Picture Collage: Photos by Dragabaa Production (See More Pictures Below)

It was Sunday morning on the 18th of December 2011, and the excitement was back! The hype had gone global, and political interest had deepened as the Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria (AOCAV) proudly hosted the 4th annual Oromia at Federation Square festival in Melbourne, Australia.

In typical fashion, the annual festival had yet again merged the Australian Oromo community as one collective voice. By commemorating the Oromo pride, the whole community presented a concert of color and joy over four jam-packed hours to participants, passing tourists, interested onlookers and the wider Oromo community members who attended the joyous occasion.

Many Oromo individuals have asked me, often quizzically, about the purpose of creating a celebratory festival purely to show Oromo culture. “How will this help us as the Oromo people?” – I am often asked, and my response is simple. This festival represents a tool, a creative means to educate fellow citizens, to politically lobby for the plight of the Oromo people among Australian lawmakers as well as to lay the foundation to highlight Oromummaa positively and meaningfully among the wider Australian community in the city centre of Melbourne.

The Oromo united stance is undoubtedly growing strong. Specifically, the AOCAV efforts to strengthen the wider community has moved forward, and furthermore, has been positively acknowledged by our national, state and local special guests who are plentiful, powerful, and most importantly, approachable to the Oromo people.

On December 18, 2011, together, Federal and State Ministers stood with the management committee in the crowd to watch the performances, immersed with the finest of Oromo culture. Later on, they joined the elders and youth within the Oromo community on the main stage to release doves as a symbol of Oromo’s aspiration for freedom of speech, identity, education and national freedom. The Ministers spoke of their exhilaration facing the Oromo crowd, and the community response was overwhelming. The Oromo voices called out in unison as the Ministers released their doves for peace. To remember the day of smiles, each of the guests was presented with a handmade gift of Oromo coffee to take home, and share with their family and friends. What a wonderful day!

Reflecting back on the festival, perhaps people will tell you the special part of the day was the VIP guests, or maybe it was the interactive coffee show. Others will insist the crowd favorite was the fashion parade, or perhaps the dove-releasing ceremony for peace and commemoration of the suffering Oromo people. While everyone will have their favorite moments to treasure, in the eyes of the management committee, the greatest achievement of the entire festival is the growing ability of the Oromo conscience to take a positive political stance. The success of the festival is only known when Australian Oromo people practice Oromummaa in their everyday lives.

Australian Oromo community members “Lubaba” and “Meliha” with Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard.

One clear example of the positive political stance is reflected in the photograph taken two weeks ago, showing members of the Oromo Afoosha Women’s Group dressed in aadaa, standing proudly with Australia’s Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, at the opening ceremony for the Wyndham Community Centre in Melbourne. There is no doubt that the voices of the Oromo people will soon be heard by influential leaders of the world. To get there, Oromo community leaders around the world must be prepared to negotiate different and creative ways that Oromummaa can be brought to the social and political forefront of their country’s landscape – Australian Oromo people have take the first step.

Toltu Tufa
AOCAV President, Australia

Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria Inc
“Committed to facilitating community development and growth, whilst maintaining the rich cultural heritage of the Oromo people”
Website: http://www.oromocommunity.org.au

Full DVD of the 2011 Federation Square festival will be available Febraury 2011. Orders can be made by contacting the AOCAV: ocaustralia@gmail.com

Related Featured Video/Audio on GadaaTube.com:
- Toltu Tufa & Aliye Geleto of the Australian Oromo Community Discuss about the Upcoming Dec. 18, 2011 “Oromia @ Federation Square” on ABC Radio
- Oromia: Freedom Is Coming – We Shall Overcome
- Melbourne’s OROMIA @ FEDERATION SQUARE 2011 – Australia

Below are some pictures from the event:

Left to Right: Jose Alvarez, State Director for Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC); Honourable Adam Bandt, Federal Member for Melbourne; Senator Kate Lundy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Multicultural Affairs; Elizabeth Miller, state Member for Bentleigh; Mr. Chin Tan, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission; Oromo Elders Abbaa Toltu and Aaddee Jiloo.

Australian Oromo community members “Lubaba” and “Meliha” with Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard.

Oromo Women’s Group

Iftu Kassim, President of Melbourne Oromo Youth Association (MOYA).

Federation Square 2011 – Hosted by Karim Degal and Sinke Wesho

Sold out Tshirt designs!

Community Photography – Collective Collage 1

Community Photography – Collective Collage 2

Community Photography – Collective Collage 3