The country of the Oromo is called Biyya-Oromo/Orom-biyyaa (Oromo country) or Oromia (also phonetically spelled as Oromiyaa). Biyyo in Oromo literally means soil. Consequently biyya Oromo means Oromo soil. Oromia is a name adopted by the Oromo Liberation Front to the land inhabited by the Oromo people. A German missionary named Krapf in 1860 also used the term Ormania to designate the nation or the country of the Oromo people. The present nominal state of Oromia includes the regions of Shewa, Wellega, Ilu-Abbaabora, Jimmaa, Arsi, Borana, Wallo, Bale, Harargee, Gujii and Wambera. The metropolitan centers such as the capital, Finfinne (proselytized Addis Ababa), Dire Dawa, Adama also proselytized Nazareth), Ambo, Jimma, Nekemte and Robee are found in Oromia. An estimated area of Oromia before colonization towards the end of 19th century was nearly 600,000 square kilometers, larger than France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands combined. The present Ethiopian government reduced the size of Oromia to an estimated area of 360,000 by incorporating many parts of it into Tigrai and other neighboring regional states.
Oromia is approximately located between 2 degree and 12 degree N and between 34 degree and 44 degree E in modern empire state of Ethiopia. It is bordered in the East by Somali and Afar lands, in the west by Gambela, Benishangul and the Sudan, in the South by Somalia, Kenya and several nations and nationalities in and in the North by Agawu, Amhara and Tigre land. That means it almost dissects the empire of Ethiopia south-north and east-west. Out of the 53 or so African countries it is exceeded in size only by 17 countries.
Landscape and the Climate
The physical geography and climate of Oromia is quite diverse. Its landscape includes high and rugged mountain ranges, undulating plateaus, panoramic gorges and deep incised river valleys, and rolling plains. Rising from less than 500 meters above sea level to high ranges that culminate into Mt. Baatu (4607 m) – the highest peak of the region. Among the many mountain ranges are the Baatu in Baale (4607 m), Karra in Arsi (4340 m), Enkelo in Arsi (4300 m), Gara Mul’ataa in Hararghe (3392m) and Baddaa Roggee in Shawa (3350 m), Tullu Walal in Wellega. High relief of over 1500m is dominant in Oromia.
Oromia is endowed with varied relief features which in turn accentuate varied and amicable climatic condition and other rich natural resource bases. The climate prevailing in Oromia may be grouped into 3 major categories: the dry climate, tropical rainy climate and temperate rainy climate. The dry climate is a little portion characterized by poor sparse vegetation with annual mean temperature of 27 degree C to 39 degree C, and mean annual rainfall of less than 450 mm. The semi-arid climate mean annual temperature varies between 18 degree C and 27 degree C. It has a mean annual rainfall of 410-820 mm with noticeable variability from year to year. Highlands of Oromia experience temperate climate of moderate temperature, (mean temperature of the coolest month is less than 18 degree C) and ample precipitation (1200-2000 mm).
Similarly, there are many rivers and lakes in Oromia. Many of the rivers flow westwards into either the Blue Nile or the White Nile, and others flow eastwards to Somalia and Afar land. Among the large rivers are the Abbayya (the Nile), Baro, Sor, Gaba, Birbir, Hawas (Awash), Gannaalee, Waabee, Dhidheessa, Gibe, Guder, Dabbus and Finca’a. Overall, Oromia contributes about 70% of the water of the Nile Rivers. It is worth noting however that the negative impacts of the anti-environment policy of the current regime is felt everywhere.
For the peoples of Egypt, the Sudan and Somalia, life would be impossible without these rivers. They carry millions of tons of rich soil to Egypt, the Sudan and Somalia every year. Somalia depends heavily on Waabee (Shaballe) and the Gannaalee (Juba) rivers which come from Oromia. At present the Ethiopian government depends heavily on Oromia rivers of Gibe, Hawas (Awash) and Finca’a water as a source of electric power for its industries and irrigation to grow sugar cane, cotton and fruits. There is even great potential in all these rivers for the production of electric power and for irrigation. Awash, Gibe, Finca’a, Sor and Gaba are sources of great hydroelectric power for the Ethiopian state.
Among Oromian lakes are the crater lakes Green lake (true to its name), Bishoftu, Kuriftu, Bishoftu-Gudo, Hora-Kilole, Hora Arsedi, and the rift-valley lakes Ziway, Abiyata, Abayya, Shala, and Langano. Many of these lakes possess a great variety of fish and birds on their islands and shores. They have immense potential for recreation and fishery development.
The climate is as varied as the physical geography, although close to the equator because of the mountain ranges, high altitudes and vegetation, the climate is very mild and favorable for habitation. Snow can be found on the mountains such as Baatu and Karra. In the medium altitudes (1800-2500 m) the climate is very mild throughout the year and one of the best. Up to 80 per cent of the population lives at this altitude and agriculture flourishes. The great majority of the Oromo population settled on the plateau and open grassland because they are horsemen. They often chose open land for their cavalry i.e. horse fighting. They avoided the jungle, mountainous areas and river basins for horse factor and diseases as well as economic factor. The Oromo were predominantly pastoral society.
The low altitude areas (below 1500 m) in west, south and central part are relatively warm and humid with lush tropical vegetation, and although few live there permanently most graze their cattle and tend their beehives there.
The vegetation of Oromia ranges from savanna grassland and tropical forest to alpine vegetation on the mountain tops. The forests contain a variety of excellent and valuable timbers. Oromia is known for its unique native vegetation as well as for being, the centre of diversity for many different species of food crops. The forests of Oromia are a source of excellent timber. Although the major portion of the forest has been destroyed since the occupation, some still remain in the south-east and south-west. However, this is threatened by mismanagement, particularly through the fast expanding land grabbing and rent to international investors by the current government of Ethiopia. At the time of colonization over 70 percent of Oromia was covered with forest. This has been reduced to the present 2 per cent. In addition to timber trees, medicinal plants and trees producing different kinds of gums, grow in abundance. Myrrh, frankincense and gum Arabic are gathered from the wild trees.
