MELBOURNE – In a quiet corner of Melbourne’s bustling CBD, the soft glow of candlelight illuminated a profound legacy on Saturday evening. The Oromo community in partnership with the OLF Victoria Chapter, hosted a heartfelt candlelight vigil to honor the life and indelible contributions of the late Professor Asmarom Legesse.

Held at the Ross House Association on Flinders Lane, the gathering transformed the modest meeting space into a sanctuary of memory and reverence. From 5:30 pm, members of the Victorian Oromo diaspora, students, and community elders came together for an evening steeped in reflection, prayer, and cultural pride.

The vigil served as a poignant tribute to a man whose intellectual light guided generations. Professor Legesse, a distinguished anthropologist and Eritrean-born scholar of Oromo heritage, dedicated his life to preserving and interpreting the ancient Gadaa system—a traditional, indigenous system of governance recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

For the Oromo people, Professor Legesse’s work was more than academic; it was an act of preservation. At a time when Oromo history and identity were systematically suppressed, his tireless research provided the scholarly foundation that validated the sophistication and democratic principles of Oromo culture for the world.

“It was an evening of reflection, prayer, and light as we commemorate his life,” a spokesperson for the organizers told those gathered. “Professor Legesse’s tireless dedication to the Oromo people and his preservation of the Gadaa System has left an indelible mark on our history.”

Attendees held candles high, their flames symbolizing the knowledge passed down through the ages—knowledge that Professor Legesse meticulously documented in seminal works like Gada: Three Approaches to the Study of African Society. The flickering lights also represented the hope that his teachings will continue to guide the Oromo struggle and identity for generations to come.

The atmosphere was one of communal mourning mixed with quiet celebration, as speakers shared anecdotes of the professor’s commitment and clarity. For the younger generation of the diaspora, the event was a vital connection to a homeland many have only heard about through the lens of their parents and scholars like Legesse.

As the vigil concluded, the message was clear: while the man may be gone, his wisdom must never fade.

LET HIS WISDOM SHINE ETERNALLY.