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Waaqeffanna
Waaqeffanna is an ethnic religion indigenous to the Oromo people in the Horn of Africa as well as other Cushitic speaking peoples. The word Waaqeffanna, deriving from the word Waaqa, is the ancient name for Creator in various Cushitic languages including the Oromo people and Somali people. The followers of the Waaqeffanna religion are called Waaqeffataa and they believe in the supreme being Waaqa Tokkicha (the one God). It is estimated that about 23% of the Oromo population, which is 8,095,000 Oromos, in present-day Ethiopia actively practice this religion. Some put the number around 5,000,000, depending on how many subsets of the religion one includes. This number is still up for debate by many African religious scholars.
O wonder! O wonder! . . . The wonders are six:
The hornbill complains without being sick;
the plant flourishes without nourishment;
the water runs without being urged;
the earth is fixed without pegs;
the heavens hold themselves up without supports;
in the firmament He (God) has sown the chick-peas of heaven.
These things fill me with wonder. Let us all pray to God! O God, who hast caused me to pass the day cause me to pass the night well!
— The Waaqeffannaa song, in “The folk-literature of the Galla of Southern Abyssinia”
The main religious belief of Waaqeffanna is that Waaqa (the creator) is the creator of the universe and has many manifestations known as Ayyaana. The Ayyaana serve as intermediary spirits between Waaqa and his creations. The Ayyaana (spirits) are known to possess chosen men and women, who are then given the title Qallu and Qallitti respectively. All Uuma (creatures) are believed to be assigned an Ayyaana by Waaqa for guidance and protection.
Waaqeffataas live according to Safuu, the moral and legal principles that guide the interactions of humans with Waaqa. The breach of Safuu is regarded a sin and is condemned by Waaqa.
Waaqa is the supreme being and is omniscient, omni-benevolent and omnipotent. He is also just and loving. This supreme being is addressed through a variety of names in the different regions and many believe that the term Waaqa means 'the God with many names'. The Oromo people also use the term Waaqa Gurr'acha to address the creator, which translates as “Black(Gurracha)God'(Waaqa). The term is believed to indicate that Waaqa is the origin of everything, is mysterious and they are the one that can not be interfered with.
The Ayyaana are believed to be divinities that serve as messengers between Waaqa and their creations. The Ayyaana are not capable of creation but provide communication. They possess men and women and thus speak with the people. Different regions of Oromo hold varying beliefs and understandings of what the Ayyana (spirit) are capable of. While some argue that Ayyanna can't act alone without an order from Waaqa, others claim that the Ayyaana are able to directly affect all aspects of life. Waaqeffataas believe that all creations of Waaqa have their own assigned Ayyaana. The Ambo Oromo have identified several Ayyaanas by lineage and clan. There are power hierarchies within different Ayyaana. For example, the Ayyaana of a clan is stronger than the Ayyaana of a lineage which in turn is stronger than the Ayyana of an individual. It is very common for people to paint their skin with the local African bush species "aaasqaama". The followers will char this bush and cover their skin with the charred paint, to devote themselves to Iinqqaama.[failed verification]
The Qaalluu is an important institution in the Oromo religious and social system. It serves to protect the Oromo culture and tradition. Qaalluu is from the Oromiffa word qull, which translates as 'pure, holy, sacred, blameless, black'. In the Qaalluu institution, the Qaallu (men) or Qaallitti/Ayyaantu (women) are believed to be messengers of Waaqa because they are attached to the Ayyaana. The Qaalluu/Qaallitti serve as high ranked priests and ritual leaders that can officiate for Waqeffanna among the Oromo. There are a variety of myths on how the first Qaalluu (high priest) originated. While some believe they fell from the sky and others claim they were found with the first black cow, there is no consensus on their divine origin. The Qaalluu and Qaallitti are believed to be the guardians of the laws of Waaqa. They live and perform ritual activities (dalalga) in the traditional Oromo ritual hall that is known as Galma. A myriad of factors including seniority, acceptance in the community, moral qualification, social status and other leadership qualities are taken into consideration when a Qaalluu/Qaalliti is chosen.
