Oromoo Folklore and Afaan Oromoo Department Profile

The Department of Folklore and Afaan Oromoo was established in 2019 G.C in Oromia State University and offers teaching and learning activities in Regular, Evening and Weekend programs at various centers of the university. 

Starting from 2020 G.C the department started offering the course Introduction to Gadaa System as common course for all undergraduate students in all departments at Oromia State University. This is intended to enable students to understand the traditions and values ​​of the Gadaa System and to serve the citizens in a proper and fair manner.

In addition, it has conducting various researches on Oromo language, culture, art and history. Together with teaching and conducting research, the Department of Folklore and Afaan Oromoo is focusing on activities that ensure the development of Oromo Language, Culture, Arts and History. To achieve this, it has established the Oromo Language, Culture, Arts and History Assembly (Gumii Dagaagina Afaan, Aadaa, Aartiifi Seenaa Oromoo/ GDAAASO/), which has been organizing entertaining and educational programs for the University community and others at different times.

Currently, the department is in the process of gathering various Oromoo Material Cultures after completing all the preparations for the establishment of the Museum (Godambaa).

The purpose of establishing Museum (Godambaa) is to collect Oromo Material Cultures forgotten for various reasons from the community and pass them on to future generations, and to fulfill the university's mission to promote Oromo language, culture, art and history. In establishing   Museum (Godambaa), the materials and values of the Oromo people of different regions will be collected and preserved in accordance with the indigenous Oromoo wisdom and tradition.

Objectives of the Department

General Objective

The general objective of Oromoo Folklore and Afaan Oromoo Department is to produce experts in Oromo Folklore and Afaan Oromoo so that Oromo culture and language can be understood, appreciated and enlivened; to train professionals who can enrich Oromo Folklore and Afaan Oromoo studies by making data accessible to those who want to learn more about the Oromo and to bridge the gap between the original Oromo wisdom and modern scholarship to benefit present generation by cultivating their understanding of the real world.

Specific Objectives

1. To train professionals in Oromo Folklore  and Language  who can independently collect, document, transcribe, categorize, analyze, digitize and preserve  cultural and linguistic elements;
2. To produce potential and competent candidates that can rigorously study and bring Oromo indigenous knowledge to the world of scholarship;
3. To help the present and future generations learn from the knowledge of their forefathers;
4. To promote the understanding of the youth about cultural and linguistic values of their own people and enable them to appreciate and develop the feeling of love and belongingness towards them;
5. To promote the learners’ cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains;
6. To sharpen the wits of the trainees by empowering them with critical thinking abilities;
7. To equip the trainees with moral and ethical values of various specific research methodology, which are necessary for carrying out investigations in folklore and language appropriately;
8. To engender personnel who could participate in and contribute to social services and community- based activities such as health, education, economy and other related fields;