Guest’s Name: Kassa Balcha
Career: Abbaa Malkaa, Customer care, (Electric Cart Driver) MSP Airport.
Kassa was born and raised in Bishoftu. He grew up watching Irreechaa festival. Kassa was among the Oromo scholars who were forced to leave the country due to the political tumult in the country during the Derg regime. He was a trained athlete aloof from political activities. But he was imprisoned without evidence or a sheer allegation due to the political uproar in the country. He went to US and has been living for about three decades there.
He was appointed as Abbaa Malkaa by the former Abbaa Gada Beyene Senbeto. Since then, he has been serving as Abbaa Malkaa at Minnesota, US.
The Ethiopian Herald had a short stay with Abbaa Malkaa Kassa Balcha. Excerpts…
The Ethiopian Herald: How do you see Oromo and Irreechaa?
Abbaa Malkaa Kassa: The Irreechaa festival and the Oromo people are entwined. Irreechaa is the great thanksgiving holiday of the Oromo people. On the Irreechaa festival which falls on October 5/6, Oromo’s from all corners of the country gather to thank Waaqa (The Almighty/God). Oromos thank Waaqa for the blessings they had been receiving and merciful deeds they had been witnessing during the course of the departed year. The Oromos also praise Waaqa for His protection during the nauseating rainy season.
In addition, it is a festive occasion family members, relatives and friends come together to mark the joyful and great holiday of the Oromo people. That is why many say the Oromo and thanksgiving are always the two sides of the same coin. Thanksgiving is a salient characteristic feature of the Oromo people. The way Oromo people live.
Since my childhood, I have grown up watching Irreechaa. I am very eager to watch and sing joining the celebrants of Irreechaa. Fortunately, my birth place is near to Hora Arsadi, where the Irreechaa has been celebrated for years. Due to that, I had a chance to know more about the festival and the purpose of Irreechaa.
I had no information about other’s knowledge about Irreechaa. I used to think Irreechaa was a festival celebrated all over the nation. The cultural beauty and harmony the event features are very impressive.
Herald: How is it like serving as Abbaa Malka abroad?
Abbaa Malkaa Kassa: Though we reside abroad, we never forget our culture, norms, decorum and ethical values. We respect our culture much because it is who we are. It is our responsibility to teach and inherit our original culture to our children born abroad. Taking this into account, few of us discussed and decided to celebrate Irreechaa gathered around Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis.
Residents of the locality were impressed by our Irreechaa and the way we celebrated it because it is likewise Thanksgiving. It is a day Great Oromo People come together and thank Waaqa (God) for His kindness and blessings.
Since then, Irreechaa has been celebrated at Minnesota for two decades now.
Herald: What is the role of Irreechaa in promoting Oromo’s unity?
Abbaa Malkaa Kassa: Previously, it was solely celebrated by the Tulama Oromos due to the divisive political wedge driven into the Oromo people. Gradually, all the Oromos nationwide came aboard the gathering. Now, whole Oromo people are embracing the original culture of their ancestors. Irreechaa is the holiday of Oromo people regardless of religion, dialect and region. It is the Thanksgiving Day of the great Oromo people.
Nowadays, Oromos from all direction come
together and celebrate the day. It is the day we see each other and share the culture. In addition, it promotes the harmony of the people. All celebrants dress a variety of mesmerizing costumes that represent the Oromo people found across the nation.
I encourage all youngsters to see to the furtherance of the culture and hand it down to the coming generation.
Herald: How do you assess the life of Oromo people past and present?
Abbaa Malkaa Kassa: Previously, most of the Oromo people were not feeling at ease to speak out that they hailed from the Oromo ethnic group because of the overt and covert discouragement the people experienced. But now, things have taken a different course. Oromos are promoting themselves vividly.
Especially, the overlapping of my visit to Ethiopia and Meskel holiday afforded me a chance to see how Oromos are proudly promoting their culture without any fear. I had seen many youngsters singing Goobee (Old Oromo cultural song for Meskel Holiday). In addition, I have observed the contribution of Oromo affluent in promoting their culture by supporting and standing by youngsters.
Due to the then oppression, we had lost this beautiful culture for a long time. Optimistic people should work with their Oromo brothers. They could witness that the Oromos were deprived of the right to practice this glorious cultures of theirs. They should not have the mentality that “The Oromos are making hays while the sunshine’s!”
Currently, things are very impressive; especially the celebration of Irreechaa in Finfinnee after 150 years is a great accomplishment for Qeerroos because it is the result of their sacrificial struggle. Many Oromo scholars and youngsters made sacrifices on the altar of democracy and equality to this country. So, I do not see things as if though they mean nothing. Heavy prices were paid to ensure this magnificent day.
I encourage all Oromo people to be united more to stay stronger than ever.
Herald: What is your take on the change underway in the country?
Abbaa Malkaa Kassa: A breath of fresh air is sweeping across the country. That is why I got a chance to be with my people. The change has actualized as an after-effect of precious life sacrifices. First, I would like to thank those who made such a sacrifice to bring light to the country. Many Qeerroos were killed, tortured, imprisoned, and forced to leave their land. Thanks to them we have got a chance to see a light of freedom in the country.
Second, I want to encourage the frontrunners of the change. I want to assure them that they are not alone as millions are with them. I advise them to go forward on the avenue of peace and democracy. I urge them to act hand in glove with their people.
Generally, nobody can deny the change in the country. This is the reality on the ground.
Herald: How do you evaluate the role of Gada in building a nation?
Abbaa Malkaa Kassa: Gada is peace. Gada promotes co-existence of people. It treats people equally regardless of cultural, ethnic, religious affiliations and etc. Gada is a cultural system via which all are treated equally. Preceding the western democracy, the equality of women was there in the Gada system.
There is no short fall in the Gada System. If we want to build a great nation, we could better adopt what is in Gada system accordingly. There are principles and helpful wisdoms in Gada system. It is a perfect democratic system the Oromo contributed to the world.
In Gada system there is no capital punishment and curse. Oromos believe in teaching the oblivious. In Ethiopian context, many nations and nationalities are living (assimilated) with Oromo equally. Oromos believe in supporting and helping others. Even an Oromo gives his/ her child for those who do not have one. And they adopt others by Guddifachaa.
These are some of great examples that Gada contributed to the country. Gada’s rules and regulations treat Oromo and others equally.
So, what is important in nation-building is equality. As the result, the role of Gada in building a nation is exceptional.
The problems we are witnessing surfacing across in the country are attributable to lack of implementation of the Gada system. Everyone should work on it. Under Gada system, we can build a great and ever-strong country. So, let us promote Gada for the betterment of the country.
Herald: What message do you want to convey to youngsters?
Abbaa Malkaa Kassa: I want to encourage Qeerroos to channel their efforts in a better direction. They have been struggling to accomplish responsibilities they have been given from the fallen comrades and forefathers. So, I want to pat them on the back for what they had contributed in bringing democracy and equality to the nation.
Irreechaa Finfinnee came to the foreground thanks to Qeerroos’ struggles. They have been speaking for their people proudly. Now, everyone is breathing an air of freedom. In addition, I want to thank them for uniting the Oromo people by their blood.
Finally, I want them to be further united. Victory is theirs!
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday edition October 6/ 2019
BY AMBO MEKASA
