Oromo people

The Oromo (Oromoo), 25 to 41 million people, are Ethiopia's largest nation and a Cushitic people of Oromia and northern Kenya, speaking Afaan Oromoo of the Afroasiatic family. Once nomadic pastoralists, they expanded across the highlands, settled, built Gibe kingdoms from assimilated natives, and made Oromo the most spoken tongue of the Horn after Amharic and Somali. The gadaa system orders it all: generations assume power in eight-year turns, electing leaders at great assemblies under the odaa sycamore, a democracy older than most republics. Most Oromo are Muslim or Christian today, but the Waaqeffanna sky-faith and the Irreecha thanksgiving at lakes keep the old covenant. From Finfinne's ministries to the Borana cattle camps, Oromo farmers, runners and singers carry a nation that elects itself. Oromia's 2007 census counted 25 million Oromo souls. Kenyan Oromo herd across the northern frontier districts. Gibe kingdoms assimilated whole native peoples into Oromo speech. Eight-year terms still rotate Oromo leadership.