deebinee baga ooffalte jennaa. Ayyaana Oromummaa yoomu haa jabeessinuu. Qabsoon it fufa!
Ulfinaa fi surraan gootota kufaniif; walabummaa, walqixxummaa fi bilisummaan kan hafaniif; nagaa fi araarri Ayyaana abboolii fi ayyoliif haa tahu!
