Hora and Cattle Owners of Maccaa Oromo in Ethiopia: an Analysis from Folkloric Perspective

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.

Natural mineral spring water (hora) and surrounding soils in southwestern Ethiopia: farmers’ feeding practices and their perception about its nutritional roles on animal performance

“…This could be due to farmers' perceptions that hora mineral water increases milk yield and improves fertility (sexual desire). This result was supported by the finding of Edae et al [ 8 ] who reported that hora increases milk yields, heifers' oestrous manifestation and bulls’ libido.…”

“…During the rainy season, hora mineral water gets polluted by floods and decreases in quality. In accordance with this result, Edae et al [ 8 ] reported that supplementation of hora mineral water takes place regularly during the spring season. Before the rainy season, farmers believed that supplementing hora mineral water cleans the gut of animals and helps them to efficiently consume the lush grass during the upcoming rainy season.…”

“…A majority of the farmers in Boracha and Dabo districts practiced daily supplementation with hora due to easy access to horas over short distances ( Table 4 ). Edae et al [ 8 ] also reported that livestock drink at hora sites twice annually (during the spring and winter seasons). In contrast to the present findings, Zeleke et al [ 10 ] and Desalegn and Mohammed [ 28 ] reported that mineral soils were supplemented to sheep on a weekly basis in the Humbo district, and both mineral water and soils were supplemented to camels on a monthly basis in the Jijgjiga district, respectively.…”

“…The word “ hora ” literally translates as “water discharged from underground”. Hora sites are found in different Ethiopian regions including Bale, West Shawa, Ilu Aba Bora, Buno Bedele and East Wollega districts [ 7 , 8 ]. Additionally, Chiodi [ 9 ] identified about 47 horas in Bale Mountain National Park and the Harenna Forest, which are located in separate, smaller districts.…”

“…Additionally, Chiodi [ 9 ] identified about 47 horas in Bale Mountain National Park and the Harenna Forest, which are located in separate, smaller districts. Hora water or soil consumption is thought to enhance feed intake and fattening, milk yields, milk fat content, increase fertility, and provide ethno-veterinary medicinal properties [ 8 , 10 ]. Furthermore, local communities use hora mineral water for livestock and mineral supplementation and a honeybee attractant – the latter by painting traditional beehives with mineral soil found around horas (Local farmer, personal communication 2022).…”