Oromo is the single biggest nation in Ethiopia. Oromos call their country Oromia also written as Oromiya. Oromo country covers 600,000 Square km (375,000 Square miles); Larger than Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands and France combined. Oromo people speak the Oromo language, “Afaan Oromoo”. Being the most suppressed and even once banned indigenous African language, Afaan Oromo is more than a medium of communication for the Oromos, It has been serving to retain a powerful sense of identity and unity among the Oromo people.
Oromo have a rich culture fostered by their big population size and unique socio-political organization. Oromos are among the few nations who developed the most complex egalitarian democracy of their own called Gadaa system. Gadaa is a highly developed and self-sufficient system which has influenced every aspect of Oromo life until the end of 20th century when they fell under Abyssinian colony. Under Gadaa system the power to administer the affairs of the nation and the power to make laws belong to the people. Practicing this unique and home grown democratic system was banned in Ethiopian empire for over 100 years. However, Oromos have kept its ceremonial and cultural aspects against all the odds until now. See more about Gadaa system under culture.