ገዥው ፓርቲ ሲኣን/መድረክ በሃዋሳ ከተማ የጠራውን ህዝባዊ ስብሰባ ለማደናቀፍ ያደረው ጥረት ሳይሳካ መቅረቱ ተሰማ

April 04, 2014

ሲኣን/መድረክ ባለፈው ሳምንት በሃዋሳ ከተማ የፖለቲካ ፕሮግራሙን ለኣባላቱ እና ለደጋፊዎቹ ለማስተዋወቅ የጠራውን ህዝባዊ ስብሰባ ገዥው ፓርቲ የመሰብሰቢያ ኣዳራሽ በመከልከል እና የሲኣን/መድረክ ኣባላት በስብሰባው ላይ እንዳይሳተፉ ተጽዕኖ በማድረግ ለማድናቀፍ ያደረጋው ጥረት ሳይሳካ ቀርቷል።

 

ሪፖርተራችን ጥቻ ወራና ከሃዋሳ እንደዘጋበው የሲዳማ ኣርነት ንቅናቄ ከመድረክ ጋር በመተባበር በሃዋሳ ከተማ ባለፈው ሳምንት ያከሄደው ታላቅ ህዝባዊ ጉባኤ ልካሄድ የነበረው መጋቢት 2/2007 ኣ/ም ቢሆንም፤ የሲዳማ ዞን እና የሃዋሳ ከተማ ኣስተዳደር ኣዳራሽ በመከልከላቸው የተነሳ ወደ መጋቢት 20 2006 ኣ/ም ለማስተላለፍ መገደዱ ታውቋል።

 

ጉባኤውን ለማካሄድ እንደኣማራጭ ተይዞ ከነበሩት መሰብሰቢያ ኣዳራሾች መካከል የሲዳማ ባህል ኣዳራሽ ኣንዱ ሲሆን፤ ባህል ኣዳራሹን የሚያስተዳድረው የሲዳማ ዞን ኣዳራሹ በተመሳሳይ ቀን በሌላ ሰብሰባ መያዙን የምገልጽ ምላሽ ሰጥቷል።

 

በሁለተኛ ኣማራጭነት የተያዘው በሃዋሳ ከተማ ኣስተዳደር ውስጥ የምገኙ ኣደራሾች ሲሆን፤ የከተማዋ ኣስተዳደር የመሰብሰቢያ ኣዳራሽ እንድፈቅድ በደብዳቤ ተጠይቆ ዛሬ ነገ በማለት ምላሽ ሳይሰጥ ቆይቶ በኃላ ላይ ኣዳራሽ እንደሌለው በመግለጽ ምላሽ መስጠቱ ታውቋል።

 በህዝብ ገንዘብ ለህዝብ ግልጋሎት እንድሰጥጡ የተገነቡትን እንዚህ ኣዳራሽ ለመጠቀም የተደረገው ጥረት በገዥው ፓርቲ ኣስተዳደሮች በመከልከሉ ሲኣን/መድረክ ፊታቸውን ወደ ግል ኣዳራሾች በማዞር በሃዋሳ በሴንቴራል ሆቴል ኣዳራሽ የተከራዩ ቢሆንም፤ የሆቴሉ ባለቤት በገዥው ፓርቲ ኣባላት ማስፈራሪ እንደደረሳቸው በመግለጽ ለኣዳራሽ መከራያ የተሰጣቸውን ገንዝብ መልሰዋል።

 

የሆነ ሆኖ ለጉባኤው ሶስት ቀናት ሲቀሩት ሲኣን/መድረክ የጠራውን ህዝባዊ ጉባኤ ማካሄጃ ኣዳራሽ በገዥው ፓርቲ ተጽዕኖ ማጣቱን በመግለጽ ያለውን ሁኔታ በተመለከተ ጋዜጣዊ መግለጫ ለመስጠት በመዘጋጀት ላይ እያለ ከሲዳማ ዞን ኣስተዳደር “እኛ እንደእናንተ ኣንሆንም” የምል መልዕክት ኣክሎበት የሲዳማ ባህል ኣዳራሽን እንዲጠቀሙ በስልክ መፈቀዱን ታውቋል።

 

