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The
Land
The
country of the Oromo is called Biyya-Oromo (Oromo country) or
Oromia (Oromiya). Oromia is a name given by the Oromo Liberation
Front to Oromoland, now part of the Ethiopian Empire. Krapf (1860)
proposed the term Ormania to designate the nationality or the
country of the Oromo people. This, most probably, originated from
his reference to the people as Orma or Oroma. Oromia was one of
the free nations in the Horn of Africa until its colonization and
occupation by Abyssinia at the end of the nineteenth century. It
is approximately located between 2 degree and 12 degree N and
between 34 degree and 44 degree E. It is bordered in the East by
Somali and Afar lands and Djibouti, in the West by the Sudan, in
the South by Somalia, Kenya and others and in the North by Amhara
and Tigre land or Abyssinia proper. The land area is about 600 000
square kilometers. Out of the 50 or so African countries it is
exceeded in size by only 17 countries. It is larger than France,
and if Cuba, Bulgaria and Britain were put together, they would be
approximately equal to Oromia in size.
The physical geography of Oromia is quite varied. It varies from
rugged mountain ranges in the centre and north to flat grassland
in most of the lowlands of the west, east and south. Among the
many mountain ranges are the Karra in Arsi (4340 m), Baatu in
Baaie (4307 m), Enkelo in Arsi (4300 m), Mul'ataa in Hararge
(3392m) and Baddaa Roggee in Shawa (3350 m).
Similarly,
there are many rivers and lakes in Oromia. Many of the rivers flow
westwards into either the Blue Nile or the White Nile, and others
flow eastwards to Somalia and Afar land. Among the large rivers
are the Abbaya (the Nile), Hawas (Awash), Gannaaiee, Waabee,
Dhidheessa, Gibe and Baaroo.
For
the peoples of Egypt, the Sudan and Somalia, life would be
impossible without these rivers. They carry millions of tons of
rich soil to Egypt, the Sudan and Somalia every year. Somalia
depends heavily on the Gannaalee (Juba) and Waabee (Shaballe)
rivers which come from Oromia. In fact Oromia supplies almost 100
per cent of the fresh water for Somalia, Djibouti and Afars. At
present the Ethiopian government depends heavily on Hawas (Awash)
water as a source of electric power for its industries and
irrigation water to grow sugar cane, cotton and fruits. The Wanji
and Matahara sugar estates are good examples. There is a great
potential in all these rivers for the production of electric power
and for irrigation. Qoqaa, Fincha, Malkaa Waakkenne, Gibee Tiqqaa
dams are examples of where hydro-electric power is already being
produced or in the process of being harnessed.
Among
the Oromo lakes are Abbaya, Hora, Bishofitu, Qoqaa, Langanno and
Shaalaa. Many of these lakes possess a great variety of fish and
birds on their islands and shores.
The
climate is as varied as the physical geography, although close to
the equator (to the north of it), because of the mountain ranges,
high altitudes and vegetation, the climate is very mild and
favorable for habitation. Snow can be found on the mountains such
as Baatu and Karra. In the medium altitudes (1800-2500 m) the
climate is very mild throughout the year and one of the best. Up
to 80 per cent of the population lives at this altitude and
agriculture flourishes.
The
low altitude areas (below 1500 m) in west, south and central part
are relatively warm and humid with lush tropical vegetation, and
although few live there permanently most graze their cattle and
tend their beehives there. Although there is little agriculture at
this altitude at present, it has great potential for the future.
As the highland areas are already eroded and over populated,
people are gradually moving to the lowlands. The low altitude
areas in the east and south-east are mostly semi-arid and used by
pastoralists seasonally.
The
vegetation of Oromia ranges from savanna grassland and tropical
forest to alpine vegetation on the mountaintops. The forests
contain a variety of excellent and valuable timbers. Oromia is
known for its unique native vegetation as well as for being, the
centre of diversity for many different species. For instance,
crops like coffee, anchote (root crop), okra, etc. are indigenous
to this area.
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