(Unique cultural and historical scene)
BY NAOL GIRMA
Ethiopians living in parts of the country have many commonalities like the mountanious landscape they live, the livelihood depending on agriculture, the common foods they eat, the languages they share, the facial complexion , among others. Ethiopians are also diversified in ethncity and culture. The existence of 80 plus ethnic groups have made the country the mosiac of cultures.
There are different cultural foods, costumes, dances, unique ways of living and even New Year festivals. Although September first is recognized as national New Year celebration, there are peoples who have their own New Year celebration, which is now being inscribed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization intangible hertiage list.
Sidama is among Ethiopian ethnic groups with interesting tradition and cultural assests. Its New Year festival “Fichee Chambalaalla” has been attracting local and foreign tourists these days since it is inscribed int UNESCO intangible hertiage list in 2015.
Fichee Chambalaalla festival is a decorated event honoring the long tradition of the Sidama peiople. According to legends, it has been commemorated for more than 2000 years and is one of the sociocultural legacies that ancestors have passed down to their offspring. There is a story that is mentioned whenever the history of the celebration recounted. UNESCO narrated this story as follows:
“According to the oral tradition, Fichee commemorates a Sidama woman who visited her parents and relatives once a year after her marriage, bringing buurisame, a meal prepared from false banana, milk and butter, which was shared with neighbours. Fichee has since become a unifying symbol of the Sidama people.”
“Fichee Chambalaalla” doesn’t have fixed date to be celebrated. It is to be decided by traditional astrologers every year. It is determined by the home-grown knowledge of people well versed in it. They announce the date to each clan. It is an outcome of profound study of the solar system among which the moon, earth, sun and stars are included.
It demands unreserved and relentless innovative efforts of selected knowledgeable and highly respected group of people. Once the date is determined the celebration kicks of assigning volunteers different tasks to be performed. The celebration is imbued with festive and colourful cultural rituals of welcoming the New Year.
On the day, communal events take place throughout the festival, including traditional songs and dances. Every member of the people participates irrespective of age, gender and social status. On the first day, children move from house to house to greet their neighbours.
During the festival, clan leaders in their blessing insist the people to work hard, respect and support the elders, and refrain from any undesirable activities such as cutting out indigenous trees, sloth, false testimony and theft. They also advise people to uphold values
enshrined in the customs of community. Thus, 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.
Fichee essentially signals the arrival of spring at least one month in advance. Sidama elders known as “Ayanto” are responsible for determining the precise dates for both the end of the previous year and the start of the new one. As the time of the New Year approaches, “Fiche” is officially announced to the public a week in advance after the “Ayanto” determine the New Year’s Day or Chambalala.
The Ayanto hold a gathering to elect leaders to pray for the upcoming year around a month before Chambalala. To be able to predict what the upcoming year will bring for the people, these chosen elders isolate themselves, fast, and cleanse themselves. It is thought that these wise people can predict whether or not the New Year will be peaceful and pleasant.
A week before the conclusion of Fichee, the spiritual leaders of the populace (Ayanto) wrap up their prayers after the Sidama New Year’s Day pronouncement. Women begin preparing butter, milk, and spices for the fiesta’s meals as soon as the day is decided. While young girls assist their mothers and neighbours with chores, young boys assist their families by collecting firewood.
The Ayanto can plan for their people’s safety thanks to their foresight. Until they arrive at Fiche, this continues for a month. Elders known as Ayanto are in charge of the Sidama Luwa administrative structure. The Ayanto are chosen from every Sidama clan. The Sidama people are divided into fourteen clans, each of which is commanded by a
Woma. When the Ayanto’s observations of the solar system are complete, the Luwa informs the Woma of the findings. In turn, the Woma, the clan chiefs, convey the information. After the announcement of the day of Sidama’s New Year, the people’s spiritual leaders (Ayanto) conclude their prayers a week before the end of Fichee.
In Chambalala, “turning back” is the central theme. The holiday is observed in the twelfth month of the Sidama calendar and constellation. The twelfth month of Sidama’s calendar is when the New Year, eagerly anticipated by the populace, returns time and time again. The term “Chambalala” also refers to this coming back.
Everyone looks forward to Chambalala, the first day of Sidama’s New Year. On this day, kids don’t work; instead, they gather and say, “Aide Chambalala,” which means “we have come back,” to which mothers respond, “ille, ille,” which means “good to see you today,” and then feed the kids various delicacies. On Fichee Chambalala, cattle are permitted to graze unrestrictedly. Everyone enjoys the get-together of relatives and neighbours gathered to spend the day eating and drinking. All converge—young and old, male and female.
Later, they celebrate their joy by singing and dancing in the public square. The clan leaders and group members meet at ‘Gudumaale,’ a public meeting place to reach common understanding on certain issues. It is exercised not only in the areas where these elders are found but also in every woradas and kebeles of sidama region. In Affini system certain issues like politics, economy, social and cultural issues are decided and resolved if and only if the groups reach on consensus.
Similarly, the Sidama practice Qeexaala in groups to make open criticism on what they haves received as social and political matter of the people during Fiche Chembellala. They practice Qeexaala with songs and cultural dance in order to express their happiness and to forward their social criticisms on their praises and condemnations to leaders, government and any concerned body, as well.
The inscription of Fichee Chembellala in 2015 was a significant accomplishment to preserve the heritage, to raise awareness about the celebration among Ethiopians and the foreign tourists. Employing the system for different sociopolitical benefits and generating substential income from local and foreign tourists ares expected from government and stakes. In the meantime, the celebration has inspired art works, travel and cultural studies.
Her belief
BY SENAIT G/HIWOOT
She lives in her own world of fantasy Thinking that she could be somebody Life tells her again and again she can’t
But she always finds a way out
She expresses her deep feelings in writing
And shows that there is something
A passion that burns in her heart
A desire to standout
Even with all of her problems
She believes that she can do it
Things don’t always go as planned
But she doesn’t follow the herd
She listens to the still voice inside
That will always be her guide
Even the enemy voice in her head
Retreats when she gets out of bed
People misguide her now and then
But she always finds her path again….
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 4 MAY 2023
