Indigenous cultural practices of the oromo in shekota guumaa islamic shrine center and its environs in guumaay district of jimma zone

Abstract

Islamic shrines are not only religious places, but are also important depositors of the preIslamic cultures of the indigenous societies. They are also the important heritages which help to know changes and continuities of cultural elements of indigenous society. This research paper has been conducted to examine indigenous cultural practices of the Oromo in Shekota Guumaa Islamic Shrine center and its environs (Waarukkoo and Abiyyoo Booree) in Guumaay District of Jimma zone. Some of the pre-Islamic Oromo cultural and ritual traditions are practicing integrated with some Islamic religion practices and preserved in the three shrine sites. However, because of the influences from some Islamic reformists, the current circumstances of the shrines are not suitable and cultural practices are in danger. The information was obtained by interview, participant observation, group discussion and document analysis