(OLF News, Nov. 11, 2008): Sources of OLF News from Finfinnee (Addis Ababa) reported that the famous and celebrated Oromo Artist Zerihun Wadajoo has been detained on November 7, 2008 by the Wayyaanee TPLF “security” forces and his where about is unknown. Artist Zerihun Wadaajoo, a father of 4 kids, is one of the pioneers who revived, shaped, and modernized the Oromo music and culture, which was about to be abolished from the face of the earth during the successive Ethiopian regimes. He spent several years in prison during the military junta of Mengistu Hailemariam.
In the last 17 or so years nearly all famous Oromo artists who are not willing to work or sing the political song of the TPLF regime are subjected to harassment, arbitrary arrest, torture, open and cold blooded and day light murder, disappearance, and above all flee their country and take refugee in neighboring countries, Middle East, US, Europe, Canada, and Australia for fear of arbitrary persecution.
Some of the Oromo artists who have been killed by the current regime include:
1. A famous and loved modern artist Eebbisaa Addunyaa, a singer and a guitarist, and his friend Xannaa Wayyeessaa were murdered at his home in his bed around American Embassy in Finfinnee on August 30, 1996;
2. A renowned vocalist Usmayyoo Muusaa was arrested in 1995, with his friend and known artist Suutee bareentoo, spent in prison for 11 years in detention center, subjected to a permanent illness as a result of a prolonged and brutal torture over a period of 11 years and died shortly after he was out of prison in November 2006;
3. Hime Yusuf singer and musician, Chafe Gada Band, killed in Hararge 1997.
4. Kulani Boru female vocalist, Chafe Gada Band, Hararge 1997;
5. Bonsiso Challa singer, Chafe Gada Band, Hararge 1992;
6. Hordofa Barento traditional dancer, Chafe Gada Band, Hararge 1992;
7. Jalal drama producer, Chafe Gada Band, Hararge 1992;
8. Sabontu Barentu female vocalist, Chafe Gada Band, Bale 1997;
9. Ayantu Borana female traditional dancer, Chafe Gada Band, Bale 1997
10.
Maaramee Harqa Kaasaa
11.
Yoseef Gammachuu
Other Oromo Artists who have been disappeared since the present regime came to power include:
1. Jirenya Ayana, singer, Gada Band, Addis Ababa 1996.
2. Basha Hussein, female traditional dancer, Bilisuma Band, Addis Ababa 1999
3. Fufa Duguma, poet, Addis Ababa 1997
4. Darartu Bona, female vocalist, Bale 1997
5. Abdulhakim (Shefis), singer, Chafe Gada Band, Bale 1997
6. Adem Wake, singer, Addis Ababa 1997.
Oromo performers who have fled to the neighboring countries and to the West include:
1. Ali Shabo
2. Suutee Bareentoo (fled after being arrested for 11 years in TPLF detention center with Usmaayyoo Muusaa)
3. Elfinesh Qannoo (arrested twice during the military regime of Mengistu H/mariam, and twice during the TPLF)
4. Qurquje Simbo
5. Dagim Mokonon
6. Bashir Dabi
7. Totoba Taddasse
8. Yohannis Abata
9. Shole Tefera
10. Muktar Usman
11. Mohammed Sheka
12. Tuji mudde
13. Ababa Abishu
14. Umar Suleyman
15. Shabe Sheko F
16. Hailu Kitaba
17. Dawit Makonnin
18. Hirpa Ganfure
19. Mahadi Jabon
20. Boharsitu Obsa
21. Bakalcha Yahya
22. Kasim Adam
23. Kumala Adugna
24. Hashim Aliyi
25. Hangatu Balcha
26. Dagne Dafersha
27. Mohammed Kedir
28. Juneydi Abdulrashid
29. Kedir Sa'id
30. Gamachiftu Urfo
31. Dirirsa Elemo
32. Talile Barento
33. Abdo Nawe
34. Bikila Guyuta'a
35. Futabiher Gudina
36. Mussa Turki
37. Adem Harun
38. Challa Charchar.
About a year ago, a VOA Afan Oromo journalist asked artist Zerihun Wadaajoo why he decided to stay in Ethiopia under such a risky situation when nearly all-prominent Oromo artists fled the empire fearing persecution. He said this: “I would have liked to escape the empire if it was only about my life. But I have four kids, and my wife has no job. It is only by my existence that they can survive. Therefore, I decided to take any risk for my life and stay here in the empire.”
One can see now that not only that artist Zerihun Wadaajoo is disappearing, perhaps never to be seen again, just like many before him, but also his wife and his four kids are left with out father and virtually without any help.
It is to be recalled that OLF News and various media out lets and human rights groups have been reporting a widespread mass arrest of Oromo people by the current regime in the last few days.
OLF News
