Oromo people
Cushitic ethnic group native to the Horn of Africa / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Oromo people (pron. /ˈɒrəmoʊ/ ORR-əm-oh[11] Oromo: Oromoo) are a Cushitic ethnic group native to the Oromia region of Ethiopia and parts of Northern Kenya.[12] They speak the Oromo language (also called Afaan Oromoo), which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family.[12] They are one of the largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia.[13] According to the last Ethiopian census of 2007, the Oromo numbered 25,488,344 people or 34.5% of the Ethiopian population.[14] Recent estimates have the Oromo comprising 45,000,000 people, or 35.8% of the total Ethiopian population estimated at 116,000,000.[15]
Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Ethiopia | 25,489,000 (2007)[1] |
Kenya | 739,839 (2019)[2] |
Sudan | 105,000 (2022)[3] |
Somalia | 41,600 (2000)[4] |
United States | 40,000[5] |
Canada | 5,890 (2021)[6] |
Australia | 4,310 (2021)[7] |
Languages | |
Oromo | |
Religion | |
Islam (55–60%), Christianity (40–45%), Traditional religion (Waaqeffanna) (up to 3%)[8] | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Somalis • Sidama • Gabra • Rendille • Iraqw • other Cushitic peoples[9][10] |
The Oromo were originally nomadic, semi-pastoralist people who later would conquer large swaths of land during their expansions.[16][17] After the settlement, they would establish kingdoms in the Gibe regions[18][19] and dynasties in Abyssinia.[20][21] The Oromo people traditionally used the gadaa system as the primary form of governance.[22][23] A leader is elected by the gadaa system and their term lasts eight years, with an election taking place at the end of those eight years.[24][25][26] Although most modern Oromos are Muslims and Christians, about 3% practice Waaqeffanna, the native ancient Cushitic monotheistic religion of Oromos.[27]