The Oromo Community Organization of Pennsylvania (OCOP)
Join us in building a stronger, united Oromo community of Pennsylvania.
Who We Are
About Oromo People
About Oromo People
About Oromo People
The Oromo are a native East African ethnic group, and over 95% of them live in present-day Ethiopia of the Oromia region and, to a smaller extent, in Kenya and Somalia. Their population is estimated to be around 45 million, which makes it the largest ethnic group in both Ethiopia and Eastern Africa. The Oromos of Ethiopia had a distinct
The Oromo are a native East African ethnic group, and over 95% of them live in present-day Ethiopia of the Oromia region and, to a smaller extent, in Kenya and Somalia. Their population is estimated to be around 45 million, which makes it the largest ethnic group in both Ethiopia and Eastern Africa. The Oromos of Ethiopia had a distinct ancient democratic system of governance called Gadaa system before they were absorbed into the Ethiopian empire mainly by the Abyssinian king Menelik II between 1886 and 1889. During this time, some Oromos were incorporated into the Abyssinian Empire through conquest war, and some were unified through political and cultural assimilation, which included paying tributes and taxation. For the last 150 years, Oromos have carried out a continuous struggle to achieve self-governance and a genuine democratic equality within the now federated country of Ethiopia.
About OCOP
About Oromo People
About Oromo People
There are hundreds of thousands of Oromo people living in diaspora, largely residing in the United States, Canada, Norway, England, Sweden, Australia, etc. An estimated 2500 Oromo people call the State of Pennsylvania in America home, most of them reside in Philadelphia and Lancaster counties, of which many of them are eligible to vote.
There are hundreds of thousands of Oromo people living in diaspora, largely residing in the United States, Canada, Norway, England, Sweden, Australia, etc. An estimated 2500 Oromo people call the State of Pennsylvania in America home, most of them reside in Philadelphia and Lancaster counties, of which many of them are eligible to vote. The Community Organization of Pennsylvania (OCOP) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization registered in Pennsylvania as of 1995 to promote Oromo language, culture and wellness of our members and is a member of the Oromo Communities’ Association of North America (OCA-NA), an umbrella organization serving Oromo nationals in the US and Canada
Our Services
About Oromo People
Our Services
We offer various community support services, including organizing annual get-together events where members display their culture, use their native Oromo language, and unite as Oromos to advance the socio-economic interests and the well-being of Oromos living in Pennsylvania. We also facilitate networking with different support groups to p
We offer various community support services, including organizing annual get-together events where members display their culture, use their native Oromo language, and unite as Oromos to advance the socio-economic interests and the well-being of Oromos living in Pennsylvania. We also facilitate networking with different support groups to provide life-sustaining aid to Oromos adversely impacted back home in Ethiopia by war, displacement, and natural disasters.
Moments of connection with OCOP community members
Current Leaders of OCOP
Current Executive Committee Members
- Napol Dufera Gurmesa...President
- Bedada Bulti...Vice President
- Yosef Girisa...Secretary
- Hirut Amante…Treasurer
- Ebise Hika...Public Relations
Current Board Members
- Abel Ayele
- Shimelis Bedane
- Seyoum Mengesha
- Dandi Ruffo
- Napol Gurmesa