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What Is Oromo Music?

Oromo music originally comes from Oromia, Ethiopia, the largest and most populated of Ethiopia's nine states. The Oromo people were colonized by the African nation of Abyssinia in the late 1800s, early 1900s. Oromia was once one of the most populous nations in Africa but today the name is nearly forgotten. The pain of their struggle under the persecution of African rulers has been captured by their music.

  1. History

    • The people of Oromo are originally nomadic people from Ethiopia. Today, nearly 40 to 55 million Oromo people are scattered around Africa. During the early 1900s, many Oromo people escaped Ethiopia to flee from the persecution that they would suffer under the rule of the Abyssinian empire.

    Function

    • The lyrics and the themes of Oromo music are generally about a love of the native country and a yearning to return.

    Features

    • Oromo music traditionally is created by a variety of instruments. It includes frame drums, similar to the drums Native Americans use, the krar and an instrument called the masengo. The krar is a type of lyre used for spiritual and sacred music. It is played in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The masengo is a one-string fiddle popular in world music.

    Types

    • Oromo music, like many different music of the world, changes over time. Oromo music varies depending on where it originates--Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea or the United States. Many people from Oromia have settled in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, area.

    Fun Fact

    • Another name for the Oromo people is Galla. It is the name that many Oromo people preferred to be called.

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