Ethiopia is home to numerous ancient peoples of Horn Africa. The Shinasha ethnic group of the Benishangul-Gumuz state is one of the over 80 ethnic groups in the country. Shinasha has unique cultural, economic and social practices that distinguish them from other ethnic groups of the region. Particularly, their New Year festivity or Gaaro-Woro(in local language) is a notable one.
In the Shinasha public festivity and cultural occasions, including that of Gaaro-Woro, all members of the society including youths and children, men and women, and the elderly actively take part. In fact, all members of society are the main actors of the festivals.
The majority of the Shinasha are followers of The Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Their New Year celebration also coincides with the Meskel Celebration of the Orthodox Church, an annual religious holiday in which the faithful commemorates the discovery of the True Cross.
The New Year ceremony starts and culminates with a series of performances, entertainment, rites and rituals that are observed by members of the ethnic group and other guests of the event. Through this festival, the values, and beliefs of the Shinasha are demonstrated and give meaning to the social, cultural and religious life of the people.
Habtamu Taye, Spokesperson of Benishangul Gumuz State and member of Shinasha ethic group said Gaaro-Waroo is one of the Shinasha people’s celebrations that are marked warmly and colorfully.
The preparation for the celebration begins two months prior to the actual holiday, he said. The festivity marks the turning point for the beginning of the New Year throughout the community. The people celebrate the New Year festivals in September at a time when the crop from the previous year is harvested.
The festival is always celebrated at a specific place which is blessed by elders. During the celebration, participants pray for forgiveness for last year’s iniquity and offer thanksgiving for all blessings.
“For members, taking part in the celebration without resolving personal disputes is prohibited as New Year festivity is part of forgiveness. It has also the purpose of preventing further conflicts among members of the community.”
The festivity helps the Shinasha to promote peace and harmony in the society, prevent disputes and other societal problems. It is also an opportunity for collective prayer for peace.
According to him, what makes the Shinasha New Year unique is that it is inclusive. “All members of the Shinasha, irrespective of sex and age, and members of other ethnic groups take part in the celebration without discrimination.”
On the actual day celebration, the crowd gather at one place and wish that the New Year will be peaceful and prosperous. The ceremony announced by selected elders of the clan, dancing, and singing of Gaaro songs with the traditional drums accompanied by all types of cultural musical instruments heard throughout the day, Habtamu added.
Then the community takes part in colorful cultural dances and songs about the New Year. Then, as the celebration has both social and religious features, the elders give blessings and urge the community to keep the social values and beliefs.
According to Spokesperson, the Gaaro celebration is different from other festivities as it enables all community groups to participate in cultural dancing called Gaucho, in the local language. The festivity serves as a tool to transform cultural traditions and values to future generations.
During the celebration, the people prepare special meals, cultural food, and drinks for all participants. The Shinasha community far and near would come back to their relatives’ homes.
Moreover, the festival creates opportunities for youths to choose their future marriage partners. Throughout the songs, youths make chains by putting their hands on each other’s shoulders and make circles with two females sitting inside to produce and coordinate the songs and drum beats.
Gaaro is a truly social and cultural way of life beyond New Year festival; it is the binding and unifying factor, a sign of tolerance, friendship, love and respect to each other among Shinasha communities and with other ethnic groups of the state.
Nowadays, the festival is organized by Boro-Shinasha Development Association, Boro-Shinasha Nationality Council in various districts of the State of BenishangulGumuz State and some volunteer groups.
The Gaaro festival is currently growing and expanding every year, the issue of Gaaro and the rich cultural traditions of the people are becoming the concern of all Shinasha individuals to do a good job to promote, keep and preserve it. All concerned bodies have a responsibility to promote, expand and preserve these rich cultural values to contribute in all aspects.
Meskiya Adema, Benishangul Gumuz State Culture and Tourism Bureau Head said that the state is home to different ethnic groups. As each is rich in its own distinct cultural features, the state has enormous potential for cultural tourism.
But, for long, due attention has not been given to promoting diverse cultural features. In recent years, this trend is changing for good and there have been efforts to promote the cultural festivities such as the Garoo-Waaro and mutual coexistence. These celebrations have been serving as a catalyst for peace and unity among the various ethnic groups in the state, Meskiya said.
The Ethiopian Herald October 24, 2019
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