ከዚህ ሁሉ ትግል በኃላ መሰብሰቢያ ኣዳራሽ ብገኝም በሃዋሳ ከተማ ኣስተዳደር ገዥው ፓርቲ ለክፍለ ከተማ እና ቀበሌ ካድሬዎች ኣበል በመክፈል የሲኣን ኣባላትን 1 ለ 5 ኣደረጃጀት በስራ እንደያዙ በማድረግ በጉባኤው ላይ እንዳይሳተፉ ኣድርገዋል።

ከዚህም ባሻገር ጉባኤውን በተመለከተ በሃዋሳ ከተማ ውስጥ ቅስቀሳ እንዳይካሄድ እና ስለ ጉባኤው የሚያትቱ በራሪ ወረቀቶች እንዳይስራጩ የከተማዋ ፖሊሶች ኣድርገዋል።

በተመሳሳይ በሲዳማ ዞን የወረዳ እና የቀበሌ ኮሚቴዎች የሲኣን ኣባላት በጉባኤው ላይ እንዳይሳተፉ በማስፈራራት እና 1 ለ5 ኣደረጃጀትን በመጠቀም በስራ የማጥመድ ስራ ስርተዋል።

 

የሆነ ሆኖ የሲኣን/መድረክ ኣባላት እና ደጋፊዎች የገዥውን ፓርቲ ተጽዕኖ በመቋቋም በህዝባዊ ጉባኤው ላይ በመሳተፋቸው ጉባኤ በተያዘው ፕሮግራም መሰረት ያለምንም ችግር በተሳካ መክሉ መካሄዱን ሪፖርተራችን ጥቻ ወራና ዘግቧል።

 

Source:-http://worancha.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/blog-post_4.html

 

 

በሲዳማ ያለው የሰብኣዊ መብት ጥስት ተባብሷል፤ የመንግስት ጸጥታ ኃይሎች በተማሪዎች ላይ ጉዳት ማድረሳቸው እየተነገረ ነው

     

Serious Human Rights Violations in Sidamaland: State-Sponsored Violence in Continuity as Ever.

By: Hawassa Times, 03 April, 2014, (Hawassa, Sidama).

 

Hawassa city under Ruthless security grip following legitimate quests by students.

 

At least the main gates of the city and all schools compounds are surrounded by armored gunmen. 

 

Several shot by police and many wounded by police action since yesterday.

 

Social unrest and public arousal felt in Sidamaland.

 

It has already been asserted that the rigorous human rights violations under the rule of parochial TPLF leadership became the contemporary reality in Ethiopia. Many international human rights activists and organizations have outpoured and lauded their voices regarding the bitter situation of the rights contravention, and so explicitly along the ethnic lines. Sidaamaland has specifically been subjected to endless human rights abuses, massacres, killings and arbitrary detentions since the turn of 1990’s and ultimately culminated in the shockingly brutal ‘Looqqe Massacre’ in which hundreds of unarmed civilians lost their lives unlawfully by the state armed security forces. This continued to live as a collective memory among the suffering Sidaama public today. Letting aside repenting for its extremely disproportionate military actions on the peaceful demonstrators who were claiming their constitutional rights to regional self-administration, the regime continued to act vehemently rather in a way to suffocate peaceful political atmosphere in the region.

Supported and closely assisted by its puppet regional affiliate-SEPDM, the TPLF’s aspiration to sustain hard won victory and maintain political hegemony in the country’s body politics have forced the authoritarian TPLF to undertake tremendously hazardous measures against the clearly stipulated constitutional covenants-contravening its own declarations for ‘human rights protection, ethnic right to self-determination, equality etc’. The Sidaamas are particularly vulnerable to TPLF’s abusive measures since this people are the famous and leading ones to challenge specifically the regional restructuring of the federation-being forcedly amalgamated in to the so called SNNPR-‘prison house’ of more than 56 Nations, nationalities and peoples.

