ADDIS ABABA– Gedeo Zone has finished preparation to celebrate Deraro, the New Year of the Gedeo people, on January 25th, Gedeo Zone Administration disclosed.
In a press conference held yesterday, Gezu Assefa, the Zone’s Administrator stated that Gedeo will celebrate this year Deraro festival under the motto ‘Deraro for our peace, unity, and prosperity’.
Deraro is a thanksgiving festival that the Gedeo people celebrate right after the harvesting period. The people will grant thanks to God as he keeps them safe from disease or any sort of bad things, as to him.
A two-day language and cultural symposium, along with sporting events, will be held as part of the program to inter-lace the culture and language of the zone and create unity among the people, he said.
He further indicated that giving recognition for Abba Gadas, religious leaders, youths and public figures for their contribution to maintaining peace, harmonious relation among people and environmental protection would also take the priority.
In addition, he noted: “There is this celebration called Huluqa that represents a transition to a bright future. During the festival, Abba Gadas and religious leaders will lead the way followed by the people to represent leaving behind previous year’s bad happenings”.
The Zone Administration called on representatives of all the Nation and Nationalities of Peoples to take part in the beautiful festival of Deraro.
Mentioning that the Gedeo people have their own calendar, Gezu stated that the celebration will take place on Dilla multipurpose stadium, Dilla city.
The Deraro festival which has been celebrated for more than 540 years will be organized by Gedeo Zone Culture, Tourism and Sports Office with the view to promote the event.
The Ethiopian Herald January 15/2020
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
