As Meskerem (September) is the month that various religious and cultural festivals are celebrated, it is the most awaited season by various ethnic groups in Ethiopia.
And when Meskerem is just around the corner, Ethiopians start preparations to mark the festivals colorfully and warmly.
Meskel is one of the festivals marked by Ethiopians, mostly followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox and Catholic churches.
In addition to its religious aspect, this festival has a cultural aspect and is celebrated with uniquely in a manner reflecting both aspects.
Especially, among the people of Gurage, the Meskel festival has unique features. It is a time when those who moved from their homeland seeking a better life and residing in urban areas get back to their birthplace to celebrate the festival with their parents, friends, relatives, neighbors, and villagers. When they return to their birthplaces, they would not show up simply with empty hands, but with gifts and some duties to fulfill. Showing up with no gifts is like breaching the cultural values of their forefathers and parents. To fulfill these duties and expectations, thus they save money throughout the year, targeting Meskel.
And when the festival is approaching, they buy clothes for their parents, siblings, and the needy in the area as well as items that are needed to celebrate the festival.
Buying oxen or goats to their parents for Meskel is the other duty that the homecomers are expected to fulfill.
Women in Meskel have a greater role. They stock butter and enset (false banana) for Meskel. They prepare Kitfo (chopped meat), butter, kochoo (flat bread-like food made from enset and served with kitfo, as well as cabbage (Gomen). They also prepare coffee with butter.
There is also a day designated to only women- ‘Ye-setoch Meskel’. On this special day, women prepare ‘Ye-gomen kitfo’, ‘ kitfo’, and cheese, (Ayib).
The other important festival celebrated coinciding with the Meskel Festival by young boys and girls, is Adabna. According to documents, the word Adabna, derived from the Gurage language, is rooted in the rich history and cultural practices of the Gurage community, principally the Sodo Kestane community.
This cultural day is not only a celebration of the harvest season but also an opportunity to honor the community’s ancestors and the values they instilled. It is a time when families come together to reflect on their identity and heritage, reinforcing the bonds that unite them. Adabna is celebrated especially in the eastern part of Beth Gurage, (Soddo kistance, Dobbi).
According to Issayas Samuel, President of the Adabna Kestane Youth Association, the Adabna Festival is a special occasion marked colorfully each year, particularly among girls and young boys starting from Demera Day which is on the 26th of September to October 15. The program will be celebrated at marketplaces and churches warmly and colorfully.
“On this special event, it is common to see the boys and girls singing traditional guragegna music and dancing; adorned with traditional costumes singing songs,” he explained. This celebration holds significant value for young people and girls, as it serves as a favorable platform for them to choose their future spouses.
According to Issayas, in Gurage culture, during this festival, plans are made and commitments for a better future are renewed, family members plan together about future goals.
On this cultural festive, the sounds of traditional Gurage music fill the air, accompanied by lively dance performances that reflect the community’s joy and unity. These performances, often featuring colorful attire, showcase the unique rhythms and movements that are characteristic of Gurage culture.
Young girls and boys feel free from the control of their families to enjoy the festival. Hence, they can sing and dance freely, choose their mates for marriage, and share gifts with their partners and couples.
Food plays a central role in the Adabna celebrations and women are at the heart of culinary preparations, Dishes, such as gomen (cooked and chopped cabbage) and brundo (a type of stew), using locally sourced ingredients prepared. Sharing meals together symbolizes unity and strengthens familial ties, creating a festive atmosphere that resonates throughout the community.
During the festival dishes like raw meat, kitfo, gomen, kocho, ayib, and areki local alcohol drink, among others are part and parcel of the program. Various stews are prepared with care and love, highlighting the significance of food in uniting families and friends. The act of sharing meals during the festival symbolizes unity and community spirit. Women often lead the efforts to serve food, ensuring everyone feels welcomed and included.
As preparations begin for the Adabna Festival on Meskerem 18, young girls start their engagement rituals at home starting from Meskerem 12. This period is filled with excitement as the community anticipates the festivities. On the day of the festival, girls sing and dance to various traditional and unique Gurage songs, adding vibrant energy to the event. Young men participate in traditional sports, including jumping with sticks, showcasing their strength and agility.
According to him, Adabna is not only a celebration of culture but also a significant occasion for young couples. It is a day when girls get the opportunity to choose their future husbands, while young boys get engagement with their potential wives. This unique aspect of the festival fosters a sense of community and social cohesion, as families come together to witness these important life milestones.
Gurage women take the lead in preparing traditional dishes that are central to the Meskel celebration. Popular foods include injera, doro wat, and various stews that highlight the community’s agricultural bounty.
The act of sharing meals is a cornerstone of the Meskel Festival. Women organize communal feasts, inviting neighbors and friends to join in the celebrations. This practice fosters unity and strengthens community ties.
During Meskel, Gurage women play a pivotal role in cultural expression through music and dance. They perform traditional songs that narrate the history of their people, showcasing the richness of Gurage culture.
Women play a vital role in passing down cultural knowledge and practices to younger generations. In this regard, special events like Adabna and others play significant roles in reflecting cultural values. Through storytelling, music, and dance, they teach children about the values and history of the people, ensuring that their traditions are preserved.
Aside from house chores, many women engage in traditional crafts, creating beautiful textiles and handicrafts that are showcased during the festival. This not only highlights their artistic skills but also reinforces the importance of cultural identity.
Gurage women also have a significant role in organizing festival activities, from coordinating dance performances to managing logistics for communal gatherings. Their leadership ensures that the festival runs smoothly and successfully.
Spiritual leadership is the other role of women in the Kestane Sodo community. As some sources indicated, women are often engaged in spiritual observances during the Adabna Festival, leading prayers and rituals that honor ancestors and invoke blessings for the coming year. Their spiritual roles reinforce the values of respect and gratitude within the community. By embodying the spiritual and cultural values of the Sodo Kestane people, women serve as role models for younger generations, instilling a sense of pride in their heritage.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2024
