Waaq

Biography

Waaq (also Waaqa) is the supreme deity in traditional Borana-Oromo religion, the omnipotent sky god who created the universe and governs all life. The Borana, one of the largest Oromo sub-groups in Kenya, maintain a rich monotheistic tradition centered on Waaq worship that predates both Islam and Christianity in the Horn of Africa. Waaq is understood as an all-seeing, all-knowing force that exists in the sky and manifests through natural phenomena such as rain, thunder, lightning, and the changing seasons. The Borana do not create physical representations of Waaq; he is a purely spiritual entity worshipped through prayer, sacrifice, and adherence to the moral law (safuu). The concept of safuu — cosmic order, moral balance, and natural harmony — is central to Borana theology. When humans violate safuu through injustice, violence, or environmental destruction, Waaq punishes the community through drought, disease, and conflict. The Borana Gada system, one of the most sophisticated democratic governance systems in Africa (recognized by UNESCO in 2016), is rooted in Waaq theology, as the Gada leaders are seen as administering divine law. Waaq worship continues among traditional Borana in Marsabit, Isiolo, and Moyale counties, even as many have converted to Islam or Christianity.