Since the unfolding of TPLF’s ethnic federal arrangement in the country, Sidaamaland has been under a special focus as the said people have been vigilantly claiming to exercise their right to regional self-determination. The TPLF actors, on the other hand, saw this as an assault on their pragmatic/sensible political settings which originally aimed to sustain their hegemonic power positions. Since the Looqqe mass murder, different tumultuous occasions have taken place where the regime took ruthless measures on the Sidaama civilian population and its young elites in order to crush potential challenge in their bid to endlessly transfer the Sidaama resources to their homeland, and ease the political friction which may occur when Sidaama’s continued call for regional self-administration is to materialize. This has given a rise to endless turmoil in the region where assault on the fundamental rights of the Sidaama nationals has become the order of the day.

In June 2012, the regime introduced a very niggling and/or troublesome agenda in their continued bid to put out of articulation/displace Sidaama administration from their home city-Hawassa-by rearranging the administration of the city through making the responsibility of administering the city common for all ethnic groups. Their stipulation clearly preordained that the Sidaamas must surrender the administration posts to either federal or regional government and has no right to claim whatever about the city. This necessitated the unprecedented mobilization of the entire Sidaama public as a national call agenda to defend, safeguard and free their ancestral land from ‘politicized invasion’ hitherto unparalleled in the history of the country. 

 

This resistance movement resulted in the worsening of the already deteriorated peace in the area in which hundreds of the citizens were forcedly put in to jail, tortured, several shot and victimized. According to some analysts, the chorocratic TPLF has maintained this divide-and-rule policy on Sidama by controlling and mentoring its affiliated regional parties and effectively recruiting and mobilizing top officials against the Sidaama public.

Though the current situation and its whereabouts of the party’s said agenda cannot be stated in precise terms, the Sidaama public, at least curbed the detrimental ‘metropolitan agenda’-as it was called- by paying life sacrifices. By looking at the ostentatious reality, commentators on the politics operational in Sidaamaland came to observe that ‘the TPLF/SEPDM’s anti-Sidaama measures-to weaken the Sidaama nationalism, dismember/dissect their ancestral territory and split their resistance-has taken a form of constant and perpetual shape in post 1991 Ethiopia’.

This year as well, following some manifestly legitimate quests from the Sidaama high school students, the regime has unleashed the ‘hostilities of terror’ against the Sidaama public in general and the incapable and innocent students in particular. The claims of the students-in line with the very policy of the regime- is the quest to learn in their own mother tongue, to rename the schools’ name along the Sidaama parlance and safeguard their constitutional interests-the quests which are quite legitimate and do not negate the rights of others. These are some of the enduring questions which are deep-seated in the Sidaama public as well.

However, the incumbent military regime with fake civilian coat staged to take unnecessarily harsh and repressive measures against the innocent students rather than to deal with the issues amicably. A belief in military might-inherited from its past successive Abyssinian authoritarian traditions-is still found to be impacting the peaceful dialogue and democratic consensus resulting in the prevalence of conflicting tendencies in the greater Sidaamaland-this also negatively impacting the incentives of social transformation and improvement in public life.

Since April 2014-this month-Hawassa city, a capital of Sidaamaland-has been put under the security clench as it is common phenomena in the area under the leadership of this regime. The regional special security force, Ag-az-the cruel federal police branch and others have been engaged in shootings and firing on the unarmed and peaceful-innocent students for the simple reason that they are Sidaama or speak Sidaama language.

 

Despite the cruel police measure including shootings, torture and inhumane treatment of those arrested, the students have continued their peaceful quests for their genuine demands mentioned above. The situation is worsened when the students in rural high schools are also joining the stage. As of April 2, 2014, the police shot dead 3 and wounded many in Hawassa Tabor and Alamura high schools, and much more catastrophic injuries according to reliable local sources and eye witnesses. This figure of death is subject to increase or double since the hunting and torturing students continued unabated. As a result, the situation is feared not to result in another tense social annoyance and arousal which-in the due course-may mobilize and join the discontented Sidaama public in the struggle against the allegedly discriminatory and abusive TPLF rule.

Whatever the trend and the far-reaching consequences may be, the concerned state organs should deliver appropriately fitting solutions for the quests of the students-which are also quests of the larger Sidaama community. The military action under the guise of ‘maintaining public security’ has much exceeded its upper limit drawing its past experience of assault on the Ethiopian public at large. The regime must become conscious that military measures could not be-in the long run-a sound and lasting solution-rather than worsening the already deteriorated social harmony and peace-largely occurring between the Sidaamas and the incumbent regime-typified as vertical conflict.

