Upholding justice through music: protesting betrayal in Oromo song, Wal Agarraa

Abstract

The study aimed at explicating the linguistic choices subsumed in an Oromo protest song, Wal Agarraa by Galanaa Garoomsaa so as to shed light on the underlying messages as a form of political discourse. Music is considered one of the platforms for expressing discontent among the Oromo. In this research, we explored the textual instrumentality of the lyrics of the song as a form of political discourse in exposing the injustices perpetrated against the Oromo. We adopted Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework to identify the discourses in the song. The study has made it evident that the song has got a number of underlying messages meant to raise the consciousness of the citizens regarding the injustices perpetrated against the Oromo. As such, the central theme of the song is that the Oromo quest for justice will be revealed eventually which the artist foreshadows using the title of the song Wal Agarraa/the time will come/. Furthermore, the functions of coercion, legitimization-delegitimization, and resistance, opposition and dissimulation have been subsumed in the song to convey the imbedded messages. The findings of the study also demonstrate that music goes far beyond simply reflecting and describing the state of affairs but it also becomes a platform through which discursive spaces are opened.