Fichee-Chambalaalla
| Fichee-Chambalaalla | |
|---|---|
Sidama people celebrating the Fichee festival in 2013 | |
| Observed by | Sidama people |
| Significance | New Year |
| Celebrations | Performing dances Singing traditional songs Preparing buurisame (a typical meal) to the community |
| 2025 date | 28 March |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Ethiopian New Year Oromo New Year |
Fichee-Chambalaalla is a New Year holiday celebrated by Sidama people in Ethiopia. According to the tradition, Fichee commemorates a Sidama woman who visited her parents and relatives once in a year after her marriage and brings buurisame, a meal prepared from false banana, milk and butter, and share to her neighbors. Therefore, it signifies unity among the people.
Fichee is a moveable festival that is determined by astrologers and announced by the clan leaders. Its celebration includes singing traditional songs and performing dance, which is celebrated among all community regardless of age, social status and gender. The festival is inscribed by UNESCO as the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015.