The Oromo of Harerghe: On their Sub Divisions and Citizenship Modalities

The Harar Oromo male's cultural dress. (photo by Sida Dande released on facebook  https://www.facebook.com/mahamed.yasin.39?fref=ts )

 By Afendi Muteki

The three tribes of the Harar Oromo are divided to clans called ‘gosaa’. Many aspects of the family life and social activities of the people were influenced by clan based institutions. Currently, this phenomenon is very strong in the countryside where people’s tradition and customs are highly observed.

The Ittu Oromo is divided to ten clans; Baabbo, Alga, Waayye, Wacaale, Addaayyo, Arroojjii, Baaye, Gaamo, Gaadullaa and Qaalluu. The Afran Qallo Oromo has four clans called Oborraa, Baabbile, Daga and Ala (It is wrong to count Nole and Jarso as two of the four clans that make up the Afran Qallo as many writers do; both of them are parts of the “Daga” clan). The Anniya Oromo has seven clans grouped under two confederacies, called Saddacha and Kudhelle. The Sadacha confederacy has three clans called Babbo, Malka and Dambi. The Khodholle confedarcy has four clans called Bidu, Anna, Koyye and Macca.

Each clan is divided to sub-clans called “ibidda”. This “ibidda” inturn is divided to kinship groups called “warra”. It is this “warra” that denotes common origin of peoples and usually, each “warra” is called by a personal name which is regarded as the name of the ancestor of the “warra”. Most of the Oromos of Harerghe are able to count down their forefathers up to the man they consider as their bearing father (i.e. the ancestor of “warra”).

A person who belongs to the Oromo nation is called “lammii” (citizen). It is possible to be “lammii” in two ways: by birth and by adoption. Anyone who was born to the Oromo parents would be a “lammi” directly, and such a person is usually called “ilma gudeedaa” (”a child from the womb”).

Adoption was practiced in three ways.

1. "ilma guddisaa”: indicates the children that lost their parents at a battle field and adopted to the Oromo citizen. The person adopted in this way had full political and civil rights.
2. "ilma mixii”: children who are thrown by their bearer on the road and public places and adopted to an Oromo citizen. ‘Ilma mixii’ also had full political and civil rights.
3. ”ilma gosaa”/”ilma barcumaa”: this indicates aged persons who became Oromo citizens due to their service to the society and their extra ordinary skills (the Ittu Oromo say “ilma gosaa”, the Afran Qallo Oromo say “ilma barcumaa”). ”Ilma gosaa” had no right to be elected in the state, but he can elect the leaders of the state and members of “caffee” assembly.

A person who was adopted to an Oromo citizen must practice an Oromo culture; he should speak Afan Oromo and should had due respect for the society’s norms and ethical codes.

It was also possible to live in the Oromo land without having a “lammii” status. In this regard, however, giving a pledge to the society and the state was a must. A person who was welcomed by the Oromos in this manner was called “amba” (non-citizen). The “amba” had no right of election, neither would he involve in the political and administrative affairs. He, however, had no duty to give military service.