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The Yem people
The Yem people are an ethnic group indigenous to south-western Ethiopia, primarily located in the regions of Oromia and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR). They are part of the Omotic language family, with Yemsa being their native tongue. However, many Yem people also speak Amharic, reflecting the diverse linguistic influences in Ethiopia. Historically, the Yem were first mentioned in the 15th century in the victory song of King Yeshaq I of Ethiopia, who acknowledged their tribute of horses. The first European account of the Yem comes from Father Fernandez, a European traveler who documented his visit to their homeland in 1614. This early interaction highlights the Yem’s…
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The Oromo people
The Oromo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in East Africa, predominantly found in Ethiopia’s Oromia region and parts of northern Kenya. Their language, Oromo (or Afaan Oromoo), belongs to the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family, marking them as a significant Cushitic-speaking group. With an estimated population of around 45 million, they constitute a substantial portion of Ethiopia’s population. Historically, the Oromo people were semi-nomadic pastoralists. They migrated and expanded their territories significantly over time, establishing influential kingdoms and dynasties. Their social and political organization was traditionally governed by the gadaa system, a complex, democratic governance system where leaders were elected every eight years. This system…
