A workplace guide to honoring grief, resilience, and the legacy of those who sacrificed for Oromia

WORKPLACE — April 15th marks Oromo Martyrs Day, known in Afaan Oromo as Guyyaa Gootota Oromoo (Day of Oromo Heroes) or Guyyaa Yaadannoo Gootota Oromoo (Oromo Martyrs Memorial Day) . This solemn day commemorates the thousands of Oromo heroines and heroes who have sacrificed their lives over more than a century of struggle for Oromo freedom, dignity, and self-determination .

The date holds particular significance because of the Shinniigaa Incident of April 15, 1980, when ten high-ranking Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) military and political leaders were executed in the Shinniigaa desert after refusing to divide themselves by religion—choosing instead to declare “We Are Oromo First” and die together . Since then, April 15th has been observed as a day to honor all Oromo martyrs, past and present .

For Oromo colleagues, this day carries profound emotional weight—a time of grief, pride, reflection, and renewed commitment to the unfinished cause for which their heroes gave their lives . Creating a workplace environment that respectfully acknowledges this sacred remembrance demonstrates genuine inclusion and human compassion.

Here are ten ways to support your colleagues during Oromo Martyrs Day.

1. Understand the Significance of April 15th

Support begins with understanding why this day matters so deeply. Oromo Martyrs Day is not merely a historical observance but a living connection to ongoing struggle and sacrifice.

Key historical context:

• On April 15, 1980, ten Oromo leaders including Magarsaa Barii (Secretary-General of OLF), Gadaa Gammadaa, Abbaa Xiq, and seven others were executed after being captured by Somali bandits in the Shinniigaa desert
• Their captors ordered Muslims and Christians to separate, offering to spare Muslims—the Oromo leaders refused and died together, establishing a powerful legacy of unity transcending religion
• This day honors not only these ten but all Oromo martyrs throughout 120+ years of anti-colonial struggle
• Tens of thousands of Oromos have been imprisoned, tortured, killed, or displaced in successive waves of repression

When you understand that April 15th represents “the inheritance of a great example” and that martyrs’ “legacy is a sacred obligation,” you can appreciate the depth of meaning this day holds .

2. Acknowledge the Day with Sensitivity

A simple acknowledgment can mean a great deal—but tone matters enormously for a day of mourning and remembrance rather than celebration.

Appropriate acknowledgments:

• “I understand April 15th is Oromo Martyrs Day. I want you to know I’m thinking of you and your community today.”
• “I’ve been reading about the significance of this day. Please know I respect what it means for you and your people.”
• No need for lengthy statements—sincerity and presence matter more than eloquence.

What to avoid:

• “Happy Martyrs Day” or any celebratory language (this is a solemn remembrance)
• Pressuring colleagues to explain the day’s meaning (do your own research first)
• Performative gestures that feel like checking a diversity box
• Drawing attention to your own discomfort rather than their grief

The 15th of April “stands etched in the Oromo conscience as a day of solemn remembrance and unwavering pride” . Honor both the solemnity and the pride.

3. Respect Leave Requests and Reduced Capacity

For many Oromo colleagues, Martyrs Day involves community gatherings, memorial events, or simply time for private reflection. Some may need time away from work; others may be present but emotionally depleted.

Practical support:

• Process leave requests promptly and positively around April 15th
• Avoid scheduling important meetings or deadlines on or immediately after this date
• Understand that colleagues may have reduced capacity for several days surrounding the remembrance
• Check in gently about workload: “Is there anything I can take off your plate this week?”

As workplace inclusion research shows, managers who understand cultural and memorial observances can plan more sensitively, supporting both employee wellbeing and operational needs .

4. Create Space for Remembrance, Not Pressure to Educate

While some Oromo colleagues may appreciate opportunities to share about their martyrs, never place the burden of education on them. Your role is to listen and learn, not to demand explanation.

Respectful approaches:

• “If you feel like sharing anything about what this day means to you, I’m here to listen—but no pressure at all.”
• Pay attention if memorial events are publicly announced and consider attending if appropriate and welcome
• Learn from Oromo cultural organizations, diaspora communities, and written resources rather than expecting personal tutoring
• If your workplace has an Oromo employee resource group, support their initiatives without demanding they represent all Oromo perspectives

Remember that “every Oromo mother who hid a freedom fighter, every student who stood up in peaceful protest, every detainee who endured torture without breaking” is remembered on this day . The scope of loss is immense—approach with humility.

5. Be Mindful of Workplace Communications and Events

Oromo Martyrs Day may coincide with workplace activities. Thoughtful planning can prevent unintentional exclusion or insensitivity.

Considerations:

• Avoid scheduling mandatory social events on April 15th
• If workplace communications mention cultural observances, include Oromo Martyrs Day with appropriate respect
• When recognizing the day in internal communications, consult Oromo colleagues first about appropriate language
• Remember that for some colleagues, this day involves grief that may not be visibly apparent

One workplace found that “even the small actions of showing interest in each other has had a strong impact on engagement and wellbeing” . Small considerations around significant days matter enormously.

