Central Oromia— In the heartlands of Central Oromia, across the highlands of West Shawa and Southwest Shawa, a sacred flame continues to burn. The sons of Liiban Maccaa — Walisoo, Amayyaa and Kuttaayee — are actively fulfilling their duties within Gadaa Birmajii, ensuring that the ancient Oromo Gadaa system is passed down from generation to generation, unbroken and undiminished.

A System That Never Sleeps

The Gadaa system, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is the traditional democratic, social, and spiritual governance structure of the Oromo people. It organizes society into age sets and generational grades, each with distinct roles, responsibilities, and rights. Among these, the Birmajii grade represents a critical stage — a time when young men prepare for leadership, defend their community, and uphold the sacred norms of Oromo life.

What sets the sons of Liiban Maccaa apart is their unwavering dedication. In Central Oromia, West Shawa, and Southwest Shawa, these communities have preserved the Gadaa system without interruption, carrying it forward across generations with reverence and pride.

The Seven Who Hold the Jila

Among the three sons of Liiban, it is the seven from the Horii lineage of Kuttaayee who hold the Jila Gadaa — the sacred leadership and ritual responsibility of the grade. Their duty is profound and their journey demanding.

The Gadaa group of Roobalee sets out to receive Baallii (Alangee) — the symbolic transfer of power and responsibility that marks the transition into Birmajii. This transfer is not merely ceremonial; it is a covenant. It binds the incoming generation to the duties of leadership, protection, and service to the community.

Rain, Blessing, and Endurance

In the Oromo worldview, rain is a sign of blessing — a gift from Waaqa (God) that nourishes the land and its people. Yet even when the rains come, the Roobalee do not rest. They sing in the rain, and they do not allow the abundance of milk and prosperity to distract them from their sacred mission.

“The Roobalee sing along with the rain, and the abundance of milk and success has not made us forget our duty,” the report recounts. “Whether in good times or hard times, they have seen it through.”

The message is clear: Birmajii is not a fair-weather calling. It demands endurance, sacrifice, and faithfulness — in seasons of plenty and in seasons of want.

A Call of Honor and Blessing

The words of the community ring with pride and blessing:

“The Birmajii have taken the Alangee and are preparing to complete their covenant — today they have cut the buttaa. May the news of your deeds reach the ears of those who need to hear it. Congratulations on reaching the fourfold blessing of your fathers and the eightfold blessing of your grandfathers. You have accomplished what was asked of you — and you make us proud.”

The “fourfold blessing of the fathers” and the “eightfold blessing of the grandfathers” speak to the deep ancestral roots of the Gadaa system — a chain of blessing and responsibility that stretches back through time, linking each generation to those who came before.

The closing blessing, “Ginna milkii ciisaa” — a wish for peace, prosperity, and rest — crowns the message with the hope that the labor of the Birmajii will bring abundance and tranquility to the community.

A Living Heritage

The sons of Liiban Maccaa are not merely preserving a tradition — they are living it. Every ritual, every journey, every song in the rain is an act of cultural survival and spiritual renewal. In a world that often pressures communities to abandon their heritage, these young men stand firm, proving that the Gadaa system remains a vibrant and vital force.

Their story is a reminder that culture is not a museum piece. It is alive — carried in the feet that walk to receive the Alangee, in the voices that sing with the rain, and in the hearts of a generation determined to honor its ancestors.

Baga oofkaltan!