A Preliminary Overview of Trends of Oromo Studies in and Outside Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the home of about eighty different ethnicities. The Oromo are the largest single ethnic group in Ethiopia, constituting roughly one third of the population. They have managed excellently well to create a common feeling of belongingness during the last three or four decades. With regard to their population number, figures vary with authors and some Oromo claim to be as many as 50 per cent of the population of the country. The majority of their population lives in rural areas (Pausewang, 2009:1-2). The Oromo are also one of the very largest ethnic groups in East Africa (Asmarom, 2000: xiv).