Oromization

Oromization is a process of making and assimilating Oromo culture, language supremacy above other ethnic groups in Ethiopia. It is type of subjective political discourse than academic concepts based on common narratives about Ethiopian statehood and Abyssinian colonialism since 19th century. Oromization is a reversal of Amharization and Tigraynization.

In 21st-century, Oromo nationalism embedded with the Oromo supremacy during Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed regime since 2018. It is expressed by the concept of Oromummaa that enables cultural identity and oppressed nationalism as well as to build Oromo nation through political and social theory. Oromummaa incurs persistant human rights violation against Amhara, Gurage and Wolaita people.

In August 2020 voice recording captured a private meeting where Shimelis Abdisa, president of regional state of Oromia expressed his belief that the ruling Prosperity Party aims to shape Ethiopia according to Oromo culture, potentially sidelining other ethnic groups in the country.

Background

After the collapse of the Derg regime in May 1991, the FDRE constitution accorded the rights of assimilation of Oromo people on the basis of their language and culture (See Nations, Nationalities and Peoples). This allowed Oromo nationalism to uphold in the regime. Oromization is a political discourse than academic concepts that resonance common narratives about prejudice by Abyssinian elites. In the 21st-century, the process of Oromo superiority has been surged particularly during Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed leadership since 2018. During these periods, several towns in central Ethiopia has been changed to Oromo language, such as Ziway into Kore. Addis Ababa also targeted to Oromization, asserting that Amhara controlled and owned the city for centuries. Oromia flags and anthems imposed to violate the constitution which is condemned by political parties like EZEMA. The Ethiopian Ombudsman also denounced that "there is no legal or moral ground to impose a flag and anthem from Oromia on schools in Addis Ababa".

Falsifying historical facts, annexing lands that belonged to other ethnic groups and initiating projects in the name of Oromo to instigate Oromo supremacy also observed during the process. Oromization led to severe human rights violations including the persecution of Amhara people, revoking Wolayta people constitutional rights to self governing and conducting brutal crackdown and suppression against Gurage uprisings. Ethnic cleansing of Amhara from Oromia which killed tens of thousands and displaced millions were an example for maintaining Oromo supremacy.{{Cite web , last=Account , date=2024-06-16 , title=Why I have the audacity to call the current Ethiopian regime an Oromo government?! , url=https://borkena.com/2024/06/16/ethiopia-oromo-why-i-have-the-audacity-to-call-the-current-ethiopian-regime-an-oromo-government/ , access-date=2024-10-23 , website=Borkena Ethiopian News , language=en-US

See also

* Amharization
* Tigraynization

References

Oromo people
Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)