Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #965521 in Books
• Published on: 1998-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 301 pages

From the Back Cover
The contributors of this provocative but timely book argue that the Oromo nation is currently engaged in a liberation struggle from Ethiopia colonial ruling class and its supporters. The main objectives of the Oromo national movement are the restoration of the Oromo democratic tradition known as gada, liberation of Oromia from foreign domination, and the fundamental transformation of the Oromo nation politically, culturally and economically. It is further argued that the Oromo, who constitute a numerical majority in Eastern Africa, should build multinational societies based on consociational or real representative democracy.

This Timely collection of essays examines the historical and cultural factors that have contributed to the emergence and development of Oromo nationalism, the essence of this nationalism, and the prospects of the Oromo national struggle, as well as the Ethiopian reaction. The book provides a multidimensional and critical interpretation of the Oromo national movement by bringing together the expertise of outstanding intellectuals and prominent Oromo politicians.

Besides the editor, the contributors are Lemmu Baissa, Leenco Lata, Edmond Keller, Kuwee Kumsa, John Sorenson and Mohammed Hassen. Although the contributors have different approaches, they agree that the Oromo have been suffering under the domination of the Ethiopian and modern world systems. Their national struggle Fr self-determination social justice, and democracy has begun to have some impact. Further, the book makes the case that the Oromo national movement is gradually evolving as the main political and cultural force to counter Ethiopian colonialism.

About the Author
Asafa Jalata is an associate professor of Sociology and African and African American Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is the author of Oromia & Ethiopia, and has published extensively in various scholarly journals. He is the editor of the Journal of Oromo Studies.

Customer Reviews

A non-biased histroy of Oromos
It is the first book, I have ever read to bring the real history of the people of Oromia, who suffers in their land. I appreciate the author to write such a wonderful book. Most of the reviewers have tried to make their interest to be safe regarded and to be contained in the history of Oromo. They argue that with out Oromia, the Empire of Ethiopia seize to exist. I understand this. But to be honest Oromos are the most subjugated people in this world. The western governments are in a position to help this people but they do not want to do that.

Oromia shall be soon free of all its subjugators.

All are against the independence of Oromo.
1. Oromia is the land of Oromos, the bread basket of east Africa.

2. There are as many indegeneous Oromos as there are diverse Kenyans, as there are diverse Sudans. Each of Oromia, sudan and Kenya are believed to consist of approximately 30M people.

3. If Oromia becomes independent, who will till the land and feed the Proud Ethiopians?

4. The "great" grand fathers successfully deprived Oromos from getting necessary educations and analization that may make them aware of their power in the horn of Africa. Now, Asafa and others are trying to reverse this. If he goes back to Ethiopia, proud Ethiopians will hang him up because he betrayed the "Ethiopian Principle". "Ethiopia" is by definition "life at the expense of the Oromo people".

A concerned and proud Ethiopian from Shagar

IT IS VERY TIMELY!!
The book is timely and it is carefully and honestly written. I hope the western world realizes the suffering of the Oromo people in the Ethiopian Empire states sooner than later and I believe the book contributes a lot in this regard.