Here, it is commendable to propose that the right-based, legitimate and genuine demands of the students and the public at the back of them should be addressed through compromise and peaceful dialogue. If opted different way, its detrimental/destructive consequences would be far-reaching and requires second thought!

 

Source:- http://worancha.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/blog-post_3944.html 

 

 

Proliferation of Political Organizations Does Not Address the Sidama National Question.

Press Release

United Sidama Parties fro Freedom and Justice (USPFJ) 

Ever since humans established the first form of states in the four fertile river valleys: The Tigris-Euphrates valley, the Nile valley, the Indus valley and the Huanghe valley, political organizations evolved in various forms and shapes.  History has it that the Sumerians were the first to organize into a city-state system of administration in southern Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE, followed soon by the Egyptians in the Nile valley and the Harappans at Indus valley at around 3000 BCE. The main objectives of the political organization of these ancient societies were to develop their culture and language primarily through invention of scripts that were used for accounting, poetry and literature for political propaganda. Equally important were trade among other societies, in particular exchange of goods, domesticated crops and animals as well as ideas with other societies at similar stages of development. The initial stages of the development of these ancient political systems (states) were less despotic and less violent. Nonetheless, with the rise in accumulation wealth, competition over control of resources gave rise to conflicts among various groups within and outside of the early states leading to domestic political dictatorships and external conquest and subsequent subjugation of weaker societies by stronger ones.

Although political systems and institutions evolved tremendously across the globe over the 5 and a half millennia since humans first formed states, their fundamental tenets still remain invariably intact today.  The stronger and powerful states or societies or ethnic groups continue to suppress and exploit the weaker and the less powerful societies within and outside of certain political boundaries. The response of the suppressed groups have accordingly taken various forms and shapes ranging from passive resistance and disobedience to the rules of the oppressors to armed uprisings and confrontations with varying degrees of success.

During the heyday of the Sidama civilization, political, social and economic affairs of the society were managed through an indigenous African, pluralist and egalitarian political system. These systems comprised of the Songo (supreme legislative council of political, economic and social governance) under the leadership of Moote (Kings). The Kings were supported by the institutions of Woma and Luwa (an age-grade administrative and cultural system similar to the Gada system of the sisterly Oromo society), which anchor the administrative, cultural and defense structures of the society.  This nonetheless came to an abrupt end in 1891 when Sidama was for the first time conquered and forcefully incorporated into the modern day Ethiopia by the invading army of King Minelik II.

Since the conquest and forced annexation by the new Ethiopian empire, the Sidama people have relentlessly resisted the occupation, the wanton economic exploitation and social and cultural denigration through armed confrontation of the successive oppressive systems. In the early 1970s, the armed resistance hitherto scattered across the Sidama nation took was reorganized under a unified political structure, which in late 1970s evolved into the Sidama Liberation Movement. The Sidama Liberation Movement mobilized the Sidama people in the scale hitherto unknown in the history of the Sidama nation and waged overt armed struggle against the militarily regime for over 7 years liberating a number of highland districts. The struggle for self-determination by the gallant Sidama heroes and heroines cost the Sidama society over 30,000 lives from both sides who were obliged to take arm against each other during this period alone. The Sidama people made enormous contributions in Ethiopia’s struggle to overthrow the socialist -cum-military dictatorship and therefore had high hopes that their age old demand for regional self-determination would be addressed when revolutionary forces finally over threw the military regime in 1991.  But that was not to be. Instead, the Sidama people for the first time since 1891, lost their nominal regional identify and were once more forcefully subsumed under the Southern Region comprising of over 50 small ethnic groups.

