Lij Iyyasu And The Arsi Oromo, 1911-1936

Abstract

 In Ethiopia the history of many nations, nationalities, people and personalities were distorted or ignored for various reasons. One of the greatest personalities who had a far sighted mind and a reformer whose history was distorted was Lij Iyyasu. Lij Iyyasu, who had an Oromo and Islamic blood became emperor Menelik‟s successor in 1909 and assumed leadership role after the death of his regent, ras Tassama Nadew in 1911. This study focused on the Arsi Oromo who had a positive attitude towards Lij Iyyasu rule and personality than other Ethiopian rulers. To analyze this various Oral data sources like baaroo (hymns in praise of Sheikh Hussein), weddu (hymns in praise of cattle and babies) and interviews were collected. The secondary sources collected include student theses, articles and books also partly helped the researcher to fill the gap which was not discussed in primary data. After this was done, the writer organized the data into major themes and later the organized themes analyzed and interpreted using analytical and interpretation tool. The final work shows that the Ethiopian people‟s view on the history of Lij Iyyasu and the reaction to his reign is different from areas to areas and people to people in Ethiopia. The Arsi Oromo case shows that Lij Iyyasu personality and administration was highly admired and loved due to the fact that his period was associated with freedom in Arsi, the time when people got a breezing space and social and religious reforms, opening up of Oromoland and Islamic world.