Cultural Post #1

[Melale Hailu]

One of my favorite aspects of Oromo culture is its music. I knew that I had to learn the language because when listening to its music even without understanding what was being said, the music was still able to invite an emotional reaction from me. I thought if I love Oromo music even without understanding the lyrics, I can’t imagine what kind of feeling it would invite when I do. Before diving deep into an actual authentic artifact, I think it’s important to discuss the significant and integral role music plays in Oromo culture. Music has been used as a source of social commentary for the Oromo people for quite some time. For instance, in 2018 Ethiopia was going through a politically transformative period where the Oromo youth along with the youth of other ethnic groups were on the streets protesting against the federal government, particularly its mass urban expansion project and consequently displacement of Oromo farmers from their land. During that time the Oromo music industry experienced a massive boom with artists from nearly every locale putting out intricate music videos and captivating lyrics commenting on these issues. Interestingly however, what I find personally most beautiful about these songs is that at first glance one would not assume that it is politically motivated music, rather it is when you listen closely and look for metaphors, symbolism, etc that you see the social commentary it is making. For instance, let’s explore an Oromo song that came out relatively recently and played at nearly every Ethiopian function, in nearly every Ethiopian household garnering more than 20 million views on YouTube in just one year. Funnily, its top comment reads “I’m from Mozambique, I didn’t understand a single word but I love this song”.  The song is by Yosan Getahun and it’s titled 3OBsa. The music video vividly captures people, old and young, dancing and wearing beautiful traditional clothing-its exciting and makes you get up on your feet. Behind the repetitive lyrics and enticing melody is the artist's intricate and intentional use of Afaan Oromo to metaphorically convey a very important message. Yosan speaks on the struggle of the Oromo people, specifically seeking justice for the fallen people who have spoken out against oppression. In the music video, we see a caged-up white horse, a metaphor that is used to call out the government and its imprisonment of political prisoners that are imprisoned merely for opposing the regime. The chorus of the song goes “Fardi Qofaan Kaatum, maa qofaa kaata…Didee garbuu nyaachuu luugama nyaata, Buloon garmaamu tola mana”. This translates into something along the lines of this “The horse is running alone, why is it running alone, he refuses to eat, the beauty of the horse is when it’s rolling around, why stay caged up”. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zlm6JVbi2U