A History of Anfilloo District, Qellam Wallagga, Ca.1941-2000

Abstract

The objective of the study is to reconstruct the major historical developments in Anfilloo District in areas of economic, political, social, and cultural aspects from 1941-2000. The need to look back at the historical background of a history of Anfilloo is very crucial. On the one hand, the area has long history of the study area has long history in different administrative system, still the attention or concern given by scholars and researchers to the subjects are very little or low. Indeed, there are few works produced on some aspects of this area merged with other nearby District Sayyoo Oromo. Nevertheless, these works have no specificity and depth/comprehensiveness on the study. That is why this research work was conducted to fill the gap left by different written documents. The study employed the qualitative research method. Primary sources were collected using interview from the elders (Maanguddoo) of the study area and secondary sources were collected from Libraries of Jimma University, Wëllëggä University, and Institute of Ethiopian Study (IES), Addis Ababa University. Interview was held with different offices in the District. The selecting of informants was done by focusing on the, age, and maturity of their knowledge on background of the study area. The data were analyzed by categorizing thematic analysis, and linking approach through narrative. The major socio-economic Anfilloo is coffee production with subsistence of agriculture. In the District, coffee production was well practiced by the farmers of different Qàbàlë s. For its attraction coffee is connected to different ethnic groups from neighbors to long-distance migrants. The immigration of different ethnic groups from various areas was made of the interaction with the society through buna Qixxee, Beeshoo, and coffee harvesting. The interaction with the periphery people of Anfilloo was more stabilized during the administration of Lij Bantii Waggaa with the support of Lij Tolina Burii. During this time Lij Tolina participated in the unity of Maccaa and Tulamaa.Relation with periphery people like Komo, the Majang and the herders of Nigeria (The Fallaata) deeply focused on the side of economy. Orthodox Christianity was introduced to Anfilloo District by Qees Cherinat Walde Mariam and Qèñàzmäch Danu Xiichaa and planted the first church (St. George) in Henachee Qàbàlë, in 1904. Islam religion was introduced in an area from Jimma by Haji Umar Usman (Abbaa Joobir 1909. Lastly, protestant was introduced by the dwellers of the region Tekile Walde Mariam in 1950-1954.