Galma Araaraa: A Spiritual Journey of the Oromo People
A ceremony of reconciliation, peace, and renewal marks a profound cultural resurgence for the people of East Shewa.
DIRREE BADHAAS, OROMIA – In a powerful display of cultural and spiritual revival, the Waaqeffannaa community recently conducted the sacred Galma Araaraa (House of Reconciliation/Restoration) ritual within the revered Dirree Badhaas ritual ground. This profound ceremony, described by participants as a monumental sign of reclaiming their ancestral identity, wove together deep spiritual homage, ecological connection, and intergenerational transmission.
The Galma Araaraa was enacted as a multifaceted ritual of restoration. It began with devoted prayers to Waaqa (the Supreme Being) at the site, followed by rituals performed within the surrounding natural landscape (duudhaa gaa’elaa), emphasizing the inseparable bond between the community, their spirituality, and their environment.
A central and hopeful aspect of the gathering was the active involvement and education of the younger generation (dhaloota haaraa), ensuring the continuity of this sacred knowledge and practice. The rituals culminated in community-wide celebrations featuring traditional songs of blessing (qabbanaa) and joyous dances (marabbaa), transforming the site into a vibrant hub of collective expression.
Elders and spiritual leaders present articulated that the Galma Araaraa served a higher purpose than a single event. It was, they stated, a deliberate act of constructing five essential spiritual houses: a House of Peace (galma nagaa), a House of Joy (galma gammachuu), a House of Resolution (galma furmaataa), a House of Motivation (galma dammaqiinsaa), and a House of Unity (galma waloomaa).
“The successful completion of this Galma Araaraa on our ancestral land of Dirree Badhaas is our greatest sign (mul’ata keenya guddaa),” declared one senior Qallu. “It signifies the return of our people to the dignity and fullness of our original identity (eenyummaa duriitti deebisu). This is a journey of spiritual homecoming.”
The event has been hailed by cultural observers as a significant step in the preservation and revitalization of indigenous Oromo spiritual heritage, demonstrating its enduring role in fostering social harmony, environmental stewardship, and cultural pride.
The Sacred Fire Burns Anew: Karrayyu Ushers in a New Gadaa Generation
By Maatii Sabaa
Oromia, Ethiopia – A profound spiritual and cultural renewal is unfolding in the heart of Oromia. The Karrayyu Oromo, renowned custodians of a deeply traditional way of life, have ignited the sacred Jila fire, signaling the commencement of a momentous transition. The declaration echoes across the community: “Karrayyuun Jilaaf bobba’a jira..!!” – “The Karrayyu have lit the Jila!” This flame is not just physical; it is a beacon of identity, continuity, and the living pulse of the Gadaa system.
The Karrayyu have officially entered a sacred preparatory phase, initiating the complex, multi-year rituals to install a new Gadaa assembly, known as the Michillee. In a ceremony of great solemnity, the Abba Gadas—the ritual leaders—have formally designated the Tarree Leedii as the upcoming Gadaa class to assume leadership. This act, performed alongside five existing Gadaa sets, is a masterstroke of long-term democratic planning, scheduling leadership transitions for generations yet unborn.
“The Gadaa is our constitution, our school, and our soul,” explained one elder, his eyes reflecting the ceremonial fire. “By naming the Tarree Leedii today, we are not just planning for eight years; we are securing the wisdom and order of our society for 80 years ahead.”
A Ten-Day Tapestry of Tradition
The official inauguration of this transfer process began ten days ago, launching a meticulously orchestrated series of preparations. The community has been immersed in rituals, spiritual cleansings, and assemblies designed to purify the participants and sanctify the proceedings. These days are a vibrant tapestry of oratory, prayer, and the passing of sacred knowledge from one generation to the next.
The culmination is set for the 26th and 27th of Muddee (approximately early December). On these sacred days, the Karrayyu will perform the grand ceremony of Buttaa Qalaa, the 75th ritual stage within the Gadaa cycle specifically dedicated to the Tarree Leedii. This is the pivotal moment where symbolic authority and immense responsibility begin their formal passage.
An Open Invitation to a Sacred Trust
In a powerful move that underscores the inclusivity at the heart of Oromo identity, the Abba Gadaa of the Karrayyu has extended an open invitation. “The Cidha Buttaa Qalaa of the Karrayyu Gadaa will be open to all who come,” they announced. With profound respect, they have called upon the entire Oromo nation, from every region and walk of life, to witness and partake in this national heritage.
This invitation is more than a courtesy; it is a call to collective remembrance and unity. It is an opportunity for Oromos worldwide to connect with the ancient democratic and spiritual roots that bind them, to see the living Gadaa—a system UNESCO recognizes as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity—in its most authentic and dynamic form.
As the Jila fire burns brightly in Karrayyu territory, its light reaches far beyond the ceremonial ground. It illuminates the resilience of a people fiercely protecting their worldview. It signals the unwavering commitment to govern through a system built on cyclic accountability, environmental stewardship, and social justice. The lighting of the fire is just the beginning. The world is now watching, invited to witness a civilization ensuring its own future by honoring the sacred cycles of its past.
Oromedia 