“As Long As We Live, Our Land Will Never Be Conquered by Outsiders” — A Promise Passed Down Through Generations

By Dhabessa Wakjira

There are promises that transcend generations. There are vows that are sealed not with ink, but with blood and bone. There are commitments that are not spoken but lived—passed down from fathers to sons, from mothers to daughters, from elders to youth, through the very fabric of cultural memory.

“Nuti otuu jirruu, biyyi keenya alagaan hin dhaalamtu.”

“As long as we live, our land will never be conquered by outsiders.”

This is not a slogan. It is not a political statement. It is a sacred vow—a pledge that the Oromo people have carried in their hearts for generations. It is a promise that was sealed by the blood of ancestors who gave their lives to protect their homeland, and it is a commitment that the current generation has sworn to uphold.

The Oromia Youth Association stands at the forefront of this sacred duty, committed to preserving this legacy and passing it on to future generations.

The Weight of History: A Legacy of Resistance

The history of the Oromo people is a history of resistance. For over a century, the Oromo people have faced systematic attempts to dispossess them of their land, erase their identity, and deny their humanity. From the expansion of the Ethiopian Empire under Menelik II to the brutal repression of the Derg regime to the ongoing marginalization under the current system, the Oromo people have endured wave after wave of oppression.

Yet they have never surrendered. They have never abandoned their land. They have never forgotten who they are.

This resilience is not accidental. It is the result of a deep and abiding commitment to the land that sustains them. The Oromo people’s connection to their homeland is not merely economic or political—it is spiritual. It is rooted in the belief that the land is sacred, that it is entrusted to them by their ancestors, and that they have a duty to protect it for future generations.

The Oromo proverb says: “Biyya abbaa keessaa hin ba’inu” —”One does not abandon the land of one’s father.” This is not merely a saying; it is a guiding principle of Oromo life.

A Promise Passed Through Blood and Bone

The vow to protect the land is not something that was written in a book or declared in a speech. It was passed down through the generations—through the stories told around the fire, through the songs sung at celebrations, through the rituals performed at sacred sites, and through the sacrifices made by those who came before.

This is the promise that the Oromo people have carried in their hearts:

• The promise of the warriors who fought against the expansion of the Ethiopian Empire
• The promise of the farmers who refused to abandon their fields, even when threatened with death
• The promise of the mothers who taught their children to speak Afaan Oromoo, even when it was banned
• The promise of the activists who risked their lives to speak the truth
• The promise of the Qeerroo youth who took to the streets to demand justice

“Kun waadaa abbootiin keenya dhiigaa fi lafeen eeganii nutti dabarsanii dha.”

“This is the promise that our fathers, with their blood and bones, defended and passed down to us.”

This is not a metaphor. The Oromo people have literally shed their blood to defend their land. They have literally sacrificed their bones—their bodies—to ensure that their children would inherit a homeland. The promise is etched in the landscape of Oromia, in the names of its rivers and mountains, in the songs of its people, and in the memories of those who have fallen.

The Role of the Oromia Youth Association

The Oromia Youth Association understands the weight of this legacy. It recognizes that the promise of the ancestors is not just a historical artifact—it is a living commitment that must be renewed by each generation.

The association’s vision is clear: to ensure that the Oromo youth are prepared to carry this promise forward and pass it on to future generations.

Protecting the Land

The association is committed to defending Oromo land from any attempts at dispossession. This includes:

• Advocating for the recognition of Oromo land rights
• Opposing any attempts to illegally separate Oromo land
• Raising awareness about the historical and legal basis of Oromo claims to their land
• Building solidarity with other communities who face similar struggles

Preserving Oromo Identity

The association recognizes that protecting the land is inseparable from preserving Oromo identity. This includes:

• Promoting Oromo culture, language, and traditions
• Ensuring that Oromo history is taught to the younger generation
• Celebrating Oromo achievements and resilience
• Building a sense of pride and belonging among Oromo youth

Building a Future of Justice

The association believes that true protection of the land requires justice. This includes:

• Advocating for an end to the oppression of Oromo people
• Supporting efforts to address historical injustices
• Building a future where Oromo people can live in dignity, peace, and prosperity
• Ensuring that the voice of the Oromo people is heard in national and international forums

The Challenge of Our Time

The promise of the ancestors is under threat. Today, as the Ethiopian government conducts a national dialogue that some view as a tool to further marginalize the Oromo people, the question of Finfinne and other Oromo territories remains unresolved. There are ongoing attempts to separate Oromo land, to undermine Oromo rights, and to deny the Oromo people their rightful place in their own homeland.

