Behind a great skill lies an even greater story. This is the case with the Waata community who go by several names, including Waat, Watha, and Sanye. Despite the myriad of names used to address them, one key characteristic that everyone seems to agree on is their hunting prowess, and the story of how the Waata became renowned for this skillset is an extraordinary tale.
Hadithi hadithi?
Long ago, there lived a man whose name was Wayyuu Banoo. Wayyuu was well known among the Waata for the large herd of cattle he possessed. One day, a stranger visited the village and Wayyuu decided to flex his financial muscle. As the two men were playing the local version of the game of checkers, Wayyuu challenged the stranger to a wealth contest.
Unbeknownst to Wayyuu the visiting stranger was none other than Waaqa, the Oromo sky-god, who was infuriated by Wayyuu’s arrogance. As punishment, the sky-god annihilated Wayyuu’s entire cattle stock save for one billy goat.
Upon realizing how his haughtiness had cost him, this rich stockowner immediately apologized and asked Waaqa for assistance. His repentant nature moved Waaqa to forgiveness, and the sky-god even blessed him with the crafting skills required to make a bow and poisoned arrows. After imparting this artistry on Wayyuu, the sky-god asked him to sacrifice his last remaining billy goat, which he did. This act of selflessness was rewarded with impeccable hunting skills that have flowed down from one generation to the next. For centuries, this community used this gift to live off the land as hunters and gatherers.
For the Waata, hunting is a divine gift and wild animals (bineensa) are a cherished gift from Waaqa. Every year, they commemorate Wayyuu Banoo’s encounter with the sky-god by sacrificing a billy goat. This event is laced with song and dance as the community looks back to a time when these animals were their main source of food.