Afaan Oromoo Waa 39-ee Barumsaa - Walaloo

"Afaan keetiin hin baranne, sammuun kee morma hin cee’u." (If you do not learn in your own tongue, your intellect will not cooperate.)

Qubee Afaan Oromoo dubbisi; aadaan hin du’u. (Read the Oromo alphabet; the culture will not die.) Walaloo Afaan Oromoo Waa 39-ee Barumsaa

Galma dukkanaa keessa, barumsaan bariisa. (In the house of darkness, education is the dawn.) "Afaan keetiin hin baranne, sammuun kee morma hin cee’u

Verses 6 through 39 would continue this rhythm, covering science ( Saayinsii ), history ( Seenaa ), geography ( Lama Dachee ), and civic duty ( Toleettii ). The Role of Afaan Oromo as the Medium of Instruction A critical debate within Walaloo Waa’ee Barumsaa is the language of education itself. Many modern poems are protests against the historical marginalization of Afaan Oromo in schools. A powerful line from a famous living poet, commonly shared in the Oromo diaspora, states: The Role of Afaan Oromo as the Medium

Barnoota malee namni beellada keessatti bineessa. (Without education, during a crisis, a person becomes a wild animal.)

Kitaabni qalamaa, hadaawwan samii gad buusan. (The written book is rain falling from heaven.)

To the Oromo youth: When you hear the rhythm of Walaloo , know that your ancestors are speaking. They are telling you to read, to question, to write, and to return to your community bringing the fire of knowledge. "Barnootni qabeenya malee hin bade; namicha qabeessa taasisaa." (Education is wealth that never spoils; it makes a person rich.) Let the 39 verses of wisdom echo from the highlands of Ethiopia to the cities of the diaspora. Hubannoo caalaa qabeenya hin jiru. (There is no wealth greater than knowledge.) Explore the depth of Walaloo Afaan Oromoo Waa’ee Barumsaa – a 39-verse poetic tradition that uses metaphor and rhythm to advocate for literacy, cultural pride, and the power of learning in the Oromo language.

"Afaan keetiin hin baranne, sammuun kee morma hin cee’u." (If you do not learn in your own tongue, your intellect will not cooperate.)

Qubee Afaan Oromoo dubbisi; aadaan hin du’u. (Read the Oromo alphabet; the culture will not die.)

Galma dukkanaa keessa, barumsaan bariisa. (In the house of darkness, education is the dawn.)

Verses 6 through 39 would continue this rhythm, covering science ( Saayinsii ), history ( Seenaa ), geography ( Lama Dachee ), and civic duty ( Toleettii ). The Role of Afaan Oromo as the Medium of Instruction A critical debate within Walaloo Waa’ee Barumsaa is the language of education itself. Many modern poems are protests against the historical marginalization of Afaan Oromo in schools. A powerful line from a famous living poet, commonly shared in the Oromo diaspora, states:

Barnoota malee namni beellada keessatti bineessa. (Without education, during a crisis, a person becomes a wild animal.)

Kitaabni qalamaa, hadaawwan samii gad buusan. (The written book is rain falling from heaven.)

To the Oromo youth: When you hear the rhythm of Walaloo , know that your ancestors are speaking. They are telling you to read, to question, to write, and to return to your community bringing the fire of knowledge. "Barnootni qabeenya malee hin bade; namicha qabeessa taasisaa." (Education is wealth that never spoils; it makes a person rich.) Let the 39 verses of wisdom echo from the highlands of Ethiopia to the cities of the diaspora. Hubannoo caalaa qabeenya hin jiru. (There is no wealth greater than knowledge.) Explore the depth of Walaloo Afaan Oromoo Waa’ee Barumsaa – a 39-verse poetic tradition that uses metaphor and rhythm to advocate for literacy, cultural pride, and the power of learning in the Oromo language.