History of Oromoo and Oromia.

History of Oromoo and Oromia.

​"Italy failed to conquer Ethiopia with tens of thousands of troops; yet a single Ethiopian militia captured Rome," they used to say, breaking Italian morale. They lifted up the ear of Captain Abebe Bikila and marched together. That became world news. When Captain Abebe ran along the asphalt road barefoot for 42.195 km, people exclaimed, "Is this even human?" and were filled with wonder.
​Ethiopia participated in the Rome Olympics for the first time, and with Captain Abebe Bikila winning a gold medal, it placed 22nd in the world. When he returned home victorious after the Olympics, a grand reception was held for Captain Abebe. All of Ethiopia rejoiced, their inner selves filled with light. Because the actions of Italy were still felt within them, they secured a second victory. Haile Selassie was also overjoyed and welcomed Abebe with great honor. During Haile Selassie's regime, speaking or singing in Afaan Oromoo was suppressed. This was except for Oromo singers who risked their lives to sing, such as Brraatuu Lammaa and others. However, on the day Abebe returned with victory, the entire population of Finfinnee mixed Afaan Oromoo and Amharic, singing and praising him with the words: "Ohoo ya shaggituu (2) Abbabaa Biqilaa Yaagabaashaal Xilaahun Gassasaa Yaadirishaal," expressing their joy.
​Since Artist Tilahun Gessesse was a very famous and respected Oromo youth at the time, they sang this to express their respect for Abebe and Artist Tilahun.
​Captain Abebe Bikila at the 1960 Rome Olympics
​"After the reception, Captain Abebe Bikila returned to the training camp and resumed his training and practice. While this was happening, in 1952, when Haile Selassie traveled to browse Brazil, the two brothers Garmame Neway and Mengistu Neway attempted a coup against Emperor Haile Selassie. Although they failed, they injured several of Haile Selassie's senior ministers. Haile Selassie quickly rebounded and took major actions against many individuals. Garmame and Mengistu were imprisoned and sentenced to death. Various military forces and many suspected individuals were rounded up into prison. Since Captain Abebe Bikila was in the Imperial Guard (Kibur Zabanya), he was suspected and faced the prospect of going to prison. However, after some time, following a search of all groups, Abebe was released as he had not participated in that act.
​After this time, he continued to strengthen his practice with his potential. He also continued to participate in various competitions across different countries. Four years after the Rome Olympics, once again in 1964 AD, traveling to Japan in the city of Tokyo, Captain Abebe Bikila finished the marathon in 2:12:11.2 for the second time, breaking his own record held against the Italian in Rome and amazing the world.
​With the gold medal won in this competition, the country of Ethiopia ranked 25th in the world. Captain Abebe did not only run the marathon, but he also ran various kilometer races at different times in countries such as Spain, Belgium, Germany, Japan, South Korea, etc., winning numerous competitions. When he ran in Rome he wore number 11, and in Tokyo he wore number 17. In 1968 AD, he traveled to Mexico City, Mexico, to run the 16th Olympic Marathon for the third time. As the race started, Captain Abebe was running ahead in 2nd place. However, as he ran 15 km, his foot slipped, forcing him to drop out. Just as he was about to drop out, he gently leaned over to Athlete Mamo Wolde and spoke only the words: "Do not disgrace our country, do not ruin the name, do it for me," before dropping out. The hero, in a time of duty, entrusted his friend with his love for the country, tears of love, and a testament to the nation. Athlete Mamo Wolde, to fulfill the testament of his friend and country, ran with fierce determination and finished 1st, making history for his country. He won with a time of 2:26.2. Athletes from other countries had been watching Captain Abebe.
