Denial of leadership development and the underdevelopment of public health: the experience of the Oromo people in Ethiopia

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Periodical article

Title:	Denial of leadership development and the underdevelopment of public health: the experience of the Oromo people in Ethiopia
Author:	Dugassa, Begna
Year:	2012
Periodical:	The journal of Oromo studies
Volume:	19
Issue:	1-2
Pages:	139-174
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ethiopia
Subjects:	political repression Oromo health policy leadership
Abstract:	Subjected to Ethiopian colonial policies, the Oromo people have not been allowed to develop their indigenous institutions and the independent leadership needed to mobilize their own resources and improve their standard of living. This situation has led to the gradual deterioration of public health conditions in Oromia and exposed the Oromo to situations that have led elsewhere to the annihilation of several colonized peoples. This paper first sets the framework for analysing the relationship between colonialism and public health. It then explores indigenous Oromo leadership and institutions and their role in maintaining the overall well-being of Oromo society. Finally it examines the mechanisms by which the government of Ethiopia has denied the Oromo people their own leadership and assesses the public health impact of this, paying attention to policies of cultural assimilation; intermarriage between Ethiopians and Oromo; the elimination of Oromo leaders; the separation of the Oromo leadership from the people; the distortion of the image of potential Oromo leaders; and corruption and cooptation. Bibliogr., notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]