There are a number of festivals in Ethiopia which are celebrated annually. Of the varied festivals, Buhe is an old custom for Ethiopians. The festival is traditionally regarded as a young lads’ holiday. During this time, boys make group and sing Hoya Hoye holding a long stick and wandering from houses to houses.
Some days earlier to the festival, they prepare long stick and whips made of fiber to make huge sound that is heard across the valleys. Their song is for everyone in their village and expresses gratitude and admiration. Village mothers bake special bread called Mulmul to give as a reward to the singing boys. After recieving the bread, the boys will continue praising the hard work, wealth and social status of the village families.
As the rains are still streaming the celebration is undertaking by the lads that hold a stick in their hands. Small group of boys go to each house of small village chanting Hoya Hoye. Singing Hoya-Hoye has unique emotional experience for every boy. No matter what the economic or religious background of those boys, Hoya -Hoye is something special to them. That is why it is common to see them singing it with greater passion.
Here is Addis Ababa, where there are various cultural and religious differences are common, it is normal to see young boys holding their stick and singing Hoya-Hoye in every corner with passion. The day Hoya- Hoye is a special event for young boys. They go from one house to another in their neighborhood making special poems to praise the household owners and express their good wish for the upcoming Ethiopian New Year. It is tradition to hold a stick as an instrument while singing Hoya Hoye. The children make the sound by hitting the ground with it while they sing following the lead singer in a rhythmic way.
The lead singer is selected from the group for his good voice. After the group finishes praising the household owners, will be awarded and given appreciations by homemade bread (mulmul) or money as they leave blessing the families in the household. Beyond the songs and the beautiful rhythm, Hoya-Hoye has also another significant value to those little boys. Lads from same village, with same psychological makeup and common understanding come together to sing Hoya-Hoye.
The day signifies togetherness. Since Hoya-Hoye is a group song, it gives members a sense of strength, unity and security. The strong bondage among boys will be manifest in times where they face common enemy on their way. No matter how strong their enemy is those little boys are willing to defend their brother.
This unity will not breakup with any condition. As our forefathers have sacrificed their personal interest for the sake of freedom, those little boys will also not give up easily when they face difficult situation. The sense of fraternity is very strong among all members. Sharing is the other value of Hoya- Hoye. In addition to overcoming common enemy (it cloud be a dog orprovocative boys) those little boys will also practice the value of sharing during Hoya-Hoye. Whatever they may get during Hoya- Hoye (money or bread) those little boys will share it equally by themselves- without practicing the act of theft, self-interest or partiality while sharing.
Hoya-Hoye is the little Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a land where various ethnic groups live in harmony and love. No matter what the seasonal ups and downs of our peace the land is really the land of tolerance. It is a place where the Oromo, the Tigre, Amhara and other ethnic groups live in harmony. Hoya-Hoye is a good manifestation in this regard. As a seasonal festival, it attracts the attention of every boy from every corner and ethnic group. It is a colorful and joyful moment.
Irrespective of religious and ethnic differences, little boys will celebrate Buhe with love and passion. The money or the bread they collect is always secondary. What matters to them is the joyful song they will sing and spending that special moment with their brothers. This is the true identity of Ethiopia. Sharing, respecting and defending brother. No matter what the color of ethnic or religious difference exist between them.
The Ethiopian Herald August 7/2019
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
