Among the various festivals Ethiopia celebrates with passion, New Year festivals have a special place among the majority. Depending on the culture or the identity of that particular society, New Year will be celebrated warmly and colorfully. Fiche-Chambalala, which is a unique New Year festival that is celebrated among the people of Sidama, is the one in this regard.
According to the information obtained from the Sidama State Culture, Tourism and Sport Bureau, Sidama’s New Year Festival is one of the intangible cultural events that have been passed down from generation to generation. The festival takes place in the 12th month of Sidama constellation and calendar; and the exact day of both the termination of the old year and the beginning of the New Year is set by traditional astrologers known as Ayanto among Sidamas.
About a month before the festival, Ayanto hold a meeting to elect prayer leaders for the coming year. These chosen elders, isolating themselves from the community, fast and purify themselves so that they can know what the next year will bring to the people. It is believed that these elders are gifted with unique talent and wisdom to understand whether the New Year will bring good days and peace.
Ayanto look to the sky (the stars) and below the earth (the goat’s caecum -the part that is the beginning of the large intestine) – seeking the wisdom that nature offers. They predict what will happen in Sidama in the coming New Year by slaughtering a small goat and reading the caecum applying the wisdom they have inherited from ancestors. It is believed that a closer look inside the caecum of goats reveals the future to the elders.
The festival starts with family and neighborhood gatherings and then expands to the process of celebrating together massively at the traditional square.
The Fiche-Chambalala New Year celebration is a time for the Sidama people get together, extend gratitude for the blessings of the past year, and look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Fiche festival is also a time when tribal leaders and senior elders teach and give directions to the community in order to promote peace, respect, tolerance, reconciliation, accelerate development and respect human rights.
What is more, the day has also a special place among the people of Sidama for it is a time they will forget their past grudge and embrace forgiveness.
As it was indicated by Sidama State President, Desta Ledamo, Fiche-Chamblala festival is not only a transition to another year, but also it is a time where past grudges and bitterness are removed and forgiveness will be practiced.
In his congratulatory message to the people of Sidama in relation to the festival, Desta said that the festival is a visible indication of the level of knowledge and wisdom of forefathers. It is also a pride to Ethiopia and an intangible cultural heritage that has universal value and importance.
Fiche-Chambalala has cultural and social benefits beyond its significance as a beginning of a new year. It is a heritage that reflects the core cultural aspects of the Sidama people.
Fiche-Chambalala is a New Year festival that has been passed down from generation to generation and continues to be cherished and celebrated by the generations to come, the President remarked.
Since Fiche Chambalala is one of the most valued holidays among the people of Sidama, several cultural practices are performed and everyone eagerly awaits the day. On this special day, children are free from performing any house chores. Thus, they get together to sing “Aide Chambalala”, which means “we have come back”. In response to this song, mothers would reply “ille, ille’, which means good to see you today” and they will provide them with various traditional dishes.
On the actual day, it is not only children who enjoy the day. Men and women, young and old will also celebrate it warmly and joyfully. What is more, cattle that had been busy for most of the months will get relief on this special occasion.
On this special occasion, it is common to see friendly competition among young men and women. This friendly competition is believed to bring unity and togetherness among the community while providing entertainment for all ages. It is also common to see families and neighbors gathering and spending the day by eating and drinking. They later go out to the public square to sing and dance.
One of the key elements of Fiche-Chambalala celebration is the preparation of “Bursame”, a traditional and much-loved dish that is commonly enjoyed during the Fiche-Chambalala celebration. This flavor and delicious dish holds cultural significance and is an essential part of the festive feast.
This dish showcases the rich agricultural heritage of the Sidama people, as it features a variety of locally grown ingredients that are readily available during the harvest season. The main ingredients typically include barley flour, sorghum, maize and beans, which are mixed together to create nutritious and delicious porridge.
The preparation of Bursame involves careful cooking and stirring to achieve the desired texture and flavor. The mixture is slowly simmered over a fire, allowing the ingredients to blend together and develop a rich and savory taste. The meal is also shared among family members and neighbors as a symbol of unity and abundance during the festival. As sources indicated, “Bursame” is often accompanied by traditional Sidama songs and dances, with participants dressed in colorful attire and adorned with handmade bead jewelry.
During the Fiche-Chambalala festival, families also gather to pay homage to their ancestors and seek blessings for the upcoming year. Offerings are made to the spirits of the land and prayers are recited for a bountiful harvest and prosperity. During Chambalala traditional elders play a significant role in guiding the community through several rituals and ensuring that all the customs and traditions are upheld.
The ritual of decorating the streets and households with flowers and other decorations is another aspect of Fiche-Chambalala. As some sources indicated, the decorations symbolize the beauty and abundance of nature, as well as the renewal of life and growth that comes with the changing seasons.
While the Sidama people are preparing to celebrate Fiche-Chambalala, State Police Commission has announced that it is undertaking arrangements to celebrate the day peacefully.
Sidama State Police Commission Commissioner Shemels Thomas told ENA that the Fichee Chambalala festival will be marked on Friday and Saturday. In this regard, all the necessary preparations are made to celebrate the festival peacefully.
Shemels also said that since Fichee Chambalala is one of the intangible cultural heritages registered by UNESCO as heritage of humanity, several tourists will attain the program. In this regard, he urged the residents of the city to show all the necessary cooperation so that local and international tourists can have a wonderful time.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 6 APRIL 2024
