Religious Sformation Among the Arsi Oromo of Ethiopia Gemechu J. Geda
PILGRIMAGES AND SYNCRETISM: RELIGIOUS TRANSFORMATION AMONG THE ARSI OROMO OF ETHIOPIA GEMECHU J. GEDA A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES FACULTY O F CULTURAL STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF BAYREUTH GERMANY 23 SEPTEMBER 2013 SUMMARY Currently, the majority of the Arsi Oromo are either Muslims or Christians. However, most of them still practice their traditional beliefs passed down through generations by their forefathers, such as Waaqeffannaa , and attend various rituals related to it . Waaqeffannaa is a religion based on belief in one God known to the Oromo as Waaqa , which according to the Oromo is the creator of the entire universe. The Oromo belief of the existence of Waaqa is based on observing what they call his works, such as the presence of various seasons, rain, sun, darkness, growing of crops, existence of water bodies, mountains, trees and other living things. Contrary to Christianity, Islam, and other religions, Waaqeffannaa does not require the construction of religious houses for the veneration of Waaqa or for thanking him for his good deeds. Instead, the Oromo who are followers of Waaqeffannaa thank Waaqa by travelling to natural physical bodies such as rivers, lakes, forests, and mountains, which they believe are created by Waaqa himself. Waaqeffannaa is believed to be a free will religion, where a believer does not need to calculate in order to obtain certain advantages, such as going to heaven in the afterlife for adhering to Waaqa . To the same effect, a believer would not face some kind of punishment for abandoning Waaqa .
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