Every community has its own distinctive social and cultural values that distinguish one group of people from the other. These values practiced in the day to day activities of a group of people and represent that specific group to a large extent.
Ethiopia, as one of ethnically diverse populations, is home for more than 80 different ethnic groups that have their own distinct social, cultural and traditional practices. And these aspects are reflected within their cultures, languages and religious setups and so on.
Among these unique cultural values, the Fichee Chambalaalla, is the one.
Fichee-Chambalaalla is a New Year festival celebrated by the Sidama people. It is one of the socio-cultural heritages handed down by forefathers to descendants and has been celebrated for more than 2000 years.
According to Genene Abera, Sidama Administration Public Relations Head, the festival has got its name from a Sidama woman named Fichee. Fiche after she got married in accordance to the norm and cultural value of Sidama, she had come and visited her parents and relatives once in a year after her marriage, bringing buurisame, a meal prepared from false banana, milk and butter, which was shared with neighbors. The food was not only for the consumption of her families, but it was also shared among neighbors. And since that time, burrisam is taken as a big component of Chambalaalla festivity in addition to music and dance.
As to sources, there is no fixed annual date for Chambalala festival. Basis for such unique local New Year’s Day determination and celebration is Sidama calendar which was an outcome of unreserved and relentless innovative efforts of selected knowledgeable and highly respected group of people who were actively involved in profound study of the solar system among which the moon, earth, sun and stars included.
On the day, communal events take place throughout the festival, including traditional songs and dances. Every member participates irrespective of age, gender and social status. On the first day, children move from house to house to greet their neighbors, who serve them buurisame.
During the festival, clan leaders advise the Sidama people to work hard, respect and support the elders, and refrain from any undesirable activities such as cutting out indigenous trees, laziness, false testimony and theft. They also advise to uphold values enshrined in the community. Thus, the Fichee is a unifying symbol of the Sidama people and the festival. Therefore, the festival, apart from being mere centenary, it is a day that enhances equity, good governance, social cohesion, peaceful co-existence and integration among Sidama clans and the diverse ethnic groups in Ethiopia.
Singing the same tune, parents transmit the tradition to their children orally and through participation in events during the celebration.
Women in particular, transfer knowledge and skills associated with hairdressing and preparation of buurisame to their daughters and other girls in their respective villages.
This year’s festival of Fichee-Chambalaalla was also celebrated last week- May 20, 2020
Even if Chambalaalla is a street festival, due to COVID-19 pandemic, this year festival was marked at home, in a manner maintaining social distancing.
Fichee-Chambalaalla is one of the five Ethiopian heritages registered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Ethiopian Herald May 27, 2020
BY STAFF REPORTER
