In the vast semi-desert uplands of southern Ethiopia, and in the northern desert region of Kenya, the Borana have their home. They believe themselves to be the first of the groups that form the great Oromo family. “We were the first to arrive, at dawn”. The experts agree that the Borana — around half a…

The birth of a child is always an important event that brings joy to the Borana. The joy is all the more important when the child is a first-born or a male. The announcement of the birth is made by the father who shouts to all “Olla, ilmi dallae buna tambo nyada” (People of the…

Every eight years, the feast of final Borana passage called Gadamoji, when a man reaches complete social and ritual maturity, is celebrated. Due to the fact that it is celebrated at such long intervals and its importance and influence in various aspects of the life of the tribe, this is one of the more typical…