Accarding to Waaqoo Aboo, and as other Oromos also believe, the Oromo, speaking the Cushitic language, is said to have originated from a place called Madda Eela Waalaabo(Spring of Walaabo) in Baale Zone, 35 kms East of Bidre town which is about 95 kms away from Negelle Boorana town ( the Boorana Zonal capital). At Madda Walaabo the Oromos, prior to their dispersion, had been ruled by 25 successive abba gadas. That was about 200 years as one abba gada rules for eight years.The Boorana migration to the present region was led by an abba gada called Abbay Baabo Oroo. The Booran have been ruled by 43 abba gadas since then, which may be 540 years ago (1449), and this is also confirmed by Borbor Bule.
According to the elders and the infomants, prior to the formation of the gada customary law(aadaa) conflicts used to be set right by mutual understandings, blessing and forgiveness. But, as population and crimes increased, many cases became difficult to get final resolution by blessing alone. Many people became reluctant to forgive everything and, therefore, demand for equal compensation for equal loses became imperative. Serious crimes and offences of all sorts expanded. Offenders became disobedient to elders and refused to appear when summoned to face charges.
A man called Gadao Galgaloo Yaayya was appointed to be the first abba gada and ruled the Oromo nation for eight years. But he was not able to give commands as no one was responsible to any one else. There were rewards for good achievements but no concrete seera(law) for referral to correct or punish wrong doers(Borbor Bulee).
A man called Daawwe Gobboo systematically formulated the seera for all the Oromos. Later, after the dispersion of the Oromos in many directions, he was the one who decided to hold one pan-Booran assembly once in every presidential period. This he fixed to be on fourth year of the eight year period. the Oromos in the neighbourhood- Arsi and Guji - have been sending their delegetes to the Gumii Gaayo Assembly(GGA). He laid down seera for everything at the place called Doloollo Makkala, about three kilometres south of Meegga. the seera of marriage, livestock, water wells, pasture, wildlife, trees, bees, and even ants. He set various disciplines when holding meetings. For instance, a meeting attendatn should only speak when allowed. All meetings should start with prayer and blessing(Borbor Bulee).
Before the formal proceedings of the assembly commence the following are blessed - the tree shadow ( Assembly itself), the livestock, women and children, before starting the agenda. Rainfall, pasture, peace and stability should be prayed for before beginning the discussion.
During the discussion no one is allowed to stand and talk, craft wood or scratch the ground. But, everyone should sit in a manner which does draw attention of participants away. Each of the seera violation corresponds with a certain disciplinary action commensurate with that violation.
The Boorana are divided into two moieties, Sabbo and Goona. This was designed by Areero Boruu Bakkalcha. Also he organised clans and sub-clans. Every one is answerable firstly to his own closest sub-clan in an ascending order. Sharing of resources and settling disputes starts by the nearest sub-clans which eventuall proceed to the clan and finally brought to the attention of the Gumii( multitude). This is confirmed by Borbor Bulee.
According to the informants, the population growth caused congestion in small areas and imposed strong pressure on resources. It was then decided that each clan should look for new land out of Medda Eela Walaabo territorial area. The Booran which is the eldest clan, was instructed to invade towards the south.
The Gujii took the portion of the West. Arsii, Karrayyuu and Qottuu pushed towerds the East. The Shewa and Wallaga Oromos headed towerds the West.( Informer days Shawaa, Walaga and others had another name which the informants could not recall). The expediton was made with all possession and families so that there should not be andy retreat. In the process some of the Oromos were engulfed by other ethnic groups and lost their language and culture. Thus, they are not known today.
As all persons cannot be warriors a man called Yaayya Fulleele instrituted raaba. The raaba is a young age set group moving in a big camp. It was deemed essential that people should retire also. This is called gadamoojji. Oolee Bonayyaa was a man who came up with the idea(Waaqoo Aboo). Source " The 37th Gumii Gaayo Assembly" by Golloo Huqqaa.
