(ማስታወቂያ)
Fichee-Chambalaalla is a traditional new year’s festival celebrated by the people of the Sidama ethnic group in Ethiopia. It is a holiday that pays tribute to a Sidama woman who, after getting married, made a once-yearly trip to see her parents and relatives while bringing Buurisame, a communal meal of false banana, milk, and butter.
The word “Fichee” comes from this sidama woman named “Ficho” who married & left her family’s home. Unlike the Ethiopian New Year’s (Enkutatash) which is celebrated on September 11th, Fichee-Chambalaalla is held usually in June or July, however the exact day is determined by astrologers, who decide the correct festival date, which is subsequently publicized to the clans. Chambalaalla is a time for the Sidama people to come together and celebrate their culture, heritage, and way of life. Fichee-Chambalaalla is mainly celebrated in the city of Hawassa, which is the capital city of the Sidama Region, on a public square, known by the Sidama language as Gudumalle During the festival, people dress in colorful traditional clothes, dance to the beat of drums and other instruments, and enjoy traditional foods and drinks.
The celebration of Fichchee Chambalala begins at dusk on the holiday. During the Fichchee Chambalala festival, traditional communal activities like singing and dancing to songs are held. Feasting Buurisame begins at the house of the locality’s elderly and most respected person, where everyone gathers to receive a blessing.
Buurisame is served on Shafeta, Sidamo people’s cultural kitchen utensil made for this specific purpose. Before the feasting begins, everyone stretches their hand over the served meal and the elderly person says the Fichchee blessing, which is repeated by everyone else. As soon as the blessing ceremony is completed, heated hot false-banana leaf is handed out to the attendees on which the elderly person grabs and put from the meal. Then everyone will share the meal from the same serving.
The meal served on Fichchee holiday is all vegetarian as the Sidama people want all living things to enjoy the holiday. On this holiday Huluqa – a symbolic gate which signifies a doorway of transitioning from the old year to the new year - is made from freshly cut straws and woods. The husband goes through this symbolic gate first, and is followed by the wife. and rest of the family. Finally pets and cattle. This signifies their transitioning from the old year to the new year. Farming or any type of labor work is not done on Fichchee Chambalala holiday, even animals will not work, instead are allowed to enjoy by letting them free on grazing land. No matter their age, gender, or social standing, every member takes part. On the first day, kids knock on doors to welcome their neighbors, who then serve them buurisame. Clan leaders advise the Sidama people to put in a lot of effort, show respect for and support for the elders, and abstain from robbing, lying, begging, and cutting down native trees during the celebration. As a result, the festival encourages integration among Ethiopia's many ethnic groups as well as equity, good governance, social cohesion, and peaceful coexistence. Oral and active participation in celebration rituals are two ways that parents pass on the tradition to their children. Particularly women teach their daughters and other rural girls information and skills related to hairdressing and buurisame preparation. In 2015, UNESCO included Fichchee Chambalala on its Intangible List of Cultural World Heritages. Overall, Fichee-Chambalaalla is one of the many Ethiopian holidays, and it is a vibrant and colorful celebration of the Sidama culture and way of life. It is a time for the community to come together, celebrate their traditions, and pass them on to future generations. If you ever find yourself in Ethiopia during the festival season, be sure to experience the beauty of Fichee-Chambalaalla for yourself.
