Oromo, Tulema / Selale

The Tulema are heirs of the historic Gadaa system, a traditional form of democratic governance and social organization that structured the Oromo people for generations. Starting in the sixteenth century, they settled firmly in the highlands of Shewa.

In the late nineteenth century, the Tulema region was incorporated into the centralized Ethiopian empire. This process brought intense political transformations, the introduction of the Orthodox Christian faith, and periods of strong pressure on the use of their language and cultural expressions, shaping the people's ongoing struggle for recognition and representation.

The Tulema Oromo economy is based mainly on subsistence farming and livestock raising. On the fertile Selale plateau, the cultivation of teff, barley, and wheat sustains households, while dairy cattle raising is a prominent activity, supplying dairy products highly valued in regional markets.

The traditional social structure values family ties and respect for community elders. Meals center around injera with various stews and fresh milk. Although proximity to urban centers brings modernization, communal customs and neighborhood ceremonies continue to set the pace of daily life in the villages.

Most of the Tulema are linked to historic Christianity, largely the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, with a notable and vibrant presence of evangelical churches. Religious rites and the feasts of the Christian calendar mark the seasons of the year and communal events.

Alongside this, elements of the traditional Oromo worldview still exert strong influence, especially the memory of worship of Waaqa, the ancestral supreme being, and fear of spirits known as ayyaana. Rituals to appease hidden forces and ward off illness remain present in the daily life of many households.

The complete Bible is available in the Oromo language, with historic translations and contemporary revisions that make it accessible in both print and audio formats. The use of Scripture in local churches is widespread, but there is still a lack of in-depth study materials and simple devotional literature aimed at rural families with lower levels of formal education.

Although the majority of the population professes the Christian faith, nominal Christianity represents a significant challenge. Many people maintain outward adherence to Ethiopian Orthodox tradition without a personal understanding of the grace of Christ. In addition, witchcraft practices and beliefs in ancestral spirits remain rooted in family routines. Political and ethnic tensions in the country also generate divisions that hinder the church’s witness of unity.

Rural communities face economic challenges linked to rising costs of farming inputs, scarcity of land available for new generations, and poor health services in remote areas. Recent political tensions in the country also affect the stability and security of families.

Spiritually, the great need is for biblical discipleship that goes beyond formal religiosity. It is essential for local churches to help believers let go of fear of spirits and experience the fullness of life in Christ with moral integrity and brotherly unity.

There is notable growth of active evangelical congregations among the Tulema, with dynamic churches holding services in their own mother tongue. Youth have shown great enthusiasm for indigenous worship songs and community radio programs. In addition, local congregations have awakened a desire to send workers to more isolated neighboring regions.