In the wake of what one would regard as the nation’s second political tragedy in a century, patriotic Sidamas demanded unwavering leadership form the Sidama Liberation Movement.  Unfortunately this was not to be either. The leadership of   the movement became effectively feckless.  Various attempts to reform the movement fell on deaf ears of its key leaders. At that historic juncture, the patriotic Sidamas had only two choices. Either abandon the age old struggle for self-determination for which thousands of lives have been sacrificed or form alternative political arrangements that could resuscitate the national struggle.  That gave birth to the Sidama Liberation Front (SLF) and later the Sidama National Liberation Organization (SNLO). These organizations had not only rejuvenated and sustained the Sidama struggle for self-determination until today but also succeeded in reintegrating the veteran political organization, the Sidama Liberation Movement in a land mark political deal to create the United Sidama Parties for Freedom and Justice (USPFJ, for short) in 2012.

At the time when political opposition of the oppressed nations has been significantly weakened in Ethiopia due to disagreements over political objectives, the union of the three independent Sidama political institutions under one umbrella was indeed a significant success and was an envy of many. Nonetheless, to the shock and dismay of many Sidama compatriots, we have witnessed in this last two months an attempt by certain individuals to create a new political organization in the name of the Sidama people: the “Sidama National Democratic Movement”. In a modern democratic system individuals are free to express their own opinions. We are not against the freedom of individuals to do whatever they want. This is fundamental human freedom for which our gallant Sidama heroes have spilt their blood for decades. Nonetheless, this freedom should not be misconstrued to mean the use of the name of a society to advance individual interests without a clear alternative vision to change the plight of that society.  We have ascertained this from two vivid evidences. First, the website of the so called democratic movement has contained information plagiarized from the websites of the Sidama National Liberation Organization, Sidama.org and the Sidama Liberation Front, without due permission of the institutions who possess copy rights to these reports. A little manipulation of and additions and deductions of the phrases of these reports does not make them the original ideas and thoughts of the individuals who committed these appalling acts. If the individuals do not have their own ideas and thoughts about their new political structure, what alternative vision do they have for the Sidama society? Secondly and most shockingly the plagiarized copy of the overview of the Sidama Resistance Movement in the web sites of our political organizations mentioned above is posted as the political program of the so called “democratic movement.”  We hope the Sidama people and the readers would understand what we mean when individuals should desist from abusing the name of a society to promote self-interests.

This is not the time for duplication of political organizations in the name of the Sidama society. This is the time for consolidation of efforts to galvanize the limited resources to harness the struggle of our society for self-determination.  We warn the individuals behind the botched attempt to form a new political organization NOT to use the name of the Sidama society to form alliances with right wing chauvinist organizations that are hell bent to reverse the democratic gains made during the past two decades. Rest assured that the Sidama people will gallantly guard, as they have done time and again in history, the democratic gains achieved through their precious lives.

And finally, we demand that the reports unduly and unethically plagiarized from our websites be removed from the websites of the “Sidama National Democratic Movement”, your website, as immediately as possible!

 

United Sidama Parties for Freedom and Justice (USPFJ)

04 April 2014

Human Rights Advocacy Group (HRAG) Launching Conference Invitation Flyer

Human Rights Advocay Group (HRAG) Launching Conference   Date, September 28, 2013   Time 2pm to 9:30pm Where: West Training unit, 16 Mewtrick rd, Southhall, ub2 4au, london Organisers:-Oromo, Ogaden Sumali, Sidama, Shakacho, Agnuak & Benshangul Cotanct dtails, 0044 7896 11 7252 and 00 44 7572 91 0725				A united effort is needed to shade light on the hidden brutality of the current regime; by doing so to pressurize it to stop.   Therefore, having finalized the necessary preconditions for the establishment of such a group, the steering committee is currently calling the entire community members and others humanitarians to the Launching Conference which is due to take place on the mentioned date.

Statement on Killings and Gross Violations of Religious Rights of Ethiopian Muslim by the Government!

By United Sidama Parties for Freedom and Justice (USPFJ)

August 8, 2013

Since 2011 the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) led current Ethiopian regime remains unlawfully brutalizing Ethiopian Muslim Community; blatantly disregarding its very constitution that provides freedom to religious beliefs. Religious rights are enshrined in the constitution under article 27 ‘Freedom of religion, Belief and Opinion’ that stipulates that:-

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include the freedom to hold or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and the freedom, either individually or in community with others, and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.

2. Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-Article 2 of Article 90, believers may establish institutions of religious education and administration in order to propagate and organize their religion.

3. No one shall be subject to coercion or other means which would restrict or prevent his freedom to hold a belief of his choice.

