Waaqeffanna is an ethnic religion indigenous to the Oromo people in the Horn of Africa as well as other Cushitic speaking peoples. The word Waaqeffanna, deriving from the word Waaqa, is the ancient name for Creator in various Cushitic languages including the Oromo people and Somali people. The followers of the Waaqeffanna religion are called Waaqeffataa and they believe in the supreme being (the one God). It is estimated that about 23% of the Oromo population, which is 8,095,000 Oromos, in present-day Ethiopia actively practice this religion. Some put the number around 5,000,000, depending on
Waaqeffanna is an ethnic religion indigenous to the Oromo people in the Horn of Africa as well as other Cushitic speaking peoples. The word Waaqeffanna, deriving from the word Waaqa, is the ancient name for Creator in various Cushitic languages including the Oromo people and Somali people. The followers of the Waaqeffanna religion are called Waaqeffataa and they believe in the supreme being (the one God). It is estimated that about 23% of the Oromo population, which is 8,095,000 Oromos, in present-day Ethiopia actively practice this religion. Some put the number around 5,000,000, depending on how many subsets of the religion one includes. This number is still up for debate by many African religious scholars.
== Belief == thumb|Irreechaa celebration at Lake Harsadii The main religious belief of Waaqeffanna is that Waaqa (the creator) is the creator of the universe and has many manifestations known as Ayyaana. The Ayyaana serve as intermediary spirits between Waaqa and his creations. The Ayyaana (spirits) are known to possess chosen men and women, who are then given the title Qallu and Qallitti respectively. All (creatures) are believed to be assigned an Ayyaana by Waaqa for guidance and protection.
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