​According to world history, up to the present day, Ethiopia is the only country whose athletes have won the Olympic Marathon three consecutive times with gold. Captain Abebe Bikila won in (1960, 1964) AD, and Mamo Wolde won in (1968) AD, raising the name of their country high in the world. As a living history remembered by the world regarding athletics, Captain Abebe Bikila ran barefoot and won the marathon in Rome. The record he broke has been improved by various athletes in modern times. However, up to this day, his record run barefoot has remained unbroken. Not just breaking it, various sports experts state that people will not even be able to run and finish it in the future. Writing based on the research group of the Jidda District Culture and Tourism Office (2010:20) quoting the IAAF:
"Abebe Bikila (1932–1973 G.C), Ethiopian track and field athlete, who won two Olympic gold medals in the marathon. The marathon at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Italy was only Bikila's third race at this distance, but he set a new world best time of 2 hours 15 minutes 16.2 seconds and also attracted attention by running the race barefoot (the designation world best is used instead of record because marathon courses differ greatly and a comparison of finish times is difficult)"
​This stated that Captain Abebe's strength was an example to the world. After achieving these victories, Captain Abebe began participating in improving the lives of the Oromo people alongside his training. He made a strong struggle to develop his country. He also had a road constructed from the town of Shano all the way up to Abichu Jato. While engaged in various movements, the unexpected happened to Captain Abebe in 1961. The hero of the people, the hero who raised his country's name worldwide—Captain Abebe Bikila suffered a severe injury. His entire body became paralyzed. Though it happened, the hero was harmed. To this day, there are various opinions regarding the cause of his injury. One group says a car hit him. Another group says his enemy or someone he had a conflict with lay in wait and injured him by disabling his body by force. Another group says he was injured during the 1961 student revolution, which prevented him from walking. Following this, in 1965, he passed away from a brain disease (cerebral haemorrhage) associated with that car accident, some say. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) noted that Abebe Bikila died from a car accident. Be that as it may, the Oromo hero who performed miracles in the world was subjected to severe harm in 1961, manipulated by conspiracies. All his limbs stopped working.
​Though sent abroad for medical treatment, he remained paralyzed. After his injury, a white man trained him in Paralympic sports in London, England, where he engaged in Wheelchair racing and various throwing events, and he became a reference and starting point for many writers. Due to publishing this book, he faced various pressures at the time.
​Art expert Yaddessaa Zawugaa is a strong expert born from Dandi, the origin of the Hora clan, who designed the Organization of African Unity (OAU) flag. Furthermore, he recently compiled a project exhibition documenting the names, pictures, and locations of 327 people killed through conspiracies in Oromia, preserving it for historical justice. During past wars fought for territorial expansion, under the leadership of ancestors Hora Ginno, decisions were made leading similar operations primarily around Western Shewa in Ambo, Waliso, Galan, etc. When Hora died, leadership was given to Asaaku. When Asaaku died, Boojii took over. Obbo Boojii ruled as a balabbaat (traditional ruler) around Abeebee Qeerransaa until he passed away in 1944, after which his son Zawugaa took over. Zawugaa was a hero who died for justice. He spared no effort to work for his people. In his life, he performed great and foundational works for his people. Under the oppressive Haile Selassie system—which wanted to suppress any mention of the Oromo—he courageously stood for his people's identity and suffered. Known as a knowledgeable person who preached love, unity, and diligence to his society, he was also known for peacefully reconciling those in conflict," they say. Furthermore, "He played a leading role in resolving blood feuds and establishing community peace," they say. However, the goodness of the Oromo turned into enmity for outsiders, bringing bloodshed.
​The Derg turned its attention toward them, transforming the homeland of great men—a homeland that had been lush and filled with quiet serenity—into heat, as fires began to blaze from it. Oh, save us! The Derg did this for two main goals. The first was to remove prominent Oromos who could oppose them and pressure their power, allowing them to live without worry. The second was to disarm all Oromos, ensure they had no means to move, prevent them from going to the forest to struggle, and imprison or kill those who could offer resistance, thereby securing its transitional power without doubt.
