In Oromo literature, a "proper" poem ( Walaloo ) follows specific rules to maintain its quality:
Walaloo mana barumsaa koo extra qualityBakka ani beekumsa qabuu dhaloota koo.
Walaloo mana barumsaa koo extra qualityBarsiisota koo kan natti dhimman,Ija koo ibsanii naaf ibsan.
Afaan Oromoo poetry relies heavily on cadence. Match your breathing to the end of each stanza ( galmee ). walaloo mana barumsaa koo extra quality
Walaloon “” keessatti yoo ta’e, kanneen fayyadamuu dandeessa:
Walaloo mana barumsaa koo extra qualityBakka ani beekumsa qabuu dhaloota koo.
For the Oromo people, poetry has always been central to life. The term "walaloo" refers to a specific genre of sung poetry that often deals with major themes such as triumphs, struggles, laments, and political issues. Unlike simple everyday speech, walaloo is characterized by its careful use of language, rich sound patterns, and deep meaning—it uses techniques like word repetition, syntactic parallelism, and extended vowel patterns to create a musical and emotional effect. In Oromo literature, a "proper" poem ( Walaloo
Walaloo mana barumsaa koo extra quality Mana barumsaa koo mana barnoota koo,Bakka ani beekumsa qabuu dhaloota koo.Barsiisota koo kan anaaf dhimman,Ija koo ibsanii naaf ibsan.
Daree kee keessatti sanyiin wal hin dhabu,Beekumsa malee wanti bakka qabu.Nu ijaarta har'a boruuf akka taanu,Biyya keenya ijaarree diina akka gubaani.
Mana barumsaa jaaladhu, jireenya jaaladhu, hubannoo jaaladhu, extra quality keessanitti waan dhugaa qofa fayyadamaa! Match your breathing to the end of each stanza ( galmee )
Walaloo mana barumsaa koo extra qualityBakka ani beekumsa qabuu dhaloota koo.
Barsiisota koo, abbaa seenaa, Nama beekumsa na barsiisaa. Sagalee isaanii, kan tola, Qalbii koo kan guuttatu dha.
Dubbisuuf kan namatti tolu fi salphaatti sammuutti kan qabamudha.
Take a 2-second breath after each stanza to let the meaning sink in.