Integers Nine to One and their significance in Gadaa (part I)

Do you wonder where the Oromo sayings like Salggan Yaa’ii Oromoo, Saddeettan dhala Neencaa, Torbban naannoo dilbataa, …, tokkeen tokkittuma came from? Why is Yaa’ii Oromo composed of nine and why is Oromo jury composed of five?

According to Obbo Aanga’aa Dhugumaa, “numbers vibrate power and love” and can be categorized as strong or weak based on how they behave when multiplied with other integers from one to nine. Gadaa attaches significance to whether an integer is strong or weak when making use of it.

The following is taken from Obbo Aanga’aa Dhugumaa’s article titled “The Need to Move On” written June 24, 2007. Apologies for the missing figures (graphs) as this blogger has not seen them himself. However, he doesn’t suppose they are difficult to imagine while reading the explanations or make rough sketches of them.

This blogger knows nothing about this subject but found Obbo Aanga’aa’s take on it interesting and fascinating so much so that he decided to share with his readers.

Enjoy!

Excerpt from "The Need to Move On"
By Anga'a Dhuguma
June 24, 2007

It is a prerequisite to know the definitions of all positive integers from 9 to 1 before going into the theories and practices of Gadaa, a simple method of democratic governance of the Oromos. It is a democratic system that has been in place for more than 1,000 years. However, an Oromo prophet (Rajii) called Makoo Bili revised this democratic system some 500 years ago. Unfortunately at the beginning of the 20th century the Abyssinian autocrats, during the scramble for Africa started suppressing this system. Oromos use “9” for supreme council, “5” for jury, and “3” for war leaders and administration. It should be understood that numbers vibrate power and love.

Let us take the numbers one by one and study their meaning and assignment to the Gadaa functions by using graphs adopted from mathematical formula called (dhaa) in Afaan Oromo.

The number 9 is defined as the sum of Oromo supreme councils of representatives, commonly known as the “Salggan Yaa’ii Boorana” or Salggan Yaa’ii Oromo. When I was a child, my elders told me that all numbers were defined by a theory known as “Dhaa” to the Oromos. Although it is subject to further investigation, I believe that dhaa is a form of mathematics based on asymmetrical philosophy. The dhaa defines that nine is the strongest of all the numbers. Refer to figure I to understand more about the number 9.

In the Oromo culture blessings are repeated three times in order to make the good wishes come true. It is the belief of Oromos that Waaqaa (God) recognizes your prayer if it is accented this way. Let us follow a systematic approach to all the numbers from 9 to 1.

The equation that follows is used to compare the characteristic nature of all numbers. One says Buli Buli Buli in the Oromo blessing. By the same analogy one can say 9, 9, 9. Now we consolidate them (Gumeesi), i.e. 9 + 9 + 9 = 27 (9x3 = 27). We need to further consolidate the product until the sum becomes a single number, i.e. 2 + 7 = 9. This suggests that nine is a strong and powerful number that does not lose its identity no matter what it is multiplied with, as long as the number is positive and whole. Thus, proving, the number 9 is associated with positive and wholesome concepts.

From this analogy I formulated that 9xN = XY where X + Y = 9. Where N is any positive integer from one to infinity (Figure I). The graph of nine is a strait line regardless of the value of N. Due to its characteristic nature that nothing changes the number 9, it is chosen as the number of supreme council to govern Oromia. It is named after Boorana or Oromo, the man who first implemented it as an Oromo system of governance over a thousand years ago and revised by a prophet (Rajii) named Makoo Bili some 500 years ago.

[Continued in Part II]