Higelibona and Wàqeffannà: Native Faith Systems of the Cushitic Peoples of Ethiopia
By Fayyis Oromia*
Many of us mistakenly believe that Orthodox Christianity is indigenous to Ethiopia, while Protestant Christianity is seen as a recent addition (commonly referred to as mexe hayimanot). In truth, both Christianity and Islam are imported religions. The original, native faith systems of this ancient land are the Agaw’s Higelibona and the Oromo’s Wàqeffannà.
True Ethiopians must revive and promote these spiritual traditions as the foundation of our Cushitic Ethiopian identity. Just as Judaism is central to Israelite identity and Islam to Arab identity, Higelibona and Wàqeffannà are the true religious identities of Ethiopians. Of course, just as there are Christian Arabs and Israelis, there can be Christian and Muslim Ethiopians. But we must remain conscious that Higelibona and Wàqeffannà are our original and indigenous faith systems, integral to the heritage of Cushitic Ethiopia.
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2016/05/0 ... -system-2/