Oromo Language
Afaan Oromoo
The Oromo language is the third largest language of Africa in the number of native speakers.
Afaan Oromo is spoken by over 38 million people in Ethiopa. Afaan Oromo is a language of very beautiful poetry, proverbs of wisdom, and justice.
Even though the Oromos are spread over large areas and were prevented from using their language in education, mass media, and public services, the language is still a relatively uniform language with which Oromos from all parts of Ethiopia, and outside Ethiopia, can communicate with relative ease. Colonial Ethiopian governments from Menelik II down to Haile Sellasie, and to some extent the Derg forbade the study, development, and use of the Oromo language in education, public services, and other events including religious teachings, and scholarly studies.
Even though the current government has loosened the ban against local languages, there is a lot of pressure not to use Oromo language in urban centers.