Our Common Nation: The Primacy of Oromummaa Over Religion and Region
Posted: 04 Jan 2026, 15:23
Our Common Nation: The Primacy of Oromummaa Over Religion and Region
By Fayyis Oromia*
In a recent statement, Ob. Shimelis Abdissa expressed concern that giving children names of Arab or Jewish origin might threaten the Oromo national identity, Oromummaa, which is inherently rooted in the Oromo culture and values. His statement has sparked criticism from some religious Oromos who believe that their faith holds a more prominent place than their national identity. However, it is important to understand that Ob. Shimelis, as a politician, is speaking from a political perspective, emphasizing the pragmatic need to protect our national identity.
If religion were indeed more important than nationhood, why would Christians from different nations fight against each other? Why would Muslims from distinct countries engage in violent conflicts? Consider the cases of Orthodox Christians from Amhara and Tigray, or from Amhara and Eritrea, who, despite sharing the same religion, have historically been at odds. The reality is that when the nation is threatened, people, regardless of their faith, will unite in defense of their homeland. This is the core point that Ob. Shimelis was attempting to highlight.
The Role of Oromummaa in Defining Oromo Identity
Oromos, despite their religious diversity, share a profound bond through Oromummaa, which is our national identity. The choice to adopt Oromo names for ourselves and our children, instead of Arabic or Jewish names, is a declaration of pride in our Oromo heritage. It is entirely possible to embrace world religions like Christianity or Islam while still honoring our Oromo names and cultural identity. Acceptance of these religions should not require a rejection of our Oromo identity—Oromummaa.
Thanks to Waqa, many Oromo nationalists today advocate for unity in the pursuit of freedom. While unity is crucial, it is not sufficient by itself. For true liberation to occur, we must nurture additional virtues, which I will outline below. These virtues will help guide us as we navigate the complexities of our identity—particularly the interplay between our region, religion, and national identity.
Unity: A Key Virtue for Oromo Freedom
Unity among Oromo nationalists is not optional—it is essential for achieving freedom. This unity must extend to all Oromo nationalists, whether in opposition or within the ruling party, who are committed to the cause of Oromo self-determination. Once freedom is attained, we can engage in a referendum to determine the nature of our sovereignty, whether that means autonomy within Ethiopia, full independence, or a union of free peoples.
There is no ideological barrier that prevents Oromo nationalists from uniting for this purpose. Unfortunately, foreign powers and some factions within the ruling party seek to perpetuate the notion that our organizations are too different to collaborate. Regrettably, some Oromo individuals and even so-called allies echo this narrative. However, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) mindset, which underpins the majority of Oromo nationalist movements, is gradually bringing us closer to our ultimate goal of self-determination.
This mindset encompasses a multi-faceted approach:
- Maintaining the status quo through political engagement within the Oromo Peoples’ Party (OPP),
- Pursuing Oromia’s autonomy through the Oromia Federalist Council (OFC),
- Aspiring for Oromia’s independence, potentially as a Gadà Republic, and
- Envisioning a long-term goal of creating a union of free peoples in a globalized world.
Ten Key Virtues for Achieving Oromo Freedom
- Oromo’s Interest: The highest public interest for the Oromo people is freedom. Every action we take should serve the well-being and liberation of our people.
- Oromic Language: Language is at the heart of national identity. Just as Catalans or Corsicans assert their identity through language, we must prioritize the use of Oromic in all spheres of communication.
- Amanī Oromô (Respect for Wàqeffannà): Oromo faith, or Wàqeffannà, which is monotheistic in nature, must be respected by all, including followers of Christianity and Islam. Each Oromo has the right to choose their faith, but tolerance for our ancestral belief system is essential.
- Dynamic Unity: Unity must be flexible and adapt to the evolving needs of our liberation struggle. It is crucial to resist divisive forces and maintain a collective focus on our common goal.
- Respect for Oromo Diversity: Our nation is diverse, with varying regions, religions, and political affiliations. We must respect this diversity and avoid using it as a tool for division.
