A towering figure of Oromo art and struggle passes, leaving a legacy of resistance through music

GLOBAL — The Oromo community is in mourning following the passing of veteran artist and dedicated freedom fighter Abdulhakim “Abdiyuun” Habib, a prominent singer, composer, and cultural icon whose life was devoted to the advancement of Oromo art and the struggle for Oromo liberation. His death has left a profound void in the hearts of those who knew him and the countless fans whose lives were touched by his music and activism .

The Oromo Liberation Front (ABO) issued a statement expressing deep sorrow: “We express our immense grief at the passing of the senior freedom fighter and singer Artist Abdiyuun Habib. He has rested in death” .

Early Life and Formation

Artist Abdiyuun Habib was born in 1956 in the historic eastern Oromia city of Dire Dawa, in the Lagaharre neighborhood, to his father Habib Usmaan and mother Raaziyaa Mummad . He grew up in Dire Dawa, a cosmopolitan city known for its cultural diversity and rich artistic traditions, which would profoundly influence his development as an artist.

For his formal education, Abdiyuun attended the Islamic religious school known as Madrasa Jadiida in the Laga-Harree neighborhood, where he studied up to the eighth grade . This early exposure to education and religious learning provided a foundation for the intellectual depth that would later characterize his artistic work.

A Life Dedicated to Oromo Art

From early in his life, Abdiyuun collaborated with numerous renowned artists from the eastern region, working both individually and in groups to advance Afaan Oromo and Oromo art . His contributions spanned multiple genres—he was a singer, a composer, and a performer whose work earned him a prominent place in the history of Oromo art .

Abdiyuun produced beautiful and meaningful cassette recordings throughout his career. Among his most beloved works were collaborations with other artists, producing music that resonated deeply with Oromo audiences. One of his famous songs, “Abbaan Fardaa nii Boonaa” (The Horseman Boasts), remains cherished by fans for its artistic beauty and cultural significance .

Artist and Freedom Fighter

Between 1991 and 1993, Abdiyuun became a member of the HAWWISOO CAFFEE GADAA (the cultural troupe of the Oromo Liberation Front) in Dadar, where he played a significant role in awakening and mobilizing the masses through art, encouraging them to support the Oromo liberation struggle . His work during this period exemplified the Oromo tradition of art as a weapon in the fight for freedom.

When the Oromo Liberation Front withdrew from the transitional government, Abdiyuun and other artists continued as members of the WBO cultural troupe, entering the battlefield and participating directly in the armed struggle while fulfilling their duties as fighters . The ABO sent members of the cultural troupe to Djibouti to rescue them from enemy persecution.

In 1995, when the Djibouti government changed its position toward the organization, it forced the cultural troupe and other members to leave the country. Unable to return to the battlefield with his comrades, Abdiyuun remained in Djibouti . Despite the difficulties of exile, his history, his art, and the struggle he waged for his people will be remembered by all generations.

A Legacy of Resistance

Abdiyuun Habib’s life exemplified the inseparable connection between Oromo cultural expression and political struggle. Like his contemporaries—artists such as Nuhoo Goobanaa, Elemo Ali, and others—he understood that art was not merely entertainment but a vital medium for preserving Oromo identity, raising political consciousness, and mobilizing resistance against oppression.

His work with the HAWWISOO cultural troupes represented the institutionalization of this vision, bringing artistic expression directly into the service of the liberation movement. The songs created during this period—including those from the cassette he produced with fellow artists—continue to resonate with Oromos who remember the struggle and inspire younger generations discovering his work.

Community Mourning

Following news of his passing, tributes have poured in from across the Oromo community, both within Oromia and throughout the diaspora. Fans, fellow artists, and activists have shared memories of how Abdiyuun’s music touched their lives and inspired their commitment to Oromo causes.

The ABO statement expressed the collective grief: “Artist Abdiyuun, a senior freedom fighter and singer, a hero of Art and the star of the Caffee Gadaa cultural troupe, has passed away while fighting for Oromo and Oromia. We once again express the deep sorrow we feel at losing him” .

Condolences

The Oromo Liberation Front extended its condolences to all those affected by this loss: “We wish paradise for our beloved brother, and patience and strength for the family, relatives, and the entire Oromo people” .

As the Oromo community mourns this profound loss, they also celebrate a life lived in faithful service to the people and the cause. Abdiyuun Habib’s music will continue to inspire future generations, his voice echoing across time as a testament to the power of art in the struggle for justice and freedom.

Injifannoon Ummata Oromoof! (Victory to the Oromo People!)
Qabsaawaan Ni Kufa Qabsoon Itti Fufa! (The freedom fighter never dies, the struggle continues!)