Oromo Music Playlist: Historical Memory and Competing Nationalisms in Ethiopia

<p><strong><em>"I did not know how to write lyrics and melodies until I was put behind bars."</em></strong></p> <p><cite><strong>Hachalu Hundessa</strong><br>Ethiopian singer in 2017</cite></p> <figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xAXHJvYSRkY" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure> <p>This week's episode looks at Oromo Music: Historical Memory and Competing Nationalisms in Ethiopia. <a href="https://thefunambulist.net/magazine/against-genocide/tigray-oromia-and-the-ethiopian-empire">Oromia has a complex history. </a>The Oromos' first music and culture festival was held in Finfinne in 1977. They came together from all parts of Oromia for the first time since the Oromos were conquered, broken and fell under the Abyssinian colony. It was a turning point where the Oromo could come together and show off their cultural music and dances after being completely separated from gathering for more than 100 years. </p> <figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bOY_6z-cNYI" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure> <p>Popular Oromo singers include Abitew Kebede, whose songs include accents of the traditional <em>masinko</em>, a single-stringed African instrument in Yaani Koo. </p> <figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ag8GWu96xBI" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure> <p><strong>Traditional music includes singing with nostalgia for lost nationhood.</strong></p> <figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Otb9t0zUMn0" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure> <p><strong><strong>Contemporary Electronic Oromo Music</strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Umar Alii Faarah</strong></p> <figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/J4TcYewYvc4" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure> <p><strong><br></strong><strong>Ali Birra </strong></p> <p>Ali Birra (born Sept. 29, 1950) is a famous Oromo singer, composer, poet and nationalist. He was born in Lagaharre village in the city of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. This album is an introduction to classic contemporary Oromo Music.<strong><br></strong></p> <figure><strong><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/B-uobBTqLa4" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></strong></figure> <figure><strong><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0kH52_BrOf8" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></strong></figure> <p><strong>Wegayehu Degnetu</strong> sings <em>Arke Uumaa Uumaa</em></p> <figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4ZX_CsA1wec" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure> <p><strong>Kino Musica</strong></p> <figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kjsWgw68F2s" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure> <p><strong>Kumera Zekarias</strong><strong><br></strong></p> <figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1xJETByzg7A" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure> <p><strong>Brand New Borana Songs </strong></p> <figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/R5VIcYHZXjo" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure> <p><strong>Nama Guba</strong></p> <figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/F_1miMx_EQg" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure> <p><strong>Hachalu Hundessa, a m</strong><strong>usician and political activist. </strong><strong><br></strong></p> <figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bH61mCEclSw" allowfullscreen="" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>