​Figures like Abubakar Moussa and many others who served as a guarantee for the country's change fell to the dust. Muhammad (2007:223) states that the Derg regime committed unspeakable atrocities and crimes against patriotic Oromo individuals with consciousness and education, as well as artists who sang in Afaan Oromoo, in order to suppress the human rights raised by the Oromos. Without any fault, solely for being Oromo, for caring about the Oromo, for singing Oromo songs, for raising questions of rights, and for speaking Afaan Oromoo, many Oromos were thrown into prison and beaten. Their skin was peeled off. They were tortured by being immersed in drums filled with water. Their bodies were weakened. Their minds were drugged. Solely for demanding the equality of nations and condemning the oppression inflicted upon them, many Oromos were persecuted. Directly and indirectly, Oromos were prevented from accumulating wealth, and even what they owned was ruined. Many Oromos were exiled from the country, and most of them were secretly abducted and killed. Others were murdered in broad daylight and their corpses thrown into ravines.
​When the Derg first seized power, pretending to care for the people, it proclaimed: "The land belongs to the people. Democracy must flourish. Human equality must be respected. No nation holds supremacy. Equality must prevail." While shouting this on the surface until it secured its seat, it practiced evil history underneath. Especially focusing on breaking the heads of Oromos, there was hardly anyone during its era whose family member did not die. Solely for speaking Afaan Oromoo, for asking for their rights, for thinking about the Oromo and Afaan Oromoo, thousands of heroes were exterminated by the fascist Derg.
​Throughout the many years past, successive regimes that ruled the country did nothing good or beneficial for the Oromo. Uprooting the son of the Gadaa from beneath his father's shade, they tried to rule through suppression and violations. When the homeland itself was restored to its rightful owners in 2010 when the son of the Gadaa seized power through the struggle of the Qeerroo, the country began to breathe and prisoners began to be released. Yet that became a source of jealousy for thieves and terrorists who claimed to be peaceful people, and collaborating with those same terrorists, the Oromo homeland was destabilized from various directions. History will surely change through the children of Oromoo, shaming the thieves.
​Figures like Dr. Haile Fida (Father of the Oromo Alphabet), Qees Gudina Tumsa (1979), Baroo Tumsa (children of the same mother), and near Ambo, the Derg invasion of 1968 targeted the homestead of Zawugaa Boojii. Sending four truckloads of soldiers, the Derg directed them to Gatiroo Jaaw, the homestead of Zawugaa, on February 8, 1968. Obbo Zawugaa and his family were sitting and listening to the radio. Along with Zawugaa's wife, Aadde Tasfaaye Allabbaa, their children Asiraat Zawugaa (13 years old), Solomon Zawugaa (18 years old), and family member Obbo Mamo Debisa, a hail of gunfire began to rain down on their house.
​"You will not die, we will kill together and die together," saying this, Zawugaa started shooting back at the Derg military. The heroes of the Abeebee Qeerransaa homestead lived close to one another; the main road starting from Finfinnee and traveling to Ambo cut right through the middle of their properties, with both houses situated right on the roadside.
​Sitting in the fire of external bullets raining down, Zawugaa resolved not to surrender and die, while Aadde Tasfaaye Allabbaa ordered, "Save the children's lives. I will surrender for your sake." Between life and death, torn by conflicting thoughts and great labor pains, the brave mother Tasfaaye Allabbaa took her young children and went out to the soldiers with Obbo Mamo. Caught in a double dilemma, her heart pulled backward by the death of her husband, yet bearing the lives and blood of her young children in her hands.
​Mul'ataa (Abba Jigsaa) was a deceptive and plotting figure who idealized mutual destruction. He was one of those who fought and led fighters in Northern Ethiopia at Maacoo during the Italian era. Today, when the gunfire blazes from Obbo Zawugaa's homestead, he refused to close his door and save his own life; reaching Zawugaa's homestead, knowing his own home would not be spared tomorrow, he chose the sacrifice of unity. To this day, Mul'ataa Badhane...