Oromo, Yajju in Ethiopia

Joshua Project has identified the Oromo, Yajju only in Ethiopia





Largest Religion

Main Language


Introduction / History

Unlike other Oromo's who trace their lineage to Borana or Bareentu, the 2 patriarchs of the Oromo Nation; The Yejju are a Semitic people that were assimilated into the Oromo people. According to accounts from Ethiopian Orthodox historians, A large Yemeni tribe migrated to the Sultanate of Adal, which was based in Eastern Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somaliland. They became a key part of the advancement of the Adalite army that conquered all but the Christian Highlands of Western Ethiopia. This became fatal, as the Christian Ethiopians regrouped and annihilated all Muslims in the surrounding lowlands, pushing them back to Harar, their capital. The Yejju on the other hand, fled south into Oromo territory, where they were adopted into the ethnic group and converted many to Islam. They lost their language and adopted Afaan Oromo, though traces of their original culture are prevalent still today.

Where are they Located?

The Yejju are the most northern dwelling Oromos. They live in the state of Gojjam (Western Ethiopia) just south of Lake Tana. Lowland Yejju consecrate around north Shewa (Central Ethiopia) and Wello (North Eastern Ethiopia).

What are Their Lives Like?

The Yejju have very different lifestyles depending on their location. The Yejju of Gojjam live as farmers and pastoralists. They are predominantly Orthodox Christian and many are Amharic speaking and are usually mixed with Amhara's blood. The lowland Yejju of Shewa and Wello are almost wholly Sunni Muslim. They live either as urban city dwellers or nomadic herders and traders. They speak Afaan Oromo or other languages to make trade easier with neighbors (Arabic, Afar, Somali, Harari, Agrobba).

What are Their Beliefs?

The Yejju are mostly Sunni Muslim but there are Orthodox Christian majorities within the Yejju residing in Gojjam or cities with predominant Amharas/Tigrais populations like Addis Abeba.

What are Their Needs?

The Yejju and the Oromo in general, have been heavily persecuted by both Christian and Muslim peoples. They are called strangers of the land due to not orginially being from Ethiopia but migrating from Northern Kenya around the 16th Century. Though present day, the Oromo's are not mistreated like older times and in fact Ethiopia's largest ethnic group.

Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Oromo, Yajju
People Name in Country Oromo, Yajju
Population in Ethiopia 99,300
Progress Scale 1.2
Least-Reached Yes
Unengaged or Unknown Yes
Indigenous Yes
Alternate Names
Affinity Bloc Horn of Africa Peoples
People Cluster Oromo
People Name General Oromo, Yajju
Ethnic Code CMT33b
Country Ethiopia
Region East and Southern Africa
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Location in Country West and central, Oromo region; Rift Valley escarpment east of Dessie and Woldiya
Oromo, West Central (99,000)
Oromo, West Central 99,000
Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible Portions Yes   (1841-1981)
New Testament Yes   (1876-1995)
Complete Bible Yes   (1899-1998)
Audio Bible Online
Category Resource
Audio Recordings Global Recordings
Audio Recordings Online New Testament (FCBH)
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio (Jesus Film Project)
Film / Video God's Story Video
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Oromo, West Central
Film / Video Magdalena (Jesus Film Project)
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children (JF Project)
General Got Questions Ministry
Scripture World Missionary Press Booklets
Prayer Links
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-01-19

Major Religion Percent
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.20 %)
1.30 %
Ethnic Religions
18.70 %
0.00 %
80.00 %
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
0.00 %

Christian Segments Percent
0.0 %
0.0 %
100.0 %
Other Christian
0.0 %
0.0 %
Roman Catholic
0.0 %
Photo Source: UN OCHA-Ethiopia  
Map Source: Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source: Anonymous  
Data Sources: Data is compiled from various sources. Read more
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