Feature Commentary: Odaa Nabee – The Living Heart of Tuulama Gadaa

Deep in the Galaan area of the Tuulama territory, within the Oromo Nation, stands a profound symbol of history, law, and community: Odaa Nabee.

More than just a ancient sycamore tree, Odaa Nabee is a sacred parliament, a living archive, and the pulsing heart of the Gadaa system for the Tuulama Oromo. Located south of Dukem, in what was historically the Aqaaqii area under the Shaggarii administration, this site is hallowed ground.

For generations, beneath the shade of its sprawling branches, the three sons of Tuulama—Daaccii, Bachoo, and Jiille—have gathered. Here, they have mediated the flow of the Awash River through consensus, meticulously observed the cycles of the Gadaa calendar, and convened assemblies where elders and leaders resolved conflicts. This is where Tuulama has historically administered justice—exacting compensation, facilitating reconciliations, settling disputes, and giving thanks to Waaqaa (God). It is the very stage where the sacred responsibility of Gadaa is transferred from one generation of leaders to the next.

Odaa Nabee is one of the five major Odaa (ritual trees) of the Tuulama, and it holds a unique honor: it is here that the Michillee grade, after 40 years of preparation, finally ascends to assume full Gadaa leadership. The ground itself is considered a dirree ulfoo—a field of honor and respect.

The significance of the site is magnified by its isolation. Unlike other areas where multiple great Odaa trees might be found, the landscape around Odaa Nabee is not densely forested. This solitary, ancient giant rises from the earth, making its presence all the more commanding and singular.

The Gadaa ceremony enacted here follows its own sacred rhythm. Once performed, the ritual is not repeated at this site for another eight years, lending an immense gravity to each gathering.

Yet, this profound tradition faces modern anxieties. As voiced by Tuulama Gadaa members to the BBC, there is deep concern that the very arda (ritual grounds) where the Michillee grade celebrated its inaugural ceremony is now under threat. The potential loss of such a space is not merely a logistical issue; it is seen as a severing of a vital cultural nerve, an erosion of identity.

The Name: “Odaa Nabee”

The name itself carries layered meaning. Odaa is the sycamore, the undeniable anchor of Oromo democratic and social life. Nabee resonates with spiritual depth. From Arabic, it means “prophet,” suggesting a tree of wisdom and divine message. From Korean (Nabi), it translates to “butterfly,” a symbol of transformation, beauty, and the soul. Thus, Odaa Nabee can be understood as the “Prophet Tree” or the “Tree of Spiritual Transformation.” It perfectly encapsulates its role: a fixed, enduring natural entity around which the cyclical transformation of society, leadership, and the human spirit gracefully unfolds.

In essence, Odaa Nabee is not a relic. It is a living institution. It represents the Oromo ethos of godaansa (succession), araara (reconciliation), and eternal dialogue between the past, present, and future. Its potential endangerment is a alarm bell for the safeguarding of an entire world view—one where justice is dispensed under open skies, guided by the ancestors and the enduring branches of a prophet tree.