Oromo, Arsi in Ethiopia

People Name:	Oromo, Arsi
Country:	Ethiopia
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	7,119,000
World Population:	7,122,300
Primary Language:	Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	10.00 %
Evangelicals:	3.80 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Oromo
Affinity Bloc:	Horn of Africa Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Oromo are the largest, most widely dispersed people group in Ethiopia. They are composed of approximately a dozen tribal clusters. Nearly all the Oromo speak mutually intelligible dialects of the Oromo language. One of their subgroups is the Arsi Oromo who speak Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo. Although they retain similarities in their descent system, they differ considerably in religion, lifestyle, and political organization.

Migrating from the Horn of Africa, the Oromo arrived in Ethiopia four centuries ago. Together with the Amhara and the Tigrai, they dominated the government and military classes of the Ethiopian Empire. In the 1700s and 1800s, the Arusi became a prominent force in Abyssinian (Ethiopian) politics. During the nineteenth century, they converted to Islam. Today, they are more apt to speak Amhara and Tigrinya than Oromo, their native tongue.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Arsi Oromo are herdsmen with a warrior tradition that determines a man's status by the number of livestock he owns. They value virility and bravery as the best male attributes. An Arsi Oromo man must know the skills of war: Riding, spear throwing, and fighting. They honor warring against enemies but demand peace within their own community. They value identification with the group.

Most Arsi Oromo live in rural areas where they make a living mainly from raising animals along with some farming. The typical dwelling is a tukal or a circular hut made of acacia branches covered with grass mats. The cone-shaped roof has an opening that allows smoke to escape. Their staple diet includes durra (a cereal grain), maize, beans, rice, milk, meat and wild fruits. Coffee and tea are both popular beverages.

Arsi Oromo families are headed by an authoritarian father who has the right to 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.

Arsi boys are taught to use a spear and begin training at an early age to become warriors. Traditionally, men ready to marry were expected to present to their brides part of a man who they had killed. The killing of a man was customarily a part of becoming a full-fledged adult as well as part of certain festivals. Although this tradition survives, wild animals are now used instead of humans.

Some Arsi Oromo have moved to the towns, attracted by employment opportunities and modern schooling. Others have entered national security forces, the industrial labor force, or the fields of trade, transportation and education.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of the Arsi are Muslim; however, their traditional religion is still practiced by much of the population. 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, though it is far from orthodox Islam.

Many Arsi 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 for Ramadan, but do not participate in other Muslim festivals and celebrations.

The Arsi are mostly Muslim, but they have far more Christ followers than other Oromo people. Some of these Christians can disciple others.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord of the harvest to call Arsi Oromos to disciple those who need Christ’s mercy.
Pray they will embrace the one sacrifice given on their behalf.
Ask God to raise prayer teams for the Oromo peoples that will pray until something happens!