Yet the Oromo people have not wavered. The youth, in particular, have shown remarkable resilience and determination. From the Qeerroo movement to the cultural revival in the diaspora, young Oromo people are demonstrating their commitment to the promise of their ancestors.

As one Oromo youth leader declared: “Waldaan Dargaggoota Oromiyaa imaanaa kana eeguu fi dhalootatti dabarsuuf qophiitti jira.”

“The Oromia Youth Association is prepared to protect this promise and pass it on to the next generation.”

International Solidarity and the Oromo Cause

The Oromo struggle for land and identity is not just a local issue—it has international dimensions. The international community has a responsibility to recognize and support the rights of indigenous peoples, including the Oromo people.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) recognizes the right of indigenous peoples to their lands, territories, and resources. It affirms the importance of preserving indigenous peoples’ cultural identity, heritage, and historical connection to their ancestral territories.

The Oromo people are entitled to the same rights as other indigenous peoples around the world. They are entitled to live on their land, to speak their language, to practice their culture, and to determine their own future.

As the international community has shown in countries like New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and the United States, it is possible to recognize indigenous rights while ensuring equal citizenship rights for all residents. The Oromo people are not asking for special privileges—they are asking for justice.

A Call to Action: Honouring the Promise

The promise of the ancestors is not just something to be remembered—it is something to be lived. It requires action, commitment, and sacrifice.

For the Oromo Youth:

• Learn your history. Know the struggles and sacrifices of those who came before you. Understand what you are fighting for and why it matters.
• Protect your culture. Speak your language, practice your traditions, and celebrate your heritage. Your culture is your strength.
• Be vigilant. Stay informed about what is happening in your community and your homeland. Speak out against injustice and oppression.
• Build solidarity. Work with other communities and organizations that share your commitment to justice. Your struggle is connected to the struggles of others.
• Prepare the next generation. Teach your children, your siblings, and your peers about the promise of the ancestors. Ensure that they are ready to carry it forward.

For the Wider Community:

• Support the Oromo struggle for justice. Recognize the rights of the Oromo people to their land, their identity, and their future.
• Hold the Ethiopian government accountable. Demand that it respects the rights of the Oromo people and adheres to international human rights standards.
• Amplify Oromo voices. Listen to what the Oromo people are saying, and help their voices be heard in national and international forums.

Conclusion: The Promise Lives On

“Nuti otuu jirruu, biyyi keenya alagaan hin dhaalamtu.”

“As long as we live, our land will never be conquered by outsiders.”

This promise has been carried by the Oromo people for generations. It has been tested by fire, blood, and tears. It has survived attempts at genocide, cultural erasure, and political marginalization. And it endures today—carried in the hearts of the Oromo youth who are determined to protect their homeland and pass it on to future generations.

The Oromia Youth Association is proud to be part of this legacy. It is committed to protecting the promise of the ancestors, to defending Oromo land, and to building a future of justice, peace, and prosperity for all Oromo people.

The struggle is not over. The promise is not yet fulfilled. But the Oromo people have not wavered, and they will not surrender. As long as they live, their land will be free.

Nuti otuu jirruu, biyyi keenya alagaan hin dhaalamtu!

Injifannoon Ummata Oromoo!

Biyyi Oromoo haa jabaattu!

Dhaloonni itti aanu imaanaa kana eeguu qophi’aa jira!

This feature article is dedicated to all those who have sacrificed to defend Oromo land, to the youth who carry the promise forward, and to the generations yet to come who will inherit this sacred duty.