Sodo through Shashamane and other small villages.
The vibe in Sodo was different. People were seen excited to welcome New Year which was a little late than Ethiopian New Year. Different form the rest of other states in the country Woliata peoples’ New Year is usually celebrated on Meskel.
When speaking of the Wolita people what comes first is their hospitality. Whether from distant places or close by areas they welcome strangers saying ‘Hashshu Saro Yiidetta’ which is a warm welcoming wish. In Wolita’s culture any visitor is welcomed with Honey and Milk and Fruits.
Sodo town has 3 sub cities and lower administrative units it had a census-projected population of 111,659 with 48% female.
The next morning the Giffata symposium was opened by the Woliata Zone Administration Administrator Dagato Kumbe in the city’s culture hall. Respective guests and representatives from the 9 state administrations and elders from neighboring states conveyed their warm wishes and blessings at the symposium. Various research and studies on the history, culture and language of the Woliata people were presented by scholars from Wolaita Sodo University.
The Woliata traditional music groups lent the event a colorful vibe, when they took stage with melodious cultural instruments of ‘zeye zheche’. Zeye Zeche is a long wind instrument made of bamboo and goat skin. The group players were composed of seven members, five wind instrument players’ one drummer and one female dancer.
Cultural dance of ‘Haya Leke’ was also performed by group of traditional dancers. The dance did create amusement for the audience as the women displayed a grooving by moving their waist round, while the male jumped up to almost touch the celling leaning on hand-held long bamboo sticks.
Exhibitions and bazaars that showcase the different types of food, dressing style, historical and traditional tools of the different tribes and their equipment used in ancient times, developmental works of cities and subscities under the Wolita zone was also prepared at the Sodo stadium.
On the morrow that was Saturday morning a 10 Km run was held on a theme ‘I run for Giffta ‘which was attended by 10 thousands residents from different age groups and gender mix.’
Herald had approached and had a short stay with two tourists among the participants on the run. Nate Ross and his wife Sharol both from the US had lived one year in indifferent parts of the country Arbaminch Hawassa until they settled in Sodo. They seem to enjoy and get used to living in Sodo. Sharol tries a little Amharic which afforded the other runners a little bit amusement. Nate said that “I think Ethiopia is very different from the rest of African countries. The entire culture is different. I’ve been to different parts of the country. I’ve been to Arbaminch, Hawassa and Shashamane. I have experienced the diverse culture and it is beautiful. Most of all I like the lakes and the beautiful birds. My favorite cultural dish is Shekela Tibs(a live fried meat) by far.”
His wife Sharol on her part commented on the salubriousness of Sodo’s weather. “The weather is amazing here” she said “I am glad to be here and participate on the running event and I am excited to celebrate Giffata as well. The people are very kind hospitable. I would like to wish the Woliata people ‘yoyo Giffata’ (happy new year in Wolaita language). Sharol also expressed her plans to visit Lalibela and Semien mountains and many other tourist sites on further plans.”
On Sunday, the big event ‘Giffata Festival’took place at the stadium packed with congregants. On the event cattle slaughtering culture was conducted along with the torching of a Bon fire.
Elders gave blessings and passed their warm wishes and called for national reconciliation and healing. On the occasion Elder Ayele Ade said ‘Giffata’ is a name given to the first Ethiopian month (Meskerem) September. “ If the first born child happens to be a male he is often named ‘gifato’.If it happens to be female she will goes by ‘giffate’ which means premier. Giffata is also a solidarity and forgiveness holiday where unity is preached and enemies reconcile brushing aside their differences.
“Traditional assets such as Giffata plays a huge role in ensuring peace and unity especially at a time like these where displacements and other disintegration are witnessed in the country,” noted Ayele
Representing Hawassa elders another Elder Yonas Fantahun said “Giffta is a bridge that brings together all from near and far. “Giffta is a symbolic holiday for peace that even the divorced would celebrate together. This year using Giffta as a tool we will preach peace and unity more. We need unity more now than ever and the government, together with citizens, should work more to brush aside divisions and unite the people in the New Year.”.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday edition October 20/2019
