Chapter 17: Rural Life (Part 2)
Jiruu Baadiyaa (Kutaa 2)
Grammar Focus
Agentive Nouns
Agents (people who perform an action) can be formed by adding the suffix -tuu to nominal and verbal roots.
barachuu(to learn) →barattuu(student)qotuu(to farm) →qottuu(farmer)sirbuu(to sing) →sirbituu(dancer)
Abstract Nouns
Abstract nouns can be formed with various suffixes. Common ones include -eennya, -n, -ummaa.
adii(white) →addeennya(whiteness)dheeraa(long) →dheerina(length)fira(relative) →firummaa(relationship)
Noun Compounds
Oromo can form complex nouns by combining nominal and other roots.
| Afaan Oromo | English |
|---|---|
| abbaa warraa | head of a family |
| abdii qabduu | hopeful |
| ala waada | kitchen |
| bakka maqaa | pronoun |
| garaa laaftuu | kind-hearted |
| haadha manaa | wife |
| humna dhabduu | powerless |
| tolcha namaa | man-made |
Dialogue: A Glimpse into Rural Life
Bara kudhan tahe eega Roobaa fi Shaggituun warra ifi dhaaban...
It has been ten years since Roobaa and Shaggituu established their own family. Gradually, they have become able to manage their own lives. According to Oromo tradition, the household duties are divided between the husband and wife. The husband handles the difficult tasks like farming and building fences. The wife is responsible for all the housework, such as preparing food, cleaning the house, washing clothes, and looking after the children. However, some tasks they do together.
Now they have four children. The eldest is Boruu, the next is Ammoo, the third is Meeuaa, and the youngest is Mul'ataa.
Roobaa has fertile land. He grows wheat and corn. He also cultivates nuts. On the side, he grows cabbage, onions, potatoes, garlic, beans, and other vegetables. Under the fence, he plants pumpkins.
Shaggituu raises sheep and chickens. The children help their parents with everything. Shaggituu often goes to the market. She sells grain, potatoes, cabbage, chickens, and eggs. From the market, she buys salt, cooking oil, kitchen utensils, clothes, and other things. Roobaa sometimes goes to the cattle market to sell oxen or sheep.