Waaq

Waaq (also Waq or Waaqa) is the name for the sky God in the Cushitic languages of both the Oromo people and Somali people in the Horn of Africa.[1][2][3] The word still means God in present Oromo language. Some traditions indicate Waaq is associated with the Harar region.[4]

In Oromo and Somali culture, Waaq, Waaqa or Waaqo was the name of God in their pre-Christian and pre-Muslim monotheistic faith believed to have been adhered to by Cushitic groups. It was likely brought to the Horn by the speakers of the Proto-Cushitic language who arrived from North Sudan in the Neolithic.[2] In modern times, the religion has mostly declined ever since the arrival of Islam and Christianity.

This name for God was used mainly by Somali people and Oromo people before and after Christianity and Islam came to the Horn of Africa

There are also ancient names of villages which involve the word (WAAQ) in the Somali language and also Oromo language.

See also

References

  1. Thomas, Douglas; Alanamu, Temilola (2018-12-31). African Religions: Beliefs and Practices through History. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-61069-752-1.
  2. Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi, Culture and Customs of Somalia, (Greenwood Publishing Group: 2001), p.65.
  3. Samatar, Said S. "Unhappy masses and the challenge of political Islam in the Horn of Africa". Horn of Africa. 20: 1–10.
  4. Mohamed-Abdi, Mohamed (1992). Histoire des croyances en Somalie : Religions traditionnelles et religions du Livre. Annales Littéraires de l'Université de Besançon. Vol. 465. doi:10.3406/ista.1992.2545. ISBN 978-2-251-60465-7.

Further reading

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