Ethiopia’s Oromo people have an indigenous philosophy known as Namummaa, or “humanness”, which places relationships and peace at the centre of social life. The Oromo are Ethiopia’s most populous ethnic group, making up about 38% of the country’s population of 105 million people. Most live in Oromia, a region that covers about a third of Ethiopia’s land area. Oromia is a political powerhouse that plays a central role in shaping Ethiopia’s trajectory.
Drawing on his research into Oromo traditions and customs, Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo explains how Namummaa shapes ideas of conflict resolution – and why its lessons may be relevant to a country grappling with political and ethnic divisions.
