Urbanization and its Cultural Impacts in the Ethiopian Federation: The Case of Addis Ababa and the Oromo
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Date
2020-11
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A.A.U
Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess how the rapid urbanization of Addis Ababa affects the culture
of Oromo in the Ethiopian federation with particular reference to Addis Ababa and its
surrounding. It specifically examines the contribution of federalism for the recognition and
development of Oromo culture in and around Addis Ababa. The Thesis not only investigates the
role of Oromia National Regional State (ONRS) in retaining Oromo culture but also identifies
the challenges of promoting the Oromo Culture in and around Addis Ababa. In order to achieve
these objectives, the study mainly relied on qualitative research approach to analyze the data
obtained through key informant interview, while those obtained through questionnaire were
analyzed through simple statistics. Different primary data collection instruments, including key
informant interview and questionnaire were used to obtain primary data sources. It has also
utilized different secondary sources including Books, journal Articles and published and non-
published sources. The ONRS has tried to revive the Oromo culture in the city through opening
Afan Oromo schools, revitalizing Gada system and conducting studies if an efforts made by the
ONRS to preserve and to promote Oromo culture in the city are not adequate. The study found
out that, at present, there are several undermining factors of Oromo culture including
politicization of Oromo culture including identity, language, religion and social organization. The Addis Ababa city administration and the federal government are not concerning and giving
credit as much as for the efforts of ONRS. The rapid pace of urbanization of Addis Ababa has
been in contradiction with the Oromo culture (including identity, language, and
religion/Waaqeffannaa in the city as well as with the
interest of the surrounding Oromo
inhabitants who also want to use, manifest and maintain its culture stuffs, under the current
federal system. In contrast to the federal state set up that give equal recognition to diversified
cultures and tradition, the centralized political practice, not cooperation of Addis Ababa city
administration and federal government are among the challenges to recognize Oromo culture in
the Addis Ababa/Finfinnee city. It is, therefore, an argument of this thesis that a multicultural
city of Addis Ababa/Finfinnee can be created when the culture of diversified groups including
Oromo culture are recognized, freely manifested and treated equally in the city without favoring
a certain group culture.
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Keywords
Federalism, Urbanization, Culture, Addis Ababa, Oromo