The Karayu people
Presentation
The Karayu, who are part of the Oromo ethnic group, live in eastern Ethiopia, in the Awash valley.
The Karayu are among the last Oromo – with the Borena, Guji and Kamise – to maintain their pastoral way of life. As such, they are considered by many Oromo as the guardians of traditional culture.
The traditional religion of the Karayu is waaqeffata, a monotheistic religion based on a belief in a supreme being called Waaqa. This religion is strongly linked to nature. The Oromo thus pray the Waaqa in sacred sites such as lakes, water points, the summits of certain mountains but also near specific tree species, such as the odaa without making them animists.
The Karayu also participate in the gada system, an ancient and complex African form of democracy, based on generational groups which alternate power every eight years. A complete gada cycle lasts 40 years. Gada is not only a political system but also a social institution that governs the lives of the Oromo from birth to death.
Today, the Karayu struggle to maintain the traditional way of life and face difficulties as they are a relatively unknown group, whether in Ethiopia or abroad.