4. Parents and legal guardians have the right to bring up their children ensuring their religious and moral education in conformity with their own convictions.

5. Freedom to express or manifest one’s religion or belief may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, peace, health, education, public morality or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, and to ensure the independence of the state from religion.

In a total disregard to the rights of religious beliefs guaranteed in the supreme law of the land, the current Ethiopian regime continues to arrest, torture, kill and terrorize the Ethiopian Muslim Community for demanding their religious Freedom; and non-involvement of the regime’s authorities in their religious affairs.

Since early 2012 the Muslim Community Moved from corner to corner in vehement rejection of the regime’s unlawful and unconstitutional plans to install a new version of Islam linked to Syria and Lebanon at the higher authority levels of national religious leadership; after facing strong reactions by the Ethiopian Muslim community against the interference of the Government in their religious affairs; the regime responded by using excessive forces at all levels. Hundreds were massacred in broad day lights and several thousands remain imprisoned for alleged violations of constitution. The scale of harassments, intimidations, repressions, suppressions, killings, torture and terror targeting Ethiopian Muslim community has reached to its peak as we speak.

Therefore, we believe that keeping silent whilst injustice is unfolding on fellow citizens would be morally inappropriate. We also believe that democratic values necessitates that, we must stand on the side of the victimized to uphold the values of freedom and democracy and justice. In particular we condemn the current massacre that is taking place since the weekend of 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th of August 2013 allover the country with particular focus in Arsi Zone at various locations. This is a manifestation of regime’s extreme brutality and lack of any respect for human lives and dignity. The ongoing systematic abuses of power by the incumbent regime against Ethiopian Muslim Community in particular and all Ethiopian nations and nationalities in general must stop immediately!! 

We feel the pain being felt by the Muslim Community, because the Sidama people have been victimized by the current regime for demanding their fundamental rights time and again. We know how it feels like to be killed, arrested, tortured, intimidated and terrorized whilst demanding the constitutional rights that are enshrined in the supreme law of the land. Therefore, the Sidama community empathizes with the pain and sufferings of Ethiopian Muslim Community.

The USPFJ, therefore, categorically condemns the brutal actions of the regime against Ethiopian Muslim Community. We also demand the Ethiopian current regime to unconditionally stop interfering in the religious affairs of the Ethiopian Muslim and further demand it to bring those who are responsible for planning, arresting, intimidating, terrorizing and killing the Ethiopian Muslim community to an independent Justice where international observers will be its part. Finally, we ask all Ethiopian nations and nationalities to stand with the Ethiopian Muslim Community and unanimously condemn the brutal crackdown by the current regime and raise their voices together until Justice prevails on behalf of the Victims!!  

Let Ethiopian Muslim Community Decide on their religious Affairs without the involvement of government! Let the peoples of Ethiopian nations and nationalities be free and decide on their own affairs!  

United Sidama Parties for Freedom and Justice (USPFJ),

August 8, 2013

The USPFJ Wishes the Sidama Nation a Happy ‘Fichchee’ Sidama New Year!

United Sidama Parties for Freedom and Justice (USPFJ)

August 4, 2013

The Sidama New Year known as ‘Fichchee’ is practiced by the Sidama nation of north East Africa that lives in today’s southern Ethiopia. It’s one of the Sidama nation’s cultural heritages that uniquely characterize the nation. Fichchee has been celebrated since time immemorial. The celebration of the aforementioned Sidama New Year is officially conducted on two consecutive days although the festivity lasts for two weeks. In 2012, the Sidama New Year was celebrated on the 15^th and 16^th of August as per opinions of Sidama traditional Astrologists http://www.sidama.org/messages/2012-08-14-uspfj-wishes-sidama-happy-fichche.htm.  This year’s Fichchee and Cambalaalla celebration is going to be held on the 4^th and 5^th of August 2013 respectively.

