There Is No Nation Called Amara, but Two Types of Oromo: Those Revering Amarigna vs. Those Respecting Oromiffa
The political conflict in Ethiopia since the rise of Yekuno Amlak in 1270 has been between two groups of Oromo: those revering Amarigna versus those respecting Oromiffa. The first group continues to rule the country, while the second group has consistently formed part of the opposition forces and rebel fronts fighting against the incumbents.
Currently, the Prosperitan Oromos led by Dr. Abiy are maintaining the ongoing domination of Amarigna, whereas Oromo republicans in the OLA, OFC, and OLF are working hard to promote Afan Oromo as the legitimate primary working language of all federal institutions.
It is striking to observe how some Habeshas recently admired and praised Obbo Lenco Lata. He once stated, “When Habeshas support me, then I know that I am wrong regarding Oromo interests.” Is he now committing a grave mistake by trying to stabilize Dr. Abiy’s pro-Amaranet regime—a regime that has accepted Amarigna as the federation’s primary language while reducing Oromiffa to a secondary position?
There is no question that the Oromo struggle achieved victory over the assimilative Amara elites in 1991 and ousted the apartheid Tigrayan elites in 2018. Now, the struggle is between pro-Amaranet Oromo elites who currently govern and the genuine pro-Oromummaa nationalists in opposition groups like the OLF and OFC. I am disappointed to see Dr. Dima Nego and Obbo Lenco Bati as advisors to the pro-Amaranet bloc. Is Obbo Lenco Lata now fighting against the pro-Oromummaa camp?
At a time when nearly all Oromo nationalists were fighting for an independent Oromia, Obbo Lenco Lata introduced the idea of democratizing Ethiopia as a federal union and integrating the Horn of Africa as a common home. For this, he was labeled a Gantu (betrayer) of the Oromo struggle and endured widespread criticism. Now, many of those who once opposed him are in Ethiopia pursuing the same political vision he once outlined.
Similarly, Dr. Abiy has advanced this thinking further with his concept of Medemer (synergy), even calling into question the federal union and advocating for an integrated Ethiopia under Oromo leadership. While many Oromo nationalists oppose this idea, not necessarily to dismantle ethnic federalism, the timing might be wrong. Nevertheless, Dr. Abiy’s vision could be promising—if he truly means Ethiopia as Oropia (an Oromummaa-led state) rather than as Amapia (an Amaranet-dominated country).
An integrated Oropia represents a politics of high confidence; a federal union shows intermediate confidence; and an independent Oromia reflects low confidence. We may adopt Abiy’s vision later, albeit behind schedule. This was my earlier optimistic outlook regarding these two leaders. But now, to my disappointment, they seem not to be promoting an Ethiopia led by Oromummaa in accordance with demographic realities. Instead, they appear content to maintain and deepen Amaranet’s existing dominance, particularly through the expansion of Amarigna.
In the past, due to low confidence amid colonization, we had to fight for an independent Oromia. Now, during this democratic transition phase, we can pursue federal union politics because we have gained intermediate confidence. In the future democratization phase, we will surely build high-confidence politics, aiming for an integrated Oropia where Afan Oromo will be the primary language of the palace, judiciary, government, and parliament—with Amarigna as a secondary language.
However, both Abiy and Lenco currently promote Ethiopia as Amapia by supporting the further dominance of Amaranet and Amarigna. This is why the Neo-Naftagnas support them, just as the EPP does their bidding by cracking down on genuine Oromo nationalists.
Today, many Oromos are contemplating how the name Ethiopia can be instrumentalized to promote Oromo freedom from Habesha domination. There are also those who blindly love Ethiopia and seek to preserve its territorial integrity but do not prioritize the Oromo cause. Especially in the digital space, these voices can be grouped into five categories:
Those who still believe in the dead, assimilative Ethiopia of Amara elites and want to revive it.
Those who want to restore the apartheid Ethiopia led by Tigrayan elites.