- Biyya Oromo (Oromia): Oromia has gained international recognition thanks to the sacrifices of our heroes and the efforts of the OLF. It should serve as the foundation for future regional and continental federations in Africa, and we must protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Positive Oromo Nationalism: Oromo nationalism should be inclusive, rooted in patriotism and justice, and avoid exclusionary practices based on ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
- Pursuit of Excellence: We must excel in all fields, including politics, science, culture, and sports. The world should recognize and respect the contributions of Oromo individuals, just as figures like athlete Qananisa Baqqala and Professor Gebisa Ejeta have done.
- Union with Neighboring Peoples: We support regional cooperation based on mutual respect and freedom. Any union—whether African or Ethiopian—must respect Oromia’s sovereignty and not compromise our liberty.
- Promotion of Oromia: Our goal must be to develop Oromia culturally, economically, and politically, while opposing any efforts to exploit or dismantle it.
Region, Religion, and Nation: Understanding Our Identity
An identity group is a collective formed by shared characteristics. For the Oromo people, our national identity—Oromummaa—is the primary grouping, while religion, region, clan, and party are subsets. Conflicts arise when people confuse the order of importance between these elements.
I personally grappled with this issue at one point, questioning whether religious identity was the primary group, with national identity as a secondary element. However, I realized that just like the Amhara and Tigray, whose Christian faith does not prevent them from prioritizing their national identity, the Oromo people must place Oromummaa above all else. Our religion, whether Christian, Muslim, or Waqeffata, should be viewed as secondary to our collective identity as Oromos.
A powerful historical example illustrates this: On April 15, 1980, Oromo heroes in captivity were offered a choice by their captors—to separate based on religion or face death. They chose to remain united as Oromos, affirming their identity over religious division. They sacrificed their lives for the unity of their people—an inspiring legacy of selflessness and commitment.
In the context of region and clan, the same hierarchy applies. While regional and clan identities are important, they must never overshadow Oromummaa. Oromo nationalists must resist the temptation to elevate clan or regional loyalty above our collective national identity.
Conclusion: The Primacy of Oromummaa
For the Oromo people to achieve lasting unity and freedom, we must recognize Oromummaa as the cornerstone of our identity. Religion, region, party, and clan should all be secondary to our national identity as Oromos. Only by embracing this understanding can we foster true unity and move toward a future of justice, equality, and freedom.
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2017/04/0 ... -religion/
By Fayyis Oromia*
In a recent statement, Ob. Shimelis Abdissa expressed concern that giving children names of Arab or Jewish origin might threaten the Oromo national identity, Oromummaa, which is inherently rooted in the Oromo culture and values. His statement has sparked criticism from some religious Oromos who believe that their faith holds a more prominent place than their national identity. However, it is important to understand that Ob. Shimelis, as a politician, is speaking from a political perspective, emphasizing the pragmatic need to protect our national identity.
If religion were indeed more important than nationhood, why would Christians from different nations fight against each other? Why would Muslims from distinct countries engage in violent conflicts? Consider the cases of Orthodox Christians from Amhara and Tigray, or from Amhara and Eritrea, who, despite sharing the same religion, have historically been at odds. The reality is that when the nation is threatened, people, regardless of their faith, will unite in defense of their homeland. This is the core point that Ob. Shimelis was attempting to highlight.
The Role of Oromummaa in Defining Oromo Identity
Oromos, despite their religious diversity, share a profound bond through Oromummaa, which is our national identity. The choice to adopt Oromo names for ourselves and our children, instead of Arabic or Jewish names, is a declaration of pride in our Oromo heritage. It is entirely possible to embrace world religions like Christianity or Islam while still honoring our Oromo names and cultural identity. Acceptance of these religions should not require a rejection of our Oromo identity—Oromummaa.
Thanks to Waqa, many Oromo nationalists today advocate for unity in the pursuit of freedom. While unity is crucial, it is not sufficient by itself. For true liberation to occur, we must nurture additional virtues, which I will outline below. These virtues will help guide us as we navigate the complexities of our identity—particularly the interplay between our region, religion, and national identity.
Unity: A Key Virtue for Oromo Freedom
Unity among Oromo nationalists is not optional—it is essential for achieving freedom. This unity must extend to all Oromo nationalists, whether in opposition or within the ruling party, who are committed to the cause of Oromo self-determination. Once freedom is attained, we can engage in a referendum to determine the nature of our sovereignty, whether that means autonomy within Ethiopia, full independence, or a union of free peoples.
