Walaloo sings:

Waliigala barnootaaf walaloo gabaabaa: Barnoota: Ifa Jireenyaa Barnoota yaa dammaa, kan sammuu furaa Hiyyummaa balleessitees, dukkana guraa Nama beekumsa qabuuf, hundi ni danda’ama Addunyaan tuniyyuu, beekumsaan masakamti. Utubaa biyyaati, dhaloota kan ijaaru Yaada gadi fageenyaan, jireenya kan jijjiiru Baradhu yaa dhalootaa, dandeettii kee gabbisi Bor kee miidhagsuudhaaf, har’a of jabeessi. Wallaalummaan dukkanadha, deemsa kee gufachiisa Beekumsi garuu ifaadha, mul’ata kee milkeessa Kitaaba dubbisii, qalama kee hidhadhu Addunyaa beekumsaan, of dura hiriirfadhu. Follow-up: Walaloo kana keessatti mata-duree

The Oromo people, who are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, have a rich cultural heritage. Their language, customs, and traditions are an integral part of Ethiopian diversity. The Oromo language, in particular, is known for its unique grammatical structure and vocabulary, which reflect the history and experiences of the Oromo people.

Here, Barnoota becomes decolonization. The 39th chapter of the Oromo student’s life is when they realize that the textbook written in another’s language is a cage—and that true learning is carving the alphabet onto a qillee (a wooden spoon used for butter making) until the letters smell of home.

Barsiisaa koo, ani 39-ee keessa jira. My teacher, I live inside the 39th night. I have memorized the alphabet of hunger, But the library of liberation is still locked. Barnoota: you are the knife and the honey.