It is a universally accepted fact that the Oromo people are keen to creature, creatures in a sense both plants and animals and best well known for stewardship of environmental protection. The communal affection and compassion goes beyond that the human mind and the concurrent world can fathom.
A prominent aspect of Oromo culture is the unique set of preparations made when a woman is about to give birth. After childbirth, various cultural rituals are performed until she leaves the maternity ward. These rituals are not only beautiful but also reflect the rich cultural lifestyle of the Oromo nation. Unfortunately, many of these valuable traditions are at risk of being forgotten, often overshadowed by foreign influences as the result of failure to promote the culture though it is interesting to the planet of the earth and ought to be scaled up throughout the globe.
Ethiopian Press Agency journalist Samrawit Girma has expressed deep concern about the erosion of Oromo cultural values. Her experiences growing up in East Welega, Nekemte, and raising three children have fueled her desire to preserve these traditions. Her book, titled “Ulma, aims to encourage the community to reconnect with its cultural heritage.
The title of the book is called “Ulma”. It has 80 pages and is written in Afan Oromo language. It was recently inaugurated at Oromo Cultural Center. Journalist Samrawit, who says that “Ulma” also talks about the motivation for writing the book and the need to enable the community to return to existing cultures and rejuvenation that put the clock back to the age of mightiness.
Explaining the important cultural values, in the Oromo, when a woman is about to give birth; especially when she is eight months to delivery; and then when she is nine months almost to produce life to the post natal, traditional food and drinks are prepared for her and the neighborhoods around.
Porridge is prepared with various grains that contain various nutrients with the belief that it is beneficial for the pregnant woman and the child who is to come to the world. The preparation covers the process before and after childbirth. Especially if the pregnant woman is economically better off, for the ceremony that takes place before and after childbirth, “Buna kela” is prepared, unfermented coffee soaked in butter. Even in financially constrained households, traditional ceremonies are upheld. The culture fosters solidarity, with neighbors and family members arranging the necessary rituals. Samrawit recalls that these arrangements extend to women who have not yet given birth, emphasizing the community’s commitment to supporting one another.
The rituals surrounding childbirth are deeply significant in Oromo culture, serving as blessings for the newborn. Attendees of tasting ceremonies offer prayers for a smooth delivery, creating a supportive environment for the expectant mother. Unfortunately, the rise of the “baby shower” has overshadowed these rich traditions, threatening their continuity. Samrawit highlights the need to return to these cultural practices. Her book “Ulma” serves as a reminder of the values embedded in these customs and advocates for their revival in a society increasingly influenced by external cultural norms. The book “Ulma” written by the journalist focuses on restituting the cultural invasion that is observed in urban centers with the so called “baby shower”; and also focuses on activities that restore and remember own cultures, as existing national cultures are being forgotten; therefore, “Desu Ebisu” or the birth of a child is widely discussed in the book.
In connection with this tasting, there is also a ceremony in which all the attendees of the tasting perform a blessing for the pregnant woman. In this ceremony, for a pregnant woman who is about to give birth or has entered her period, they hold the porridge plate in their hands without removing it from their face and bless it by saying, “May your labor be light; May the Virgin Mary help you to hug the new born in your hands; May the one you bear be blessed.” The blessing is so that the woman who is about to give birth does not fear or panic when thinking about her child.
Journalist Samrawit has repeatedly stated that she is concerned that the culture that inspired her to write about Ulma, which gives hope and strength to a pregnant woman, is now being completely transformed into the over sea community’s culture. Now, the preparation which is frequently observed around urban centers and the expenses associated with it are high and are destroying the culture. So let’s go back to our culture. It is our culture that is preferred by any nationality and keeps us in peace and love.
Journalist Samrawit, who has been observing this same distorted culture, has spent years collecting all the right values and existing customs from their sources while traveling to different zones for work.
Her writing of the book “Ulma” in Oromia and “Arasnet” in Amharic is an example of this. Another motivation for writing this book is not only to think about restoring the distorted culture. It is also to inform about other traditional rituals that have many important values and are related to childbirth. One of these is called “Shenen” that takes place after childbirth. In this ritual, a woman is asked to eat porridge and other notorious food items. Women gather and make porridge and verities of food. The fifth day after birth is marked with celebration. On this day, a woman who has given birth is going to bath enjoying with fragrant leaves gathered from the forest, boils them, and bathes with the help of elderly women. The leaves are brought by older women. It is believed that this will strengthen her waist, make her forget her fatigue, and prevent the wind from reaching her.
Samrawit says that the tradition of mothers preparing themselves for this is now being forgotten. The newborn baby should be exposed to the sun on the ninth day. She herself takes it out to the sun in her own way. Coffee is prepared and eaten with the family. The baby is named at this time.
There is also a ceremony called “Ulma Behu” where the new-born woman comes out after completing her maternity leave. This ceremony is usually held when she is 40 days old. After this ceremony, she can cross the river; go to the market and wherever she wants. If she is a worker, she can go to work. If she has gone to her mother to be treated well, she can return after that. When she goes to her mother’s house or when she returns to her husband’s house, there is a respectful ceremony and ceremony. This is a ceremony where “Buna Kela” is prepared; bread is baked, coffee is made, and she is discharged from the maternity home.
Samrawit Girma’s work is a vital reminder of the importance of cultural preservation. By reviving these traditions, the Oromo people can strengthen their identity and foster community bonds. Her efforts in documenting these practices will serve as a foundation for a more unified and culturally rich society.
Through her writing, she aims to restore the values of solidarity and community that are essential for building the Ethiopia we desire. By sharing these traditional practices, women can come together, support one another, and reinforce their cultural heritage. Samrawit believes that preserving and promoting these traditions is crucial for nurturing a peaceful and loving community.
BY LAKACHEW ATINAFU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 5 MARCH 2025
