HOLAWAKA The mythical bird sent by god to tell the Galla of Ethiopia that they would not die. Holowaka was to say that when men found themselves growing weak and old, they were to slip off their skins and become young again. On the way, however, the bird met a snake who was devouring the carcass of a dead animal. The snake promised to share the meal with the bird if Holowaka would tell him its message. The bird altered the message, saying that 'man will grow old and die, but snakes will shed their skins and become young again.'