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Waaqeffanna
Waaqeffanna is an ethnic religion indigenous to the Oromo people in the Horn of Africa as well as other Cushitic speaking peoples. The word Waaqeffanna, deriving from the word Waaqa, is the ancient name for Creator in various Cushitic languages including the Oromo people and Somali people. The followers of the Waaqeffanna religion are called Waaqeffataa and they believe in the supreme being Waaqa Tokkicha (the one God). It is estimated that about 23% of the Oromo population, which is 8,095,000 Oromos, in present-day Ethiopia actively practice this religion. Some put the number around 5,000,000, depending on how many subsets of the religion one includes. This number is still up for debate by many African religious scholars.
O wonder! O wonder! . . . The wonders are six:
The hornbill complains without being sick;
the plant flourishes without nourishment;
the water runs without being urged;
the earth is fixed without pegs;
the heavens hold themselves up without supports;
in the firmament He (God) has sown the chick-peas of heaven.
These things fill me with wonder. Let us all pray to God! O God, who hast caused me to pass the day cause me to pass the night well!
— The Waaqeffannaa song, in “The folk-literature of the Galla of Southern Abyssinia”
The main religious belief of Waaqeffanna is that Waaqa (the creator) is the creator of the universe and has many manifestations known as Ayyaana. The Ayyaana serve as intermediary spirits between Waaqa and his creations. The Ayyaana (spirits) are known to possess chosen men and women, who are then given the title Qallu and Qallitti respectively. All Uuma (creatures) are believed to be assigned an Ayyaana by Waaqa for guidance and protection.
Waaqeffataas live according to Safuu, the moral and legal principles that guide the interactions of humans with Waaqa. The breach of Safuu is regarded a sin and is condemned by Waaqa.
Waaqa is the supreme being and is omniscient, omni-benevolent and omnipotent. He is also just and loving. This supreme being is addressed through a variety of names in the different regions and many believe that the term Waaqa means 'the God with many names'. The Oromo people also use the term Waaqa Gurr'acha to address the creator, which translates as “Black(Gurracha)God'(Waaqa). The term is believed to indicate that Waaqa is the origin of everything, is mysterious and they are the one that can not be interfered with.
The Ayyaana are believed to be divinities that serve as messengers between Waaqa and their creations. The Ayyaana are not capable of creation but provide communication. They possess men and women and thus speak with the people. Different regions of Oromo hold varying beliefs and understandings of what the Ayyana (spirit) are capable of. While some argue that Ayyanna can't act alone without an order from Waaqa, others claim that the Ayyaana are able to directly affect all aspects of life. Waaqeffataas believe that all creations of Waaqa have their own assigned Ayyaana. The Ambo Oromo have identified several Ayyaanas by lineage and clan. There are power hierarchies within different Ayyaana. For example, the Ayyaana of a clan is stronger than the Ayyaana of a lineage which in turn is stronger than the Ayyana of an individual. It is very common for people to paint their skin with the local African bush species "aaasqaama". The followers will char this bush and cover their skin with the charred paint, to devote themselves to Iinqqaama.[failed verification]
The Qaalluu is an important institution in the Oromo religious and social system. It serves to protect the Oromo culture and tradition. Qaalluu is from the Oromiffa word qull, which translates as 'pure, holy, sacred, blameless, black'. In the Qaalluu institution, the Qaallu (men) or Qaallitti/Ayyaantu (women) are believed to be messengers of Waaqa because they are attached to the Ayyaana. The Qaalluu/Qaallitti serve as high ranked priests and ritual leaders that can officiate for Waqeffanna among the Oromo. There are a variety of myths on how the first Qaalluu (high priest) originated. While some believe they fell from the sky and others claim they were found with the first black cow, there is no consensus on their divine origin. The Qaalluu and Qaallitti are believed to be the guardians of the laws of Waaqa. They live and perform ritual activities (dalalga) in the traditional Oromo ritual hall that is known as Galma. A myriad of factors including seniority, acceptance in the community, moral qualification, social status and other leadership qualities are taken into consideration when a Qaalluu/Qaalliti is chosen.