Caalii Fufaa Baqaanaa was born in Boji Dirmaji, Babbo Xobbii province, Western Wollega, in 1936. A worship service at the Christian school in Boji touched Caalii’s heart. He desired to serve Jesus, separating himself from the traditional religion. Caalii opened his first school in Babbo Xobbii in 1949. From that time on, he served the local congregations by preaching and solo singing. Having completed his teacher training, Caalii opened another school in Kata Kami. From 1965 to 1966, he served as an evangelist in Amuma Degero.
Afterwards, Caalii studied at Onesimos Nesib Bible College (Aira). In 1968, he was ordained and assigned as the leader of the Jarso Parish. The military regime closed the local Mekane Yesus congregations from 1982 until 1989. Rev. Caalii was arrested several times since he continued to serve the pressured Christians at their homes. Even after his retirement in 1999, Rev. Caalii never stopped preaching and singing in his parish and at special occasions, such as the 100th anniversary of the Oromo Bible translation.
Albums
(1) Cass. 1. Solo cassette, released by EECMY Yemisrach Dimts Communication Services [YDCS], Addis Ababa, September 1987.
(2) Cass. 2. Solo cassette, released by YDCS, Addis Ababa, 1987.
(3) Burqqaa jiirenngaa [The source of life]. Solo cassette, released by YDCS, Addis Ababa, approximately 1989.
(4) Misiraachoo Wangeelaa [The good news of the Gospel]. VCD, recorded at Global Mercy of God Church, Nekemte; released by Arara TV 2021.
Manuscript
» View Rev. Caalii Fufaa’s hand-written songbook
» View Rev. Caalii Fufaa’s typed songbook
Lyrics in hymnbooks
Macaafa Faarfannaa: Galata Waaqayyoo (1998)
In the EECMY Hymnbook there are 40 songs from Rev. Caalii Fufaa:
No. 6, 13, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27, 47, 56, 62, 67, 68, 97, 98, 104, 107, 114, 117, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 126, 130, 134, 135, 138, 164, 197, 215, 244, 255, 274, 291, 299, 305, 320, 324.
» Read lyrics
» Visit website with overview of the
sources of Rev. Caalii’s melodies
Galata Waaqayyoo (1990/91)
There were 35 songs from Rev. Caalii Fufaa:
No. 1, 14, 15, 18, 21, 22, 23, 29, 33, 43, 49, 50, 77, 78, 95, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 113, 114, 161, 145, 178, 193, 195, 205, 206, 224, 225, 238.
Musical notations
» View Marianne Nilsson’s musical notation of Rev. Caalii Fufaa’s hymns
Connect
» Follow Sadirak Taasisaa on Facebook (Rev. Caalii’s nephew)
Audio (commercial and freemium)
» Check Caalii Fufaa’s tracks on
- YouTube Music
Audio (YouTube)
» Listen to albums and songs
Video
» Watch songs and worship services
Interview
published in 2019:
Picture
Further reading
Daggafaa Dhaabaa. Gooticha Wangeela Kristoos: Seenaa jireenyaa fi tajaajila Luba Caalii Fufaa [The Hero of the Gospel of Christ: The Life and Ministry of Rev. Caallii Fufaa]. Finfinnee [aka Addis Ababa]: self-published, 2025. [View online]
— Mezgebu Fufaa (Rev.) / Sadirak Taasisaa