Gabra Oromo in Ethiopia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The various Oromo people groups are the largest, most widely dispersed groups in Ethiopia. They also reside in Kenya, Somalia and Egypt. Composed of approximately a dozen tribal clusters, these peoples prefer just the term "Oromo" when speaking of themselves. Nearly all of these peoples speak mutually intelligible dialects of a language called "Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji". Although they retain similarities in their descent system, they differ considerably in religion, lifestyle and political organization. The Oromo have various clans, including the Gabra. Most likely they were pushed westward from the Horn of Africa by the Somali during the tenth century. Together with the Amhara and the Tigrai, they dominated the government and military classes of the Ethiopian Empire. In the 1700s and 1800s, these peoples became a prominent force in Abyssinian (Ethiopian) politics.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Gabra Oromo are herdsmen with a warrior tradition. They determine a man's status by the number of livestock he owns. Virility and male attributes are considered desirable, especially bravery and war skills. Although they honor fighting enemies from outside, they demand peace within their own community. Oromo boys may begin training at an early age to become warriors, but one basic value of the Oromo is tokuma, which is identification with the group. The religious, social, political and economic life of the Oromo revolves around this. Cooperation is central to this system, especially in work arrangements. The Gabra Oromo live in rural areas where they make a living primarily from raising animals along with some farming. Their staple diet includes durra (a cereal grain), maize, beans, rice, milk, meat, and wild fruits. Coffee and tea are both popular beverages. The Gabra Oromo family is headed by an authoritarian father who has the right to expect total obedience. Men usually have only one wife, and children are considered a necessity. The more children and grandchildren a man has, the greater his prestige.


What Are Their Beliefs?

During the nineteenth century, they converted to Islam. However, they blend Islam with their traditional religion. These ethnic religionists worship a supreme being named Waqa. Wadaja feasts are organized on various occasions, and they sacrifice livestock in Waqa's honor. Today, these feasts reflect a Muslim influence. Many Kereyu Oromo believe that objects such as trees, springs, and rocks have spirits. They also believe that spirits called jinn may take possession of people. Adults fast during Ramadan (the Muslim holy month), but few celebrate other Muslim festivals.


What Are Their Needs?

The Gabra Oromo people need the opportunity to learn of and follow Jesus Christ. Most likely Oromo subgroups who have a gospel witness can take Christ to them.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to show himself powerful and loving by providing abundance to the Gabra Oromo people. Pray for spiritual hunger among the Gabra Oromo people, especially their leaders. Pray for Oromo disciples to make other disciples who will make even more disciples!


Scripture Prayers for the Oromo, Gabra in Ethiopia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Oromo, Gabra
People Name in Country Oromo, Gabra
Natural Name Gabra Oromo
Alternate Names
Population this Country 58,000
Population all Countries 209,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 19603
ROP3 Code 103104
Country Ethiopia
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 32  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Ethiopia
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 32  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)

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Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji (58,000 speakers)
Language Code gax   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Gabbra
Dialect Code 3034   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji (58,000 speakers)
Language Code gax   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Gabbra
Dialect Code 3034   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji

Primary Language:  Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1870-1966)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1875-1979)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1967-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Photo Source Cosi von Lauppert 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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