Oromo Indigenous Religion And Oromo Christianity

The early non-Oromo writers have distorted the history of the Oromo. Without scientific research, they were speaking of the so-called Oromo migration of the 16th century. Against the unscientific thesis, of the early scholars, this work confirmed the Oromo to be not only the indigenous African peoples, but also belong to the Cushitic Africans who invented the first world civilization. Their egalitarian and holistic culture, the gadaa system is part of the ancient Cushitic civilization. It is the base for modern democratic system of governance. The root word of 'gadaa' is originated from ‘Ka’, the creator God of the ancient religion of the Cushitic Africans. From this very name, Ka originated the Oromo word “Waaqa”, which also means creator of everything. This shows that the Oromo are among the first nations who came up with the idea of monotheism. Therefore, this work disqualifies the missionary assumptions describing the Oromo Indigenous Religion (OIR) as Satanism and its religious experts, the Qaalluus as witchdoctors or sorcerers. This dissertation discovered many identical, similar, partial similar and few differing elements between the Oromo Indigenous Religion (OIR) and Oromo Christianity (OC). Also, the study identified many Oromo cultural elements that are compatible to Christianity, therefore must be adopted by the Oromo Christianity. According modern scholarship God revealed himself in every human culture and religion is part of human culture. Therefore, no religion can claim to be “the only true religion”. Based on this principle, this dissertation calls all leaders of religious institutions in Oromia, to change their attitude, develop culture of tolerance, conduct constructive religious dialogue, create the atmosphere of peaceful coexistence of all religions and establish sustainable peace that serves humanity.

First full-length history of the Oromo 1300-1700; explains their key part in the medieval Christian kingdom and demonstrates their importance in shaping Ethiopian history.

Master's Thesis from the year 2009 in the subject Theology - Miscellaneous, grade: Pass, , course: Final Research paper, language: English, abstract: This research paper is about the contextualization of the Gospel among the Oromo of Showa in Ethiopia. It deals with the culture and language of the people and how gospel contextualization is possible through the culture and language of the given people. It studies the Showa Oromo clan for reference purpose but its principles are applicable to any culture and can be a lesson for anyone who aims at evangelization through the culture and language. The research paper consists of three parts including the introductory part. The first part of the research consists of a brief description and analysis of the Showa Oromo and how the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) failed in here evangelization strategy because of the unawareness of the cultural conditionings of the gospel and inability to preach in the language of the Showa Oromo. This part elucidates the failure of the EOC from different angles and explains that the failure of the EOC is the failure of the other churches too since all belong to the one body of Christ. As a remedy, this section forwards the importance of ecumenism and partnering between the EOC and the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) as a tool to learn from one another and engage in mission together. The second part introduces the role of the EECMY in contextualizing the gospel to the Showa Oromo through the language and culture of the people. The EECMY contextualized the gospel to the culture of the people making points of contact already found in the traditional Showa Oromo faith. Here the research explains the role of the EECMY in contextualizing the Irreechaa/Showa Oromo thanksgiving into Biblical Christianity. The EECMY used traditional name of god/Waaqayyo in evangelizing the people, which helped the people to come to Christ. The EECMY also gave the people the Bible in their language by contextualizing some pre-Christian Showa Oromo terms into evangelical Christianity and using the words in translation. This section also explains how the EECMY used native language in preaching and teaching the people. The EECMY’s incarnational ministry that involved holistic approach is also explained in detail. The third section of the paper deals with the missiology of the Lutheran Church because the EECMY, which this paper explains about, is a Lutheran in tradition and heritage. Here the role of the EECMY in mission and the Lutheran mission theories are elucidated. [...]

The study of indigenous religions has become an important academic field, particularly since the religious practices of indigenous peoples are being transformed by forces of globalization and transcontinental migration. This book will further our understanding of indigenous religions by first considering key methodological issues related to defining and contextualizing the religious practices of indigenous societies, both historically and in socio-cultural situations. Two further sections of the book analyse cases derived from European contexts, which are often overlooked in discussion of indigenous religions, and in two traditional areas of study: South America and Africa.

This book analyzes the development of indigenous religious, commercial, and political institutions among the Oromo mainly during the relatively peaceful two centuries in its history, from 1704 to 1882. The largest ethnic group in East Africa, the Oromo promoted peace, cultural assimilation, and ethnic integration.

ETHIOPIA is a compendium on Ethiopia and Northeast Africa for travellers, students, businessmen, people interested in Africa, policymakers and organisations. In this book 85 specialists from 15 countries write about the land of our fossil ancestor `Lucy', about its rock-hewn churches and national parks, about the coexistence of Christians and Muslims, and about strange cultures, but also about contemporary developments and major challenges to the region. Across ten chapters they describe the land and people, its history, cultures, religions, society and politics, as well as recent issues and unique destinations, documented with tables, maps, further reading suggestions and photos.

A comprehensive exploration and analysis of the Oromo who although mostly living in Ethiopia also form a significant part of the modern republic of Kenya. Based on several years of fieldwork, research into historical archives, and collections of oral narratives, the work will be of interest to all students and academics studying the peoples of East Africa and their cultural, political and national identity. Particular attention is paid to ritual and religious aspects of Oromo life.