Oromo Oral Poetry Seen from Within

CONTENTS: Wilhelm J.G. Möhlig: Introduction, Tesema Ta'a: Oromo traditional songs, Tamene Bitima: On some Oromo historical poems, Abdullahi A. Shongolo: Boran traditional blessings and prayers, Dabala Goshu / Ronny Meyer: A people blessed and accursed by God - The Waata around lake Zway, Tadesse Jaleta Jirata: Social functions of Oromo proverbs, Tamene Bitima: Oromo riddles. Reviews: "The book is a valuable study of different aspects of Oromo oral poetry and its role in the social life of one of the largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia. It shows how the native researchers are active in preserving and caring for their verbal culture, which otherwise they fear might disappear." Ewa Wolk in Studies of the Department of African Languages and Cultures, 37/2005, pp. 124-127.