Timely Call to the ATO (Amara-Tegaru-Oromo) New Generation!
By Fayyis Oromia*
The old generation of the ATO (Amara-Tegaru-Oromo) power triangle was successful in eliminating feudalism but failed miserably in resisting the three successive fascist regimes—Derg, Woyane, and Biltsigina—over the past 50 years. I believe that the older generation of the student movement, who once united against the monarchy but later became divided in their stance on these regimes, must now retire from politics. It is time for the new generation to take responsibility for shaping their own future.
The Qérrô movement, led by dynamic youth such as Jawar Mohammed, is on the right track. The Fanno movement, however, still needs to free itself from obsolete minds like Dawit W/Giorgis and Washington-based “Amara scholars” who degraded the Oromo using the derogatory G-word—an attitude that defeats them even before they begin the struggle. The new Tegaru youth, led by Aite Getachew, seem to be in the process of liberating themselves from the backward mentality of the older generation.
When the progressive versions of the Fanno movement and the Tegaru youth align with Qérrô in the common struggle for freedom and unity of all nations within Ethiopia, the current fascist regime will not survive. Until this triangular cooperation among ATO’s new generation is realized, Biltsigina will continue to dominate by exploiting divisions among the triangle’s forces.
Therefore, my call to the new generation of the ATO triangle is this: Wake up! Find a common denominator and unite to fight the fascist regime—just like your elder brothers and sisters united to overthrow the feudal system. If they could defeat the feudalists, you too can defeat the fascists, and foster liberty, equality, and fraternity among all nations.
One of the main purposes of Irreechaa is the Oromo concept of Aràrà (reconciliation). The century-long triangular conflict between the Amara, Tegaru, and Oromo elites must come to an end. Now that the Oromo have overcome the domination system of the Habesha elites, they must exercise magnanimity. We must challenge the [ deleted ] elites while remaining inclusive and loving toward both the Amara and Tegaru peoples.
It is time for the people of the triangle to liberate themselves from elite-driven conflicts. Acceptance, respect, and genuine engagement among the three nations is essential for lasting peace in the Horn of Africa. Irreechaa can serve as a platform for rapprochement and reconciliation among both the peoples and elites of the triangle. I hope all nations in Ethiopia—especially the two Habesha peoples—will participate in the upcoming Irreechaa celebration in Finfinne, our common capital city.
It is encouraging news that Irreechaa will be celebrated in Finfinne for the first time. Irreechaa/Irreessa, as a day of thanksgiving to Waaqa and a celebration of national empowerment, marks the transition from winter (darkness) to spring (light, greenery, life, partnership, and hope). The Oromo come out in mass to honor Waaqa and to seek solutions to the challenges they face.
Some Oromo nationals have begun demanding that the Ethiopian regime recognize this day as a national holiday, similar to Easter and Ramadan. Although the Oromo have long treated it as a national holiday, previous regimes deliberately refused to grant it official recognition. Some colonial elements even tried to reduce Irreechaa to a festival of only Wàqeffattà Oromo, disregarding Christian and Muslim Oromo. But is that really so?
According to various experts, monotheism is believed to have originated from Cushitic Black Africans—including the Oromo—before spreading to Egypt, Israel, and eventually the Arab world. Some scholars argue that Moses was not the first monotheist, but that Akhenaten was, and that Akhenaten himself may have been inspired by Cushitic/Oromo concepts of Wàqa Tokkicha (One God): “Wàq humna malee bifa hin qabu” (God has no physical form, only power).
Furthermore, linguistic and cultural parallels between ancient Egypt and the Oromo are striking. For instance, the Egyptian words Ani and Màtī closely resemble the Oromo words Ani (I) and Màtī (family). These connections show the deep historical and spiritual roots of the Oromo faith.
I will not go into historical details, but it is important to understand that Wàqeffannà and Irreechaa were integral to Oromo life until the nation was colonized by Abyssinians in the 19th century. Under colonial rule, these institutions lost their legitimacy. Under the Tigrayan regime, they were tolerated superficially but never fully accepted.
Despite this, Irreechaa is now celebrated widely—thanks to the united effort of all Oromo, regardless of religious affiliation. Irreechaa is not a Wàqeffattà-only celebration. Christianity, Islam, and Wàqeffannà share many values, especially the belief in one God/Waaqa.
Let me now describe Wàqeffannà as I experienced it. The following insights are based on my own argà-dhagétti(perception), and I welcome others to share their own views.
The Oromo are a people full of celebrations of blessing:
- Tàboré (boys’ blessing),
- Ingiccà (girls’ blessing),
- Ayyàna Abbaa (honoring ancestors),
- Atété (blessing women),
- Borantichà (adult men),
- Jàrī Loona/Qe’e/Kosī (blessing animals, homes, areas),
J àrī Midhàni (blessing farms),
- Garanfasa Mucucô (rainy season), and of course,
- Irreechaa and Gubà (celebrating spring).
Wàqeffannà believers refer to God as “Wàq humna malee bifa hin qabu” and relate to Him as “Abba koo” (my Father), who is loving and ever-present. They never beg God but instead bless and pray for His guidance. There is no concept of Hell or Satan—only consequences of cubbü (sin) in this life.
Evil, for Wàqeffattàs, is the result of human imbalance with nature, not the work of a devil. Prayer is about wisdom, harmony, and love—not fear or condemnation.
Their way of communication is also spiritually mature and inclusive. When they disagree, they say things like:
“Ilà, kanà fi sana wàn gàrī jette. Haa ta’u malee kunimmô otô akkana ta’e wayya…”
(You said good things here and there, but it might be better like this…)
They believe we continue after death as ekeraa (spirits), not condemned souls. As Martial De Salviac noted, the Oromo “invariably believe that they will go to heaven.”
Today, some prefer the term Amantii Oromo over Wàqeffannà, just as we call our language Afaan Oromo and our country Biyya Oromo. Some may argue: How can we call it Amantii Oromo if many Oromo now follow Christianity or Islam? But just as some Oromo no longer speak Afaan Oromo, yet are still Oromo, those who have adopted other religions have simply moved away from Amantii Oromo. This doesn’t negate its cultural and historical centrality.
Amantii Oromo is not exclusive or antagonistic. It is the Oromo expression of monotheism, with a distinct cultural foundation, unlike Christianity or Islam, which carry cultural influences from their regions of origin. We can adopt their spiritual values without replacing our own cultural identity. As Luba Shamsadin once said, when we accept religion, we must separate the bones from the meat—i.e., discard foreign cultural elements that don’t serve us.
In summary, Irreechaa is not only for Wàqeffattàs but for all Oromo, regardless of faith. It stands for:
- Thanksgiving to Waaqa,
- Empowering the Oromo Nation,
- Reconciliation among Oromo nationals.
These principles are not in contradiction with Islam or Christianity. We should strive for unity in celebration, honoring Waaqa in our respective styles. Let’s work toward making Irreechaa a national holiday recognized both culturally and politically.
Wàqeffannà is not just an Oromo faith—it is part of a Pan-African spiritual tradition suppressed by colonizers but now reviving with pride. We must purify it from unproductive or idolatrous elements and revive its purpose-driven essence—not to serve gods, but to live with and for Waaqa.
I hope that in a free Oromia, Amantii Oromo will gain equal legal status with Christianity and Islam, and Irreechaa will be celebrated everywhere as the dawn of Oromo renewal.
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2019/09/30/auto-draft/