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Oromo religion

From: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Fields/2379/oreligion.html

In the pre-colonial Oromo society, the core of Oromo social, economic, political, philosophical, and spiritual life was a holistic institution known as Gada.
Under Gadaa, Oromos believed in Waaq (God). Waaq is one as a supreme being, but It is also many as ayyaana. Ayyaana exist in everybody and everything in the universe. In Oromo religion, Waaq creates and regulates the existence of all animate and inanimate, material and non-material nature and places them in a well-balanced cosmic order.

As an extension of this phenomenon, Oromos believe that society collapses unless a balance is struck between female and male, young and old, spiritual and physical power in the cosmic order of Waaq’s wisdom. The interdependence of the dominant and the liminal is considered a precondition for peace and prosperity in both metaphysical and practical sense.

Oromos refer to this concept of peace and order of Waaq as safuu. Safuu is extremely important in Oromo religious and political thought. If the balance is disturbed, it is said that safuu is lost. The loss of safuu is the loss of seera Waaq (Waaq’s law and order). The loss of safuu signals the reign of chaos and disaster.

Thus, Waaq is the source and the course of everything simultaneously. Waaq is the beginning and end, one and many, infinite and infinitesimal all at the same time. Waaq exists in everything and everything exists in It. Waaq is the fabric that weaves the past, the present and the future. This philosophical, political and religious thought of the Oromo is embodied in their emblem, the Faajjii Walaabuu. Faajjii Walaabuu is a tricolour emblem with white, red, and white hues.

The white is the past, the ancestors, the bones, the ashes. White is the past, the bones that remain behind when life flickers out. White is the ashes that remain when the fire is out. White is the ancestors. The red is the present, the living, the here and now. Red is flesh. Red is the blood that rushes through our veins. Red is the living fire. Red is the present. The black is the future. Black is the unknown and the unknowable. Black is the spirit, the soul. Black is Waaq (God). Black is holy and sacred. Thus, in the three colors of Faajjii Walaabuu, Waaq weaves together the past, the present and the future; the bones, the flesh and the soul.

Contemporary Oromo society, however, is a multi-faith society. Although there is little doubt that Oromos have pursued many paths into the spiritual world, the three major religious thoughts claiming the vast majority of Oromos are Islam, Christianity, and Oromo religion. Quite often religion has been a highly sensitive and divisive issue in our communities. We need a positive space where de do not fight over ideas but share them respectfully. This page is hoped to be a space where Oromos of all faith groups share views, experiences, and co-ordinate activities .

Please go to RELIGION cand contact the people who