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The Oromo people follow a religious faith called in Afan Oromo (Oromo language) Waqeffanna. Waqa is the almighty God who created the universe, all living creatures and the sky. They symbolize their God as Waqa Gurraacha (the Black God). Black signifies undiscoverable object, innocence, fairness, openness and the like. In relation to this, they claim Oromoo garaan gurraacha (Oromo’s belly is black) to note that the Oromo are innocent people. There are different ways through which the Oromo ritualize their religion. For instance, Irrecha (river side thanks giving ceremony) is among the leading ones. The Oromo residing in different parts of the Oromia zones make pilgrimage towards Lake Hora Arsade once a year and attend the Irrecha ritual observance. Besides Irrecha, other systems of celebration like Waaqa Sanyi, Dhibaayyu, Ateetee, and so on are occasionally conducted as part and parcel of their belief system. According to the famous Oromo Gada Institution, at the time of the traditional Oromo power transfer, Qaallu is an Oromo priest who performs the anointment program. He plays a leading role in all ceremonies together with the principal Abba Bokku (the leader). This ritual expert, Qaallu, participates in the war that breaks between the Oromo people and their neighbors. The Oromo and their traditional hostile groups believe that Qaallu has a special religious power to expel non Oromo fighters from its territory. Today, majority of the Oromo people accepted the Islamic religion. Some are Protestants while others are Coptic Christians. Many of them do not clearly understand the very ideas of these religions doctrine but juxtapose between them and their tradition. Of course, there are few who internalized doctrines of religions other than that of their forefather and even reached the stage of leadership. |
