(ENA, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia) — The 2019 Ethiopian calendar Gifata festival, marking the Wolaita New Year, is being celebrated in grand style at the Wolaita Sodo Multipurpose Stadium with a series of vibrant events and cultural performances.

The 2026 celebration is being held under the theme: “Let us protect our ancestral heritage; let us continue the legacy of Gifata.”

A Festival of Reconciliation and Unity

Gifata is far more than a New Year celebration. It is a deeply meaningful cultural festival that reflects Ethiopian unity and solidarity — a time when relatives and friends who have been apart come together, when the scattered reunite, and when those who have fallen out reconcile.

It is described as a celebration of peace, love, unity, and joy — a powerful expression of the values that bind communities together across generations.

The festival holds a special place in the hearts of the Wolaita people and serves as a symbol of shared identity, mutual respect, and collective hope for the year ahead.

A UNESCO-Recognised Heritage

In December 2018, Gifata was inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This year’s celebration marks the first time the festival has been held on such a grand scale since receiving that prestigious recognition.

The UNESCO listing affirmed Gifata’s significance not only to Ethiopia but to the world — recognising it as a living tradition that embodies cultural diversity, community resilience, and the universal human desire for connection and renewal.

A Gathering of Dignitaries and Communities

The celebration has drawn a wide cross-section of participants, including:

• Tilahun Kebede, Chief Administrator of the South Ethiopia Regional State
• Federal, regional, zonal, city administration, and district government officials
• Elders and community leaders
• Religious fathers
• Invited delegates from all Ethiopian regions
• Local residents from across the area

Their presence underscores the festival’s role as a unifying force that transcends regional and ethnic boundaries, bringing together people from all walks of life in a shared celebration of culture and heritage.

What Is Gifata?

Gifata is the traditional New Year festival of the Wolaita people, celebrated annually in September. It marks the transition from one year to the next and is a time for:

• Giving thanks for the blessings of the past year
• Strengthening relationships with family and community
• Reconciling differences and seeking forgiveness
• Celebrating cultural identity through music, dance, and traditional attire
• Looking forward with hope to the year ahead

The festival is characterised by colourful processions, traditional songs and dances, communal feasting, and the exchange of blessings among elders and youth.

A Celebration of Heritage and Hope

As the Gifata festival unfolds in Wolaita Sodo, it serves as a powerful reminder of the richness of Ethiopia’s cultural tapestry. In a world where traditions are often under pressure, Gifata stands as a testament to the resilience of community, the importance of heritage, and the enduring power of celebration.

The theme of this year’s festival — protecting ancestral heritage and continuing the legacy of Gifata — speaks directly to the responsibility of each generation to preserve and pass on the cultural treasures entrusted to them.

Looking Ahead

With its UNESCO recognition and growing participation, Gifata continues to shine as a beacon of Ethiopian culture and unity. As communities gather in Wolaita Sodo to welcome the new year, they do so with gratitude for the past and hope for the future.

Happy Gifata! May the new year bring peace, prosperity, and unity to all.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency (EZA)