6. Understand the Day’s Themes: Unity, Sacrifice, and Continuing Struggle

Oromo Martyrs Day carries specific themes that shape how Oromo colleagues may experience it:

Central themes:

• Unity transcending division: The Shinniigaa martyrs’ refusal to separate by religion established “a principle that transcends politics, religion, or time”—the assertion that national identity and collective destiny take precedence over sectarian divides
• Heavy sacrifice: The day reminds that “Oromo liberation requires heavy sacrifices, and those who have given their lives for our freedom are our revolutionary models”
• Continuing obligation: Martyrs’ legacy is not passive memory but active responsibility—”we have historical obligations to continue the struggle that Oromo martyrs started until victory”
• Contemporary heroes: The day also honors “our current ones who are engaging in the bitter struggle and those who are suffering in Ethiopian prisons”

Understanding these themes helps you appreciate why this day involves not just grief but also “unwavering pride,” “renewed commitment,” and “the inheritance of a great example” .

7. Support Long-Term, Not Just One Day

While April 15th is the focal point, the issues it represents affect Oromo colleagues year-round. Genuine support extends beyond a single date.

Ongoing support:

• Stay informed about Oromo human rights concerns throughout the year
• If your organization engages with human rights or international issues, consider including Oromo voices and perspectives
• Support Oromo cultural initiatives, employee resource groups, and community organizations consistently
• Remember that for Oromo colleagues, news from Oromia may bring distress at any time—check in gently when major events occur

The martyrs’ spirits “live in the voices of protest songs, in the prayers whispered in churches and mosques, in the dreams of a liberated Oromia drawn by children in classrooms” . Supporting Oromo colleagues means recognizing that their connection to homeland and struggle is ongoing.

8. Avoid Political Debates and Assumptions

Oromo Martyrs Day exists within a complex political context spanning more than a century of colonial occupation, armed struggle, and ongoing conflict . This is not an appropriate time for workplace political debates.

Guidelines:

• Do not ask colleagues to explain or defend political positions related to Oromo liberation
• Avoid making assumptions about colleagues’ views based on their Oromo identity
• Refrain from debating Ethiopian politics in the workplace, especially around sensitive memorial dates
• If colleagues choose to share political perspectives, listen respectfully without argument

The day’s purpose is remembrance, not political debate. As one reflection notes, “Our heroes are not relics of the past. They live in the voices of protest songs, in the prayers whispered in churches and mosques, in the dreams of a liberated Oromia” . Honor that living memory without demanding political explanation.

9. Support Employee Resource Groups and Cultural Initiatives

If your workplace has an Oromo or Horn of Africa employee resource group (ERG), Martyrs Day presents an opportunity for meaningful support.

Ways to support:

• Amplify ERG communications about memorial events without taking over
• Advocate for resources that enable Oromo colleagues to observe the day as they wish
• Attend public events if invited and appropriate
• Ensure ERG initiatives are valued as contributions to workplace culture, not burdens

Workplace inclusion research demonstrates that “celebrating identity and heritage” through employee-led initiatives strengthens “cultural awareness, reduces unconscious bias and creates a sense of belonging” . When ERGs lead, everyone benefits—but the leadership and direction must come from the community itself.

10. Remember That Grief and Pride Can Coexist

Oromo Martyrs Day is not purely sorrowful. It also embodies profound pride in those who “created dignified history for our nation” and “opened a new historical chapter” through their sacrifice .

What this means for support:

• Colleagues may express both sadness and fierce pride—honor both
• Some may share stories of martyrs’ courage alongside tears—receive both with respect
• Understand that “celebration” language appears in some Oromo discourse about this day, referring to honoring legacy, not festivity
• The day calls for “renewing a commitment to the cause for which they had died”—this may inspire action, reflection, or both

As one reflection puts it: “Our heroes are still alive for they live in the hearts and minds of the Oromo people. Our heroes live with us in our homes, work places, schools, churches, mosques” . Your Oromo colleagues carry this living memory every day—on April 15th, they carry it with particular intensity.

What to Avoid: Common Mistakes

Don’t avoid them. Silence, even when motivated by fear of intrusion, can feel like abandonment.

Don’t demand explanation. “Why is this day important?” places unfair burden. Research first; ask respectful questions only if invited.

Don’t compare. Avoid comparing Oromo Martyrs Day to other memorial days in ways that minimize its unique significance.

Don’t politicize workplace. This is not an appropriate time for debates about Ethiopian government, the OLF, OLA, or any political faction.

Don’t expect uniformity. Oromo colleagues will observe and experience this day differently—respect individual variation.

Don’t forget afterward. A simple check-in after April 15th—”How are you doing now?”—shows ongoing care.

The Deeper Meaning: Why This Matters

Supporting colleagues during Oromo Martyrs Day is not merely about workplace policy or diversity checkboxes. It touches something more fundamental: the human need to have our deepest losses and proudest legacies witnessed by others.

For Oromo colleagues, knowing that coworkers understand—even partially—what April 15th represents can reduce the isolation that often accompanies grief. It signals that they are seen fully, not just as workers but as people carrying history, memory, and hope.

As one reflection on Oromo martyrs concludes: “The legacy of our martyrs is a sacred obligation for each and every one of us” . For non-Oromo colleagues, that obligation translates differently—not to continue the political struggle, but to honor the humanity of those who do, and to create workplaces where all grief and all pride can be held with dignity.

On this April 15th, may we all—whatever our background—honor the Oromo martyrs by standing in solidarity with their living legacy: our Oromo colleagues, friends, and community members who carry forward the dream of freedom, justice, and dignity for their people.

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Guyyaa Yaadannoo Gootota Oromoo — May the martyrs’ memory be eternal, and may their legacy guide us toward greater understanding and compassion.