Abstract:
This research dealt with hora (salty mineral water) and its ritualistic aspect among the Maccaa
Oromo. It aims at exploring the hora (salty mineral water) and its ritualistic contents in social and natural
environments of the Maccaa Oromo. The study areas were purposively selected based on its historical
background and valuable information related with hora obaasuu and its ritual and there are some hora
sites in West Shawa zone. Accordingly 13 respondents from three Aanaas (districts) participated in the
study. The respondents were purposively selected depending on their age and experience in using the
hora. This study revealed that the major hora used by the Maccaa Oromo were hora Sanqallee, hora
Amboo, hora Weessoo, hora Gur’uu Fadii, hora Bilandoo and hora Baaduu. According to the Maccaa
Oromo’s world view, hora (mineral water) is believed as clean and as extraordinary water with the
purifying and curing power. However most of these horas and ritual which attached to them are being
changed and under mind as well as they are being replaced by alien culture due to globalization spirit and
its associative factors such as the introduction of foreign religion, modernization and bio medical drugs on
cultural mix. So it is needed to conserve this natural resource with its cultural elements since hora is the
indicator of indigenous people’s investigation, belief system, wisdom, philosophy and culture.
