A RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM OF GUMMA, SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Abstract The thesis deals with the religious history of the kingdom of Gumma from ca.1800 to 1991. Attempts have been made to unearth a history of the three major religions, namely the Oromo traditional religion (waaqqeffanna), Islam and Christianity. Apparently the native religion practiced in the kingdom of Gumma as in other Oromo regions was waqqeffanna, which is based on belief of one waaqa tokkicha or waaqaaguraacha, the Gumma Oromo perceive that the color of waaqa is black. According to Gumma Oromo traditional religion the term Waaqa has two different meanings, the first meaning refers to the sky which stands without pillars and the second meaning denotes a creator of everything’s on the earth. Qaaluu was a spiritual leader who was a high priest of the Oromo traditional religion possessed by Ayana. A number of Qaaluus have existed in the kingdom of Gumma. The second major religion and of course the dominant religion in the Gibe region nowadays is Islam. Muslim merchants and sheikhs had played a pivotal role in the introduction of Islam to the kingdom. It is apparent that the kings of Gumma played a great role in the expansion of Islam in their kingdom. Apparently the Muslim teachers and preachers did not successfully spread the religion to the common people had it not been for the consent of the kings of Gumma. Christianity is the third major religion prevailed in the kingdom of Gumma. Most probably its introduction to the region dates back to the time of Ennäryä. It seems that the kingdom of Ennãryã was converted to Christianity during the time of Sarsa Dengel (1563-1597. Evangelical Christianity has been introduced to the region recently .But individuals from the Gumma kingdom especially those who were sold as slaves during the19th century played the role of champion in Bible translation project. Roofu was the first Gumma Oromo who began the Bible translation project. In doing so, he laid foundation for Onesimos and Aster, who came to the scene after one generation. Christian Roofu of the kingdom of Gumma had received different failed of studies under local teachers, such as Geopraphy, Mathematics and Theology, Relevant historical methodology was employed to carry out this study.For instance, Oral informants found in four woredas (that constituted the foremer Gumma territories) were interviwed to get reliable information and the oral information was crosschecked with available written sources.