Daily Archives: November 4, 2025
Irreecha: The Foundation of Oromo Nationalism
The Irreecha festival stands as a powerful foundation of Oromo nationalism. It is a vibrant testament to the Oromo people’s enduring commitment to preserving their identity, language, and culture against all odds. This commitment fuels a continuous struggle to reclaim and restore their dignity, a cause for which they are willing to make any sacrifice.
Among these celebrations, Irreecha Hora Finfinnee holds particular significance as a massive and profound demonstration of cultural pride.
The success of this cultural revival has been supported by the current government’s policy of cultural reform. This enabling environment has allowed the Oromo people, through events like Irreecha, to showcase their heritage and contribute to their collective social and cultural development.
During Irreecha, especially at the Malka site, the spirit of Oromo nationalism is palpable. Participants adorn themselves in traditional clothing and jewelry, creating a stunning visual representation of their culture. The sense of unity is boundless, as millions gather at Malka for a shared purpose.
This immense gathering does more than unite the Oromo people; it also creates a captivating spectacle for the wider world. The powerful display of unity and the convergence of diverse nations and nationalities have made Irreecha a significant attraction, drawing fascinated visitors from across the globe.
Significance of the Gaammee Gurguddaa in Oromo Culture
Borana Gaammee Gurguddaa Gather in Gayo Village for Traditional Rite of Passage
The Gadaa system, the foundation of Oromo culture, traditions, and governance, guides every Oromo child through distinct stages of development. This long-term process, known as Gadaa, is dedicated to acquiring, nurturing, and preparing successive generations for leadership.
A significant transition within the Borana Gadaa system is the progression from the Gaammee Gurguddaa stage to the Kuusaa. Before this advancement, children in the Gaammee Gurguddaa grade from various regions convene in a ceremony known as Walargii.
Bonayaa Diidoo, leader of the traditional Sona group at the Oromia Bureau of Culture and Tourism, explained to Fana Digital that Borana children of this age group, including those from Kenya, gather at Gumii Gaayyoo with their fathers’ support.
The primary purpose of the Walargii is for the Gaammee Gurguddaa of the same gogeessaa to meet, learn from one another, and build relationships. A further objective is to instill respect for the people’s laws, customs, and ethics, thereby strengthening communal unity. This gathering occurs once every eight years.
During the three-to-four-day ceremony, the community hosts and feeds the Gaammee Gurguddaa from the moment they begin their journey. At the Gayo Gumii, the Abbootii Gadaa and Abbootii Seeraa formally identify the children as being in the same leadership cohort and introduce them. The meeting takes place at the ancestral home of the former Abba Gadaa Guyyoo Gobba, where a ritual blessing is performed.
The Walargii ceremony serves as the first chapter in a major program, culminating in a second stage known as the “Feeding Ceremony” approximately ten months later.
For about five months following the Walargii, the Gaammee Gurguddaa undergo intensive training, refusing to return home. They immerse themselves in the people’s customs, traditions, and ethics. During this period, they sustain themselves solely on the meat and blood of animals, do not enter houses, and abstain from washing their bodies or clothes. They go barefoot, enduring these challenges to practice the rigors of traditional life.
When the time arrives according to the traditional calendar, the Gaammee Gurguddaa reunite with the Abbootii Gadaa, Luboota, and jaarrolee for the grand “Feeding” ceremony. While a feast is central to the event, it is also a forum for significant challenges and evaluations.
The trainees compete and are rigorously assessed on their physical strength, understanding of Gadaa rule, and public speaking skills. The most successful individual among the Gaammee Gurguddaa is selected by the elders and the public to be groomed as a future Adula Council Scholar. They are blessed and gains recognition throughout the tribe, and when he comes of age, he will become a Gadaa leader and receive the baallii (sceptre).
Recently, the Gaammee Gurguddaa of Borana Gayo convened for their Walargii in the Dhas District of the Eastern Borana Zone.
Advocacy for Oromia 