Indigenous Oromo Religion The Case of Noolee Kaabbaa District, West Wallaggaa, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study deals with practices in Oromoo indigenous religion, focusing on Noolee Kaabaa District in west Wallagaa, Ethiopia. The Oromoo people have rich cultural practices embedded under the Gadaa system. The indigenous practices of Maccaa Oromoo of Dilaa Koobii Warqee at Noolee Kaabbaa district estimated to have been intact for over 267 years. Ulaa bahuu, ifa bahuu and dhugaa bahuu are among the major components of rituals undertaken in the indigenous religion. The entire family members of followers of the religion and all their living animals are required to visit the shrine center to have blessing, good fortune and reconciliation with Waaqaa (God). Clay pots such as, siilettii ixxaanaa and siilettii qumbii are the necessary materials for abbaa ayyaanaa (the one who holds sprit). Observing every activity of the ceremony, the abbaa ayyaanaa announces to the follower that this year is a blessed or bad one, depending on the situation. If good, the followers give thanks and if not they continue praying to Waaqaa (God) to have solution for the problems. However, the astonishing practices in the religion of the Maccaa Oromoo of the study area had drastically diminished during the imperial and Dreg periods. The data for this research were collected using qualitative approach. The research involved analyzing primary and secondary sources comparing them it with the oral traditions