Ilaa fi Ilaamee - A Strong Instrument for Consensus Building
Gubirmans Publishing - December 2007

Ibsaa Guutama is a member of the generation that drew the first Political program of the OLF.

By Ibsaa Guutama

Oromo politico-social system, Gadaa, is one of the inventions Oromo are proud of. It was a system that upheld liberty equality and human dignity. One of the means for realization of these was a democratic process of interpersonal communications or dialogue. In all verbal interactions between two, three or a multitude, every participant has the right and the duty to speak and to listen in turns in an atmosphere of deference and equality. That process was what they called ilaa fi ilaamee, a democratic element of Oromoness, the lack of which is drawing out Oromo difficulties. Literally, ilaa means “look” or “lend me your ears” - usually to begin a discussion or dialogue. Ilaamee means “look please” or “give me attention” - usually in the course of discussion. In short, it was an art of communication, speaking and listening in turns under normal circumstances. Philosophically, there is much to it.

A breakdown in ilaa fi ilaamee used to happen when society is in transformation as a result of man-made calamities or natural disaster. At such a time, a common purpose to listen to each other is lost. It is a period of total chaos and anarchy. Under normal circumstances, it is only the deviants that defy the rule of ilaa fi ilaamee. Otherwise, all decisions or agreements were reached after thorough deliberation to which all participants contribute. There was nobody that can impose his opinion or will on others. When elders discuss, children listen and learn, and were not barred from attending. They had also peer gatherings where they practice the rule. Therefore, ilaa fi ilaamee is an Oromo method of dialogue that a child learns to abide by from childhood. Its basis is consultation not dictation ...