Social Groups
Oromo
African Peoples
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The Oromo are the largest single ethnic group in Ethiopia, a Cushitic-language-speaking people historically organized under the gadaa system, an age-grade democratic governance structure that rotated political, military and ritual leadership through generational classes rather than hereditary kingship. Oromo communities are found across a large swath of Ethiopia as well as parts of northern Kenya, and Oromo nationalism has been a major force in modern Ethiopian politics, including the protest movements of the 2010s that led to major political change in Ethiopia. Religious affiliation among the Oromo spans Islam, Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, Protestantism and the traditional Waaqeffanna belief system.
Facts
Group TypeSourced to the subject's own account Typical RegionSourced to the subject's own accountHorn of Africa (central, southern and western Ethiopia, and parts of northern Kenya) 1 Population EstimateSourced to the subject's own accountestimated 35 to 37 million 1 Primary LanguageSourced to the subject's own account Subsistence ModeSourced to the subject's own accountHistorically mixed pastoralism and agriculture, varying by region between highland farming and lowland cattle-keeping. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
Zar spirit-possession beliefs and healing rites are documented among Oromo communities in Ethiopia, where they are syncretized with indigenous Oromo spirit belief such as ayyaana.
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