Fichee Chambalaalla – Sidama New Year

Fichee-Chambalaalla is the traditional New Year festival of the Sidama people in Ethiopia, centered on the legend of a woman who visited her relatives annually to share a meal, symbolizing unity. Determined by the Ayyaanto (astrologers) through a unique lunar system and recognized by UNESCO, the event serves as a vital platform for social cohesion. It marks a period of communal renewal where families reunite to settle disputes and reinforce the moral codes that govern Sidama society.

Google Maps location of the main event activities can be found here.

The festival welcomes visitors to immerse themselves in a tribal event showcasing diverse activities, including traditional songs, dances, and Qexala poetry performances. A central ritual is the symbolic sharing of buurisame, a traditional dish made from enset (false banana) and butter, which is served from a common bowl to emphasize the bond between neighbors. Throughout the festivities, one can observe children going from house to house to offer New Year greetings, while elders gather to transmit ancestral wisdom and oral history to the younger generation.