In what a few may view as "unnecessary" , Ali Birraa is prepared for a second round of a controversial trip to Oromiya , and most importantly to his native city of Diree Dhawaa which is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary .

Founded in the late Nineteenth Century with the advent of the rail way construction, Dire Dawa is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary and a full-fledged preparation for the festivity is underway to mark this important event.

There has been a special arrangement made by Ethiopian representatives both in Washington and Ottawa for Ali Birraa 's travel to Diree Dhawaa Centennial Celebration where he will be the Honorary Guest and the Star Performer of the January 5th 2008 event.

A preceding performance will be held at the Millennium Hall in Finfinnee on December 23, 2008.

His trip, nonetheless, may not be all that popular every where. There was an uproar over Ali’s trip to Oromiya when he made a similar tour a couple of years ago.

A few in the Oromo Community may not still support his travel at this time when many of his kinsmen are being wrongly arrested or maltreated because of their ethnicity.

To Ali, however, this trip is very important for many reasons. His home-base fans, which he has a special attachments to, will be able to see him perform. He will at the same time be able to see his father and other members of his family and friends.

This trip, in his own words, is "Strictly for Business".

Maatikoo is one of the latest Oromiyan DVD releases . It is funny, entertaining and educational in which very talented Oromo artists are featured.

Many of the talents presented in Maatikoo have come together, each with a piece of a script or an idea and put together in this magnificent production. This is a sneak preview of a much bigger and better thing. Maatiikoo is produced and directed by Oromiyans at Oromiyaa locations, and it depicts just another one of Oromiyan untapped resources of abilities and potentials.

As in many other fronts, Oromiyan entertainment business had suffered tremendously within the country mainly because it was discouraged. Scripts or lyrics have been heavily censured or put under strict scrutiny.

Oromo artists involved in this field took huge risks as they were labeled "security-threats", those who did, paid a hefty price. There were, however, a few who were successful in the business. Those who were, had to assume different identities, sing or perform about matters unrelated to their cultural heritages, and devoid of realities.

Considering the limited resourses or opportunities Oromo actors and musicians had entertained, this piece of work has earned them a significant leap towards achieving or even excelling in their endeavors, which rely heavily on our support.

After watching Maatiikoo closely, its limitations might be evident to anyone, and the impact a low budget production may have had in any of the scenarios. This shortcoming should not underrate the efforts of the artists nor the objective underlying its production. Each and every one featured in it is capable of rendering high quality performance - of course, with proper resources at their disposal.

If you have enjoyed Maatiikoo please buy the original DVD and share it with your family and friends.

Thank you,