Heritage
The Oromo People
The Oromo are one of the largest peoples in Africa, united by the Afaan Oromo language and a shared cultural system centered on the democratic Gadaa institution.
The Gadaa System
A UNESCO-recognized indigenous democratic system organizing social and political life in age-sets and eight-year cycles, emphasizing consensus, accountability, and rule of law.
Cultural Traditions
Rich music, dance (shaggoyee), poetry, and oral traditions sustain identity across regions and the global diaspora.
The Oromo originate in the Horn of Africa, predominantly in Oromia. Oromo communities also live in northern Kenya and parts of Somalia. Afaan Oromo is among Africa's most widely spoken languages and anchors Oromo identity worldwide.
Historically, the Oromo expanded through peaceful integration and complex social systems. Despite periods of marginalization, Oromo culture, language, and institutions have endured and flourished at home and in the diaspora.