A Biographical Excerpt on Onesmos Nasib
Title: C8RAF18
Tracking ID: C8RAF18
Language: Afan Oromo
Skill: Reading
Proficiency Level: 1+/2
Functional Objective: Demonstrate your comprehension
Topic: Economics/Politics
Items
Explanations
Kunuunsa
nourishing
bulguu
hobgoblin
boqochuu
rest
bilisa
free
hamile
moral
misiraachoo
good news
Content: This is a short biography of Hiikaa Awwaajii (Onesimos Nesib).
Notes:
1. After the mid-18th century, the Oromo nation has been in trial, beginning with internal division and the
weakening of Oromo unity and the Gadaa system from the onset of colonial oppression. The northern
Abyssinian king, with materials (such as modern ammunition) and technical assistance received from those
participating in African conquests, managed to conquer the free nation of Oromia and the surrounding nations.
During the conquest a large portion of the population was destroyed, properties were looted, and family
members were captured and sold into slavery. Fortunately, Onesimus survived the ordeal, became a free man,
and pioneered evangelism among the Oromo people.
http://www.dacb.org/stories/ethiopia/onesimus_nesib.html
2. Historically, the Afaan Oromo speaking people used the indigenous Gadaa system of
governance that is relatively said to be more democratic than other forms of governance in the
region. Many Oromo communities—most notably Gibe Kingdoms, around Jimma—gradually
adopted monarchy and other forms of governance in the later centuries of 2nd Millennium. Such
changes occurred due to the growing influence of Islam from the east and Orthodox Christianity
from the north, as well as power struggles between opposing Oromo communities.
Both the peaceful and violent competition and integration between Oromos and others
neighboring ethnicities of Amhara, Sidama, Somali, and others shaped the politics inside the
Oromo community, historically. The northern expansion of Oromos, particularly the Arsi, to
ethnic Somali and Sidama territories—the the Yejju and other Oromo communities to the
north—mirrored the southern expansion of Amharas to influence the current ethnic politics in
Ethiopia.
During the last two centuries, Oromos who have not integrated with the Amhara have not had
fair political power inside Ethiopia. However, ethnically mixed Ethiopians with an Oromo
background have made up a high percentage of Ethiopian generals and leaders. The Wollo
Oromo (particularly the Raya Oromo and Yejju Oromo) were early Oromo power holders among
the increasingly mixed Ethiopian state. The later north-to-south movement of central power in
Ethiopia led to Oromos in Shewa holding power in Ethiopia together with the Shewan Amhara.
This led to more political and ethnic mixture between Amhara and Oromo in the Shewa region,
to the degree that northern Amharas labeled Shewan Amharas using the derogatory term "Galla."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oromo_people
Prompts
Model responses
Hints
The purpose is to present a short
What is the purpose and who is
the target audience of this article?
biography of Onesimos Nesib, an
extraordinary Oromo personality,
and the great works he achieved
during his lifetime. The target
Consider the genre of the text
and its main character.
audience is the Oromo people
and those interested in Oromo
history, religion, and language.
Consider the education Nesib
Why is Onesimos Nesib so
important and honored in Oromo
history?
He was a pioneer Oromo
received and what his concerns,
evangelist who translated the
aside from his family. Please visit
Bible into Oromo and launched
the Learn More section to read
Christianity among the Oromo.
how Oromos honor Onesimos
Nesib.
His parents were pastoralists. His
In what family was Nesib raised
and what happened to him during
his childhood?
father died, when he was four,
and he was raised by his mother,
but was enslaved, when one day
unknown armed men came to his
home.
What role did unknown, armed
men play in Nesib's life? Please
refer to the Notes for information
about Oromo history of the 18th
century.
His life was miserable, and he
How does the text describe
Nesib's life in slavery?
suffered much inhumane
treatment. Nesib couldn't stop
crying now and then, and for his
What was the reason Nesib was
sold so many times?
behavior was sold seven times.
According to the article, what
Finally Nesib was bought into
Consider the role of Werner
happened to Nasib on the last
freedom by a French Embassy
Munzinger in Nasib's life. Please
instance?
consul, Vener Musinger in
find information regarding
October 1870.Thanks to him, he
Oromo's religion in the Learn
recieved a good education in
More Notes.
Sweden and was baptized.
According to the article, what was
Onesmos Nasib's greatest dream
Nasib’s greatest prayer and
for which he greatly prayed was to
dream about after he became
go back to his motherland,
Onesmos Nasibs?
Oromia to see his family.
Note that while describing Nasib's
life in Sweden the author
repeatedly mentions Oromia.
Category: Background Information
1. Onesimos died on 21 June 1931. This day is commemorated among all Oromo speaking churches around
the globe and, since 1978, Nesib has been included in the American Lutheran Book of Worship as a saint,
which promotes the commemoration his life on 21 June as an African saint and an evangelical pioneer.
Onesimos Nesib is remembered for his monumental work of translating the whole Bible into the Oromo
language. He also laid the foundation of Oromo literature, publishing primary reading materials for common
people and children.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onesimos_Nesib
2. Traditional Oromo religious belief centers around one God, Waaqa, who is responsible for everything that
happens to human beings. As Oromos adopted Islam or Christianity, they maintained the concept of Waaqa
and incorporated their beliefs into the new religions. Another large percentage of Oromos are Christian.
Christians are primarily Catholic or Adventist rather than Orthodox, as the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is
associated with the dominant Amhara cultural group. Within the Oromo nation, Muslims and Christians have
mingled peacefully. Those Oromos whose traditions still mirror the traditions of "Waaqefataa" are less
organized, less visible, and therefore, less understood.
http://www.unpo.org/content/view/7917/135/
http://ethnomed.org/cultures/oromo/oromo_cp.html
Category: Vocabulary
1. _Misiraachoo_ (good news) refers to the Christian Gospels.