The dates for the celebrations of Sidama New Year are decided by the Sidama Ayyaantto (exceptionally talented Sidama traditional Astrologists) those who attentively study the movements and positions of the stars before they decide the right dates to celebrate the Sidama Fichchee. This has been practiced for centuries by the Sidama society. The decision of Ayyaantto is influenced by strong beliefs that certain days bring good luck to the nation whereas others do the opposite. If the dates lie on a bad day, the Sidama Ayyaantto advice the nation to make the necessary sacrifices to the God the creator (Kalaqii Kaliiqiraa) to sanctify the date to switch it to the advantage of the nation.

The series of festivities taking places throughout Sidama land based on these several centuries old traditions of Sidama nation as explained by one of the Sidama writers for 2011’s Fichchee celebration-  read from the following link, http://www.sidama.org/calendrical/sidama-new-year-fichchee-2011.pdf.

During the 2012 Fichchee celebration as always the Sidama nation has shown its utmost civility when an estimated 1 million Sidamas gathered in the ‘Gudumaale’ (sacred and designated place where religious and New Year celebrations take place) of their capital city ‘Hawassa’ to celebrate their Fichchee. They concluded their celebration peacefully unlike their accusers who have prepared death traps for the nation although they fell short of achieving their heinous agendas. 

Last year’s celebration has taken place despite the numerous scaremongering propagandas of the current regime’s machineries alleging the Sidama nation as if it was prepared to loot and attack people from others ethnic backgrounds who have peacefully coexisted with Sidama for several decades. The regime in several occasions has disseminated terror scattering over a brigade army throughout Sidama region with additional tens of thousands of underground armed security forcers with strict orders to arrest, torture and kill the Sidama civilians if they find minor excuses.

However, the Sidama nation as always proved that the rulers were not only wrong- but also they were the ones who were criminals terrorizing peaceful and non-violent Sidama civilians. Last year the regime imprisoned 1000s of Sidama civilians with false allegations for weeks and months following Fichchee celebration.

The Sidama nation has shown its customary patience, farsightedness, civility, wisdom and indefatigable spirits during the last year’s Fichchee peacefully, but firmly demanding their constitutional rights to regional self determination that was denied by the regime in power for the last 22 years. During their celebration, the Sidama nation also unanimously cursed Sidama cadres who to date remain instrumental in blocking Sidama nation’s rights to the said privileges and demanded their unconditional resignations.

Whilst the Sidama nation is preparing to welcome this year’s Fichchee as we speak, the incumbent regime is once again disseminating their scaremongering propaganda emphasizing that the Sidamas can’t celebrate their New Year in the Gudumaale of their capital city Hawassa where they celebrated Fichchee for centuries. The regime is also scattering army and security forces throughout the Sidama region as they did during the last year’s Fichchee to hinder and block the Sidama nation from exercising their cultural rights, totally disregarding their constitution. The scaremongering campaign is said to have reached its climax as the USPFJ releases this well wish.

Therefore, the USPFJ strongly demand the incumbent regime to unconditionally stop terrorizing the Sidama nation whose people are prepared to welcome their Fichchee as others peoples of the world whose nations peacefully welcome their respective New Years.

The United Sidama Parties for Freedom and Justice wishes a Happy Sidama New Year -Fichchee for the nation and strongly advices its people to stand on its principles of non-violent and peaceful resistance as it has done always to unconditionally demand their rights to unanswered quests. The USPFJ also wishes all those who live in Sidamaland with Sidama people peacefully a Happy Sidama New Year (Fichchee) and advice them to stand with the Sidama nation in demanding their constitutional rights to regional self determination instead of becoming accomplices of the incumbent regime that rejoices by the sufferings of civilians and triumphs over the death of the unarmed and powerless.

Let this Fichchee brings unity and prosperity to Sidama nation and others Ethiopian nations and nationalities!! Let this Fichchee brings Justice, Success, Wealth, Ultimate Freedom and Liberty to Sidama nation and all subjugated nations and nationalities. Let this Fichchee brings lasting solution for Sidama nation’s century old injustice which the successive regimes including the current one continue to impose! Let this year becomes free where the free will of the nation triumph over brutality and terror!! 

Let’s stand shoulder to shoulder whilst celebrating Fichchee and unanimously say Fichchee Jejii Jejii, Sidaamu Dagoomaho ellii, Bushshateni Sidaama laanoha badhera daawarii!!

Fichchee Diruni Diro Ilishshi!!