Pre-Abrahamic monotheistic Somali/HOA religion

[juzme123]

I posted this a while back in the Oasis but it seems more suitable here....


I've been reading into Somali/Oromo mythology and religion and it seems that the people of this region have been practicing a pre-Abrahamic monotheistic religion.

In particular I am referring to the ancient Oromo/Somali religion known as "Waaqeffannaa". This is a monotheistic religion where they believe in "Waaq" (meaning God). I am sure the Oromos on these boards can tell us a lot more about this religion since some (Oromos) still follow it.

But interestingly Somalis also before the arrival of Islam (~7th century) believed in Waaq and till this day there are a lot of terms and words in Somali language, culture, folklore and fables that have words that relate to this ancient religion (Waaqeffannaa) e.g. "barwaaqo" (& more that i'm probably unaware of). There are also Somali towns and cities that relate to this religion such as the town of Caabudwaaq (literally meaning "worship waaq), Ceel-waaq (well of Waaq); however this may or may not, and I emphasize that this is only a possibility, be linked to the the Somali expansion Southwards meaning that these places might have previously have been inhabited by Oromos. Having said that, this may be discredited by the evidence of the great Oromo expansion to the north & west from around Lake Tana (14th-15 centuries) after the (muslim/Somali) Adal Empire and the Habesha Abyssinian Empire weakened eachother and that Somalis have actually inhabited regions before being pushed back by Oromos. (But I am digressing).

I am also aware (I remember having read about at least one other) of other ethnic groups in the HOA region who practice such monotheistic religions, in particular one similar to Islam.

Interestingly enough Afaan Oromo (Oromo language) would unlock so much of the Somali mythology/fables/language. Interesting stuff.

[juzme123]

Waaqeffannaa (Literally: "Believe in one god.") (Oromo) Religion

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.

Contemporary Oromo society, however, is a multi-faith society. Oromos have pursued many paths into the spiritual world, the three major religious thoughts claiming the vast majority of Oromos are Islam, Christianity, and Waaqeffannaa (Oromo) religion.

Read more: http://www.meta-religion.com/World_R...#ixzz1wloISeii

[juzme123]

Here is some background information, as I said some really interesting and fascinating stuff.

Somali mythology covers the beliefs, myths, legends and folk tales circulating in Somali society that were passed down to new generations in a timeline spanning several millennia. Many of the things that constitute Somali mythology today are traditions whose accuracy have faded away with time or have transformed considerably with the coming of Islam to the Horn of Africa.

The culture of venerating saints and the survival of several religious offices in modern Somalia show that old traditions of the region's ancient past had a significant impact on Somali Islam and Somali literature in later centuries. Similarly, practitioners of traditional Somali medicine and astronomy also adhere to remnants of an old cultural belief system that once flourished in Somalia and the wider Horn region.

The Somali people in pre-Islamic times are believed to have adhered to a complex monotheistic belief system, with a set of deities superseded by a single all-powerful figure called Eebe (God, also known as Waaq).

Beliefs:

Eebe (God)

Eebe is the Somali word for God and was synonymously used for the ancient word for God (Waaq). According to Somali Legend Eebe lived in the Heavens and whenever the people (nomadic) successfully prayed for rain it was known as Barwaaqo(God's rain).

Ayaanle (Angels)

The Ayaanle in Ancient Somalia were known as the good spirits and acted as mediators between God and humans. They were said to be bringers of luck and blessings

Huur (Reaper)

Huur was the messenger of Death and had the form of a large bird. The deity was akin to Horus of ancient Egypt and played a similar role in Somali society.

Nidar (Punisher)

Nidar was the righter of wrong. He was considered the champion of those that were exploited by their fellow humans. The deity has survived in modern Somalia as a popular saying; Nidar Ba Ku Heli ("Nidar will find and punish you")

[juzme123]

Waaqeffannaa (Literally: "Believe in one god.") (Oromo) Religion

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.

Contemporary Oromo society, however, is a multi-faith society. Oromos have pursued many paths into the spiritual world, the three major religious thoughts claiming the vast majority of Oromos are Islam, Christianity, and Waaqeffannaa (Oromo) religion.

Read more: http://www.meta-religion.com/World_R...#ixzz1wloISeii

[talya]

Interesting topic bro.Waag waa God ruuntaada waaye waaye magalada caabuduwaaq micnaheeda waa Caabud-Waag.i have always been curious and how Somalia suddenly have lost her Monotheist relegion.waxaan maqlin jirey sheekada Caroweylo ama Arawelo oo eheyd 2000 oo sano kaa hor so i asume that she also was a follower of this religion.

[Sideway]

Originally Posted by talya

I have always been curious and how Somalia suddenly have lost her Monotheist relegion.waxaan maqlin jirey sheekada Caroweylo ama Arawelo oo eheyd 2000 oo sano kaa hor so i asume that she also was a follower of this religion.

I think that because we were already monotheistic, the great religion of Islam was compatible with our held beliefs somewhat. Ilaahay baan ku mahdinaa xikmaddii awoowyaasheen ey diinta suuban ku qaateen.