Oromiya (Ethiopia)

Oromiya National Regional State

Last modified: 2008-02-09 by zeljko heimer
Keywords: oromiya | oromo | ethiopia | tree | star |
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(1) by Jaume Ollé

(2) by Jorge Candeias

• Presentation of Oromiya
• Flag of Oromiya
• Oromo traditional colours
• Oromo Liberation Front
• Oromo Ruling Party
• Front for Independent Democratic Oromia

See also:

• Ethiopia
• Clickable map of Ethiopian subdivisions
• Ethiopian Flag Stamps with somewhat differently depicted flag

Presentation of Oromiya

According to the Ethiopian Parliament site, Oromia is the largest of the new states. It "at present comprises of 12 administrative zones and 180 woredas. Of the 12 zones, Bale and Borena account for 45.7% of the State's total area but only about 14% of the state's population." "The State of Oromia borders Afar, Amhara and the State of Benshangul/Gumuz in the north, Kenya in the south, The State of Somali in the east, the Republic of the Sudan and the state of Benishangul/Gumuz in the west, the State of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' and the state of Gambella in the south." "Based on the political map (1994 Population and Housing Census Commission, CSA), the estimated area of the State of Oromia is about 353,690 Km², and accounts for almost 32% of the country." The capital is "Finfine (Addis Ababa)", I suppose that this means that part of Addis Ababa belongs to the state. Again, this is a state based on ethnical distribution, having a large majority of Oromo population (85%).
It's difficult to get an idea of this state's geography in relation to the old provinces. Since it borders Kenya and Sudan, it has to be an elongated state with a sort of "arm" to the west, or somewhat triangular along central Ethiopia. The old provinces of Shawa and Arsi should be totally within Oromia, and also at least parts of Sidamo. The connection with Sudan is probably through Gojam.
Jorge Candeias, 29 December 1999

Flag of Oromiya

Flag image above (1) according to [flm] Flagmaster nr. 93 (Spring 1999). Reports vary in flag ratio and shape of the tree. (Ed. based on report from Jaume Ollé, 1999)

The flag is very similar to that posted by Jaume: a red-white-black horizontal tricolour with a tree centered (2). Here's the only difference: the tree at the site of the Ethiopian Parliament is less stylized and not entirely green. It is perhaps a specific tree, but unfortunately there's no "flora" section in the website.
Jorge Candeias, 29 December 1999

contributed by Tesfaye Gabriel, 27 January 1999

Before colonization, the Oromo nation was free and had their own social, political and legal system. This system is called "Gadaa", and it is a system that has guided the religious, social, political, economic, their philosophy, art, history and method of time keeping. In Gadaa system the Oromo society is grouped according to their age and undertake different responsibilities in different ages.

In Gadaa system, the Oromo practiced their own religion by worshipping Waaqa which means God. Waaqa is one and the same for all. The religion affairs is undertaken by Qaallu/Qaallitti (male/female) just as any religion leader (Bishop, Imam, Rabbi, ...). Qaallu/Qaallitti plays both a spiritual and political role in Gadaa system where different national ceremonies are organized and overseen by Qaallu/Qaallitti institution. It was also a repository of important ceremonial articles or collective symbols like in the Buttaa ceremony, the bokku (scepter), the national flag, etc.

The national flag is made in the colors of the Qaallu turban (surri ruufa). The national flag has three colors: black at the top, red in the center and white at the bottom (all of them have the same size). In the Gadaa, the three colors black, red and white, represented those yet to enter active life, those in active life and those who had passed through active life, respectively, in short we can say, the past, current, and future.
Thanh-Tâm Lê, 11 February 1999

The flag is also shown on the chart Flags of Aspirant Peoples [eba94] (listed uder nr. 24)
Antonio Martins 29 May 2003

by Thanh-Tâm Lê, 27 January 1999

In a 1992 magazine I found a picture showing the flag of Oromo Liberation Front, an Ethiopian armed movement for the independence (or supremacy ?) of Oromo people. The flag is 3 horizontal (red green red) striped with a yellow rayed disc; inside it the green shape of Oromo land [in fact, a tree. Ed.] and above a red star.
Giuseppe Bottasini, 24 June 1996

The flag of the Oromo Liberation Front, appeared in [flm] Flagmaster No. 068 - 1991, p.7. This brief news article gives the colour details of the flag. The only actual colour meaning it gives is the central yellow Sun. The red star would symbolize the left-wing political direction of this movement, I assume. It also lists the then address of the Oromo Relief Association ( 1 Amwell Street, London, EC1R 1UL, England ). This flag also appears on my flag chart, [eba94] Flags of Aspirant Peoples, flag no. 24.

Ralph Bartlett, 20 November 2004

by Jaume Ollé

Source: [flm] Flagmaster nr. 93 (Spring 1999).

image by Valentin Poposki, 25 April 2007

You'll notice that the flag is very similar to the flag of Oromo Liberation Front. The FIDO web site describes its mission: "The central mission of the Front for Independent Democratic Oromia (FIDO) is to utilize all necessary means recognized by United Nations General Assembly to liberate the Oromia people from the political tyranny and domination of Ethiopian government so that the people of Oromia can exercise their inalienable right for self-determination."
The flag is shown on the their site at www.fidohome.org.