Picture:-Halo Dawe, Source Social media.
Halo Dawe, an Oromo artist, was one of the legends of Oromo artists who dedicated her life to the art, equality, and freedom of the Oromo people. She was born around 1960 in Dire Dawa city in the Eastern Oromia region. Besides her artistic ability, Halo was raised with the values of heroism, nationalism, history, and love for her nation.
With her beautiful voice, Halo Dawe embarked on her artistic journey at the age of fifteen. That time was a significant period in which the Oromo community organization in Dirre Dawa and the ‘Afran Qalo’ Band were actively engaged in promoting Oromo culture and music. However, it was also the time that the Ethiopian government imposed severe restrictions on singing in the Afaan Oromo language, deeming it a criminal offense. Undeterred by this oppressive measure, Halo Dawe fearlessly joined the Oromo art, and defended the violations and injustices perpetrated against the Oromo people. She was deeply committed to fighting against tyranny and becoming a voice for her community’s rights and identity.
Even when the government disbanded the Afran Qallo, the oldest band that had played a foundational role in the Oromo rights struggle and the development of Oromo arts, Halo Dawe and other artists continued their struggle by forming another band called “Biftu Bari” (morning sun), ensuring that Oromo art and the struggle for rights remained alive.
Halo Dawe’s work has served as an inspiration to others to join the struggle for the freedom of Oromia. Consequently, she was imprisoned for more than 2 years, and then sought refuge in neighboring countries like Somalia and Djibouti for 7 years. Then she returned home and paid a great sacrifice as she went into the forest and fought in arms. She has fearlessly stood up against the oppressors, defending the rights of her people and fighting for a better future. She is now known as a symbol of resilience and perseverance, inspiring others to stand up for their rights and fight for justice.
Some of her songs for which she is well known are.
“Barbaanne wal barraa
Ni Barra walirraa
Yeroo saatu arraa…… “
“We are interested in
Getting to know each other
We learn from each other
Today, when it is time…“
“Walhora warra keessanii
Teessumni guddoon Shaggarii,
Baabura yaabbadheen dhufaa
Na Eegi Yaa Shamarmarii”
A song she uses to describe the united Oromia and the central is Shager (Finfinne). And “Oromoon Fardaan Dabaale” which describes the heroism of the Oromo horsemen. For over 40 years, she has made 10 individual cassettes, 13 collective cassettes and a total of 23 cassettes.
Sadly, after years of battling severe diabetes and high blood pressure, she passed away on October 14, 2023 and her funeral service took place on October 16, 2023, in Adama town, where family, friends, and admirers gathered to pay their respects.
Although Haloo Dawwee may no longer be with us physically, her legacy lives on. Her contributions to the promotion of Oromo and Oromuma will continue to shape and inspire future generations. She left a legacy that goes beyond the grave, a legacy that generations to come will always remember.