08/30/2022
A Short Story of Legend Ebisa Adugna.
Ebisa Adunyaa, born in the Wallaga region of Oromia, was a popular Oromo singer. Through his Music and activism, he fearlessly fought for the freedom of Oromo people. His advocacy journey began in 1991, while waiting for admission to a university. At the time, the military regime of Ethiopia was overthrown by Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), The Tigray People's Liberation Front, and the Eritrean People's Liberation Front forces. In Ebisa's hometown of Dembi Dollo, the OLF forces had set up a strong military base. As a young Oromo man, Ebisa was very aware of the inequality and injustices the Oromo people were facing, and their need for self-determination. He joined the OLF to support the Oromo struggle for freedom. Beyond his abilities within the military, Ebisa was also musically talented; he played many instruments and was a gifted vocalist. Because of this, he joined the OLF music band and played a significant role in pushing forth the Oromo culture, music, and identity. Throughout 1991 and 1992, Ebisa travelled through various regions within Oromia to perform and sing; his songs were revolutionary. They were songs that strongly emphasized the sufferings of the Oromo people and ways through which the Oromo people should demand justice.
On a personal level, Ebisa was a very kind person; he truly loved and cared for the Oromo people. He provided his assistance and care to all; relatives, neighbors, stranges and anyone who needed help. Ebisa was also known to be a very brave individual. Even after the OLF went underground and its leaders were banished from the country, he continued to sing about the criminal activities that the Ethiopian government was heavily engaging in. He was extremely fearless, daring, and publicly vocal about the Ethiopian regime's terrorist tactics against the Oromo people and continued to also support the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).
Because Ebisa was so courageous, so openly vocal about the murders and injustices that the Ethiopian government was committing, he himself became a large target of the Ethiopian government. The government began to monitor him and eventually on August 30th, 1996, Ebisa Adunya was assassinated in his own home along with his friend by the Ethiopian government forces in Finfinne.
Story Credit: OPride.com
