Started in 2008, the Oromia@fedsquare is
a community festival organized by the Australian Oromo Community
Association in Victoria meant to “celebrate and commemorate the beauty
of the Oromo culture.” For
the thriving Oromo-Ausralian community, the event is an opportunity to
share their history and rich cultural heritage with the city’s
multicultural communities. For members of the Oromo community, it’s also
a way of reconnecting with and honoring their customs and traditions.
“Starting
Sunday afternoon, people visiting or passing by the Federation Square
in Melbourne feel as though they've landed in another country in a
different continent – Oromia, in the Horn of Africa,” the organizers said in a press release last week. The fedsquare,
one of the busiest venues in Melbourne, hosts more than 2,000
jam-packed events and celebrations every year. The attendance of members
of parliament Adam Bandt of Melbourne and representatives from Anthony
Byrne office, who represents Holt, and Victorian Multicultural
Commission Commissioner Chin Tan is an important recognition of Oromos
contribution to the country’s multiculturalism. As with other new
immigrant communities, Oromos have added color and so much significance
to the Australian society in general. Most of its leaders have been
recognized and awarded both locally and internationally for their active
participation and outstanding contributions.
The
event brings together families and friends from across Melbourne.
Oromos from interstate and neigbouring countries such as New Zealand
ocassionally join in the celebration. This year was not different.
Visitors came from Brisbane, Sidney and even as far as Europe. Parents
brought childred adorned in colorful cultural attires. This is the
community’s way of educating other Australians about their identity
while also passing on history and cultural heritage to the younger
generation. The event features Oromo dance, spoken word, art exhibition,
fashion show, a live-concert and elders blessings.
Amid chaotic diasporic life and recent political setbacks among the diaspora, Oromia@fedsquare is
one event that has not lost its colors and form over the last seven
years. In fact, it has become a model for Oromo diaspora events. It
brings together Oromos from all walks of life and political persuasions.
It’s one place where the community joins hands and sing songs of unity,
harmony and longing.
To be sure, unlike most Oromo diaspora events, the Oromia@fedsquare was
not simply about lamenting the multifaceted injustices that the Oromo
continue to endure in Ethiopia. It’s a magnificent occasion where Oromos
embrace and demonstrate their pride. It is a day where Oromia’s
multidimensional diversity is celebrated in all its forms: from
clothing, artifacts, food to history with pride and joy. It is a
momentous expression of Oromumma, the Oromo identity.
It
is also where the youth reaffirms their commitment to preserving Oromo
heritage by taking the lead in organizing and showcasing various
cultural programs. Most of the activities at this festival were
conducted by the community’s active and vigilant youth members. The elders, also draped in Oromo cultural attire, held green grass and a prominent stick ( coqorsa and bokkuu. With the Oromo flag flying high around the square, women ululate holding their Siinqee, the symbol of power and womanhood
among the Oromo, and sing in praise of their fallen heroes while the
youth and children cheer on. All the while, the fresh aroma of Oromia’s
coffee would fill the air. For brief moments, the fed square resembled
Oromia, the Oromo homeland — full of joy and freedom.
But this year Oromia@fedsquare has
even gotten bigger and better. Children adorned with saddeetta sang
shagoyee, whilst those as young as five educated the spectators about
the five Oromo odaas. The children also took the centrestage when the
band played adding more color and beauty to the event.
This
year also ushered in new faces as far as from Germany, young musician
and rapper Leencho Abdushakur was invited to entertain the crowd with a
mix of poetry, spoken word and singing. We also had other prominent
personalities, including Oromo comedian Sadam Haska aka Sadamiyyo from
Oromovines. This year, federation square was not only about singing and
dancing, it was about recognition and awards.
Early
Sunday morning, excitement filled the sorrunding area as hosts, Soreti
Kadir and Toltu Tufa walked onto the stage beautified by their Qoloo
(red and black striped Arsii dress). Commuters from the trams,
chariots, trains and vehicles stopped to a glimpse of what was happening
before their lights turned green.
The
event was formally opened with the singing of the unofficial Oromo
“anthem”: Alaaba Oromo. This was followed by a fashion show and dance
performces which led many to shed tears of happiness and pride.
Melbourne-based
rappers featuring Milkeysa Ahmed and Dammeysa Ahmed aka Dee Banga moved
the crowd with their creative and peotic rap and hip hop in Afaan Oromo
and English. Through their poetry and rap, the youngsters lamented
about Oromo heritage and political struggle. Their song was also about
belonging and longing, roughly put as a yearning of someone trying to
fit-in or finding one’s place both in Oromia and Australia.
Abdi
Johar, a young star from one of the most reknowned cities of Oromia,
Dire, sang 'Assabelahoo- one of the most famed songs of the legendary
Ali Birra. The ground beneath felt as if it’s literally moving. His
voice and the meaningfulness of the song moved the heart and minds of
Oromos, young and old. In the euphoria of the moment, the song brought
memories of homesickness and a collective sense of statelessness. Of
course the band entertainment would be incomplete without the
performance of the one and only Kumala Adunya, kicking off his best work
with ‘asheeta’ and taking us through the melodies and sounds of Oromia.
At
the conclusion of formal events, the crowd began to rock and roll Oromo
style. As a symbol freedom and peace, white doves were released into
the clear sky by the elders and VIP guestsas crowd the screamed ‘’free Oromia’’ at their highest pitch.
Even
after the formal conclusion of the event, the eunthisiastic crowd hang
about fidgeting, posing for photos and anticipating about 2015, still in
celbratory mood. It is no exaggeration to say Oromia @fedsquare was a
celebration of Oromummaa in all of its diversity.
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*The writer, Sinke Wesho, is a Melbourne-based OPride.com contributor.
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