The Oromo Horses The Oromo people are exceedingly reach in cattle, and are said to be very kind-hearted and hospitable people. They possess large numbers of horses, and are declared to be good riders and a nation of Horsemen. Oromos are the most horse-loving people in the World. They are exceedingly particular about their horses, and often feed them with boiled fowl and barley bread and give them the blood of oxen to drink. They do not groom their horses, but allow them to roll on the grass, so as to keep them in condition for hard work and rough times; speed and endurances being of more consequences than a smooth, glossy skin. In all parts of the Oromo country, the Biyya Oromoo, there are two classes of horses, the spirited steed, and the pack-horse of hack-- these latter are used as beasts of burden, though sometimes ridden by the Oromos, who seldom use the mule, but prefer the hack. The Oromo horses are active, turning readily at speed, wonderfully surefooted, fearless, excellent on uneven ground, handsome, and spirited. The Oromo horses are generally follow their master if he dismounts, or remain quite till he returns to them. The horses ridden by the Oromos are very spirited, many indeed too fiery. The Oromo horse, which is never shod, slides down the steep hills, on his hind-legs and hams, like a cat; and galloping over the hills. They are peculiarly adapted to the hilly country; generally as a horse of general sprit, in speed swift as a vulture; turn in his own length with a thread; raising his legs in his gallop, he doesn’t seem to touch ground. Grass, save by the highest chief, cannot be procured, owing to the high state of cultivation of the country, beyond a little pasturage here and there; for the rest, he is fed entirely upon barley-straw, the staple corn of the country, and barley grain as much as he pleases to eat, and this all the year round; while the corn is growing, if the owner be rich, he perhaps gives him from time a bundle of the green stalks, kept in constant and active exercise, his appearance and sprit would be improved. The horse in battle is as well aware of the nature of the contest as the rider, and not only turns, at the right time, without the use of the bridle, and obeys each signal, for speed or otherwise, with wonderful sagacity, but some even avoid lances thrown in their direction, by moving from side to side adroitly habit is everything, in the horse, as in man. Oromos mount their horses from the right side. Oromos love horses and their horses love them back! The Oromos make a wooden platforms (daree in Afaan Oromoo) for their horses to stand on during the rains, on account of the mad and filth that accumulates from the purging quality of the green grass, to the injury of their feet. The Oromo horses, indeed, are not exposed to unwell treatment, as masters return nightly home, after having done his, duty in the days. The Oromo once strips it off, and allows his horse to refresh himself with a roll on the grass, previous perhaps to renewing a fight, or even in the middle of it, allows his horses to drink. Horses, as well as human beings, in the Oromo country receive names with a meaning to them, and great men or warriors are generally better known by those of their horses than their won. In the Oromo country, the men frequently address each other as ‘father of such a horse.’ The names are taken sometimes from the color of the horse; in others they significations is warlike. Abbaa Booraa, Abbaa Jifaar, Abbaa Magaal, Abbaa Limmuu, Abbaa Bulloo are examples of names of Oromos addressing each other as ‘father of such a horse.’ In the Abyssinians country, chiefs only are in general well mounted; the pure Oromo may have splendid horse; though latterly the customs of the Oromos and their government have become so much assimilated to that of their neighbors, that it is becoming dangerous for a friendless person to possess a fine horse, for fear of exciting the chief’s cupidity. The legend Oromo artist, Ali Birraa has sung about this atrocity. We will post the song soon. The Oromos are in the habit of giving their horses boiled fowl, and the blood of oxen to drink, and also bread of barley. Oromos never sell good horse. There is a game called guugsii/garmaamaa which is very popular in among the Oromos. The players divide into two parties on horseback and chase each other throwing long staves like spears. Usually, the Oromos, sing of war and the chase, how many elephants and lions have been killed, what doughty deeds their local heroes had performed, and sometimes they allude to such current events as the arrival of a stranger or the consumption of mutton. The Oromos come of a very ancient stock, the most natural of natives of Africa, and are reputed to be among the bravest of mankind, and esteemed for the possession of a good heart, and possession of a good body which, like in an ice plant, is always cool even in the most burning climate. They have distinct ideas of honor and hospitability. Once they come to believe that fidelity (the quality of being faithful and loyal) is a duty in a given case, they are faithful unto death. Like most people who have been under subjection for generations, they are decidedly cunning, but let them be persuaded that they are being treated well, and there are no bounds to the confidence which may be reposed in them. The Oromos do not permit any of the neighboring countries to inter their country than the recognition of their Gadaa government, and they do not travel far beyond their own boundaries, the tendency is defending their territory. The Oromos are in a state of constant war with Abyssinia to defend their sovereignty. The Oromo from his boyhood upwards, is never separate from his arms, and in youth and manhood he may be said to live in the saddle. Among the Oromo tribes, the Wollo Oromos are the best horsemen and the most inveterate fighters in the world. Oromos are the best cavalry soldiers. They very rarely make a campaign, and generally after a days fighting, they return to their own homes. All tribes of Oromos were originally of the form of government, the Gadaa administration and republic of biyya Oromo, the Oromo country and many retain it to this day; the remainder have become colonial subject to despotic Abyssinian chiefs. No other natives part of Africa are so expert with the spear, and it is obvious that once/if they could obtain guns, even to a small extent, they would/could make excellent soldier to make themselves the masters of the empire, Ethiopia of today. At present, they are practically in the position of slavery. Until today the Abyssinians have taken great pains to prevent them from fighting for their national cause, self-determination, knowing very well that of once this brave nation comes to realize their own strength; they would not acquiesce in further servitude.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 00:04:00 +0000
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