By Ebissa Ragassa*

Since the Gadaa Republic of Oromia was occupied a century or so ago by outdated political system, our struggle to regain what once was a free and progressive society has remained our aspiration. The Oromo movement has produced measurable progress with each passing day, repealing domination, rising conscious among our people and others within the Ethiopian empire. Today, our struggle is at the final gate standing still, demanding, and waiting for our unified action.

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Reviewed by Ebissa Ragassa*

The function of a song is to arouse the emotion and engage the intellect, and Abdi Nuressa’s first music album does both elegantly. His first album “Irree Aadaa” is posed to be released in the summer of 2009; fans are awaiting with great anticipations. The album, over 3 years in the making, expresses all styles of Oromo music – from the-soon-to-be a great wedding song of “Cidda” to the love song that makes you fall in love all over again “Aayyaana Laalattuu”; it essentially soothes the soul and engages the mind. It is a must hear music CD of 2009.

Abdi gives you a glimpse of Oromia with vivid descriptive lyrics of its landscapes, its beautiful seasonal changes and its people; it makes you forget that you are actually sitting in a traffic jam.

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