There is no ideological barrier that prevents Oromo nationalists from uniting for this purpose. Unfortunately, foreign powers and some factions within the ruling party seek to perpetuate the notion that our organizations are too different to collaborate. Regrettably, some Oromo individuals and even so-called allies echo this narrative. However, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) mindset, which underpins the majority of Oromo nationalist movements, is gradually bringing us closer to our ultimate goal of self-determination.
This mindset encompasses a multi-faceted approach:
- Maintaining the status quo through political engagement within the Oromo Peoples’ Party (OPP),
- Pursuing Oromia’s autonomy through the Oromia Federalist Council (OFC),
- Aspiring for Oromia’s independence, potentially as a Gadà Republic, and
- Envisioning a long-term goal of creating a union of free peoples in a globalized world.
Ten Key Virtues for Achieving Oromo Freedom
- Oromo’s Interest: The highest public interest for the Oromo people is freedom. Every action we take should serve the well-being and liberation of our people.
- Oromic Language: Language is at the heart of national identity. Just as Catalans or Corsicans assert their identity through language, we must prioritize the use of Oromic in all spheres of communication.
- Amanī Oromô (Respect for Wàqeffannà): Oromo faith, or Wàqeffannà, which is monotheistic in nature, must be respected by all, including followers of Christianity and Islam. Each Oromo has the right to choose their faith, but tolerance for our ancestral belief system is essential.
- Dynamic Unity: Unity must be flexible and adapt to the evolving needs of our liberation struggle. It is crucial to resist divisive forces and maintain a collective focus on our common goal.
- Respect for Oromo Diversity: Our nation is diverse, with varying regions, religions, and political affiliations. We must respect this diversity and avoid using it as a tool for division.
- Biyya Oromo (Oromia): Oromia has gained international recognition thanks to the sacrifices of our heroes and the efforts of the OLF. It should serve as the foundation for future regional and continental federations in Africa, and we must protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Positive Oromo Nationalism: Oromo nationalism should be inclusive, rooted in patriotism and justice, and avoid exclusionary practices based on ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
- Pursuit of Excellence: We must excel in all fields, including politics, science, culture, and sports. The world should recognize and respect the contributions of Oromo individuals, just as figures like athlete Qananisa Baqqala and Professor Gebisa Ejeta have done.
- Union with Neighboring Peoples: We support regional cooperation based on mutual respect and freedom. Any union—whether African or Ethiopian—must respect Oromia’s sovereignty and not compromise our liberty.
- Promotion of Oromia: Our goal must be to develop Oromia culturally, economically, and politically, while opposing any efforts to exploit or dismantle it.
Region, Religion, and Nation: Understanding Our Identity
An identity group is a collective formed by shared characteristics. For the Oromo people, our national identity—Oromummaa—is the primary grouping, while religion, region, clan, and party are subsets. Conflicts arise when people confuse the order of importance between these elements.
I personally grappled with this issue at one point, questioning whether religious identity was the primary group, with national identity as a secondary element. However, I realized that just like the Amhara and Tigray, whose Christian faith does not prevent them from prioritizing their national identity, the Oromo people must place Oromummaa above all else. Our religion, whether Christian, Muslim, or Waqeffata, should be viewed as secondary to our collective identity as Oromos.
A powerful historical example illustrates this: On April 15, 1980, Oromo heroes in captivity were offered a choice by their captors—to separate based on religion or face death. They chose to remain united as Oromos, affirming their identity over religious division. They sacrificed their lives for the unity of their people—an inspiring legacy of selflessness and commitment.
In the context of region and clan, the same hierarchy applies. While regional and clan identities are important, they must never overshadow Oromummaa. Oromo nationalists must resist the temptation to elevate clan or regional loyalty above our collective national identity.
Conclusion: The Primacy of Oromummaa
For the Oromo people to achieve lasting unity and freedom, we must recognize Oromummaa as the cornerstone of our identity. Religion, region, party, and clan should all be secondary to our national identity as Oromos. Only by embracing this understanding can we foster true unity and move toward a future of justice, equality, and freedom.
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2017/04/0 ... -religion/