Those who aim to build a true federal Ethiopia, while opposing Oromo independence.
Those who prefer a true federal Ethiopia, but cooperate with pro-independence Oromos to reach that goal.
Those who believe that a future inclusive Ethiopia will, in essence, be Oropia—and consider all democratic forces as allies.
In truth, the name Ethiopia is more suitable for Cushitic (Oromo) peoples than for Habesha (who claim Semitic origins). Despite its original meaning—”land of the burnt face”—the name has gained a positive image due to its biblical connection with Cush, the legacy of Cushitic civilizations, and romanticized European narratives. Yet the name has been hijacked and corrupted by Abyssinian elites who:
Equated Ethiopia with the land of the Habesha, not of the Cush.
Falsely claimed the Oromo are newcomers to Ethiopia.
Marginalized Cushitic nations politically.
Demonized Cushitic cultural symbols like Waaqeffanna, Odaa, Gadaa, and the black-red-white tricolor—replacing them with Habesha elements.
Tied the name Ethiopia to monarchy and theocratic rule.
Systematically suppressed Cushitic languages—especially Afan Oromo—while imposing Semitic languages.
Defined Ethiopian identity (Ethiopiawinet) as Habeshawinet instead of Kushawinet.
Given this historical manipulation, it was entirely legitimate for the Oromo and other Cushitic nations to reject the name Ethiopia and its imposed identity. But if Ethiopia is to survive, it must become a true Ethiopia—a land of Cush, not of Habesha. This new Ethiopia should be:
Synonymous with the land of Cush (True Ethiopia), not the land of Habesha (Pseudo-Ethiopia).
Centered politically around the Oromo as the demographic majority.
Inclusive of all Cushitic nations in political leadership.
Founded on Cushitic cultural heritage—Waaqeffanna, black-red-white flag, etc.
Free from Amarigna and Orthodox religious dominance.
Multilingual, with Afan Oromo and other Cushitic languages as the country’s working languages.
Defined by Kushawinet (True Ethiopian identity), not Habeshawinet (False Ethiopian identity).
If these transformations do not happen, and Ethiopia fails to become Oropia, then the Oromo will bid farewell to the Pseudo-Ethiopia and pursue independence for Oromia. Thus, our future lies in one of two paths: an independent Oromia or an integrative Oropia. Until that becomes clear, the Oromo people have every reason to reject the existing Ethiopian identity and propose Oropia instead.
That said, now is a strategic time for Oromo politicians to use the name Ethiopia in organizing a broad, inclusive struggle against the EPP regime. Leveraging the name Ethiopia is currently more pragmatic than pushing for an official name change. The Oromo can reclaim and redefine the name Ethiopia—as long as we achieve genuine freedom and power in the Caffé Arat Kilo palace.
Above all, past Ethiopian regimes inflicted enormous suffering on the Oromo in the name of Ethiopia, which has stained the name deeply in our collective memory. That is why using the name Oropia alongside Ethiopia is both emotionally and politically justified. Still, I suggest the Oromo polity use Ethiopia for now—because the past assimilative Amhara-led and apartheid Tigray-led versions of Ethiopia are gone, and the Neo-Naftagnas in the EPP will eventually be removed. The Oromo can reshape Ethiopia from Habeshawinet (Amaranet) to Kushawinet (Oropiawinet) and use the name to our advantage.
After all, it was Oromo heroes like Abdisa Aga and athletes like Abebe Bikila who gave the name Ethiopia global prestige. The Ethiopia of the future will reflect Cushitic identity—not the Solomonic mythology of the Habesha. That is why we can and should fight for a reimagined, integrated Ethiopia. Ethiopia as Oropia, envisioned by Jawar Mohammed, will rise from the ashes of Ethiopia as Amapia, promoted by Abiy Ahmed.
May Waaqaa bless the Oromo and Oromia!
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2019/03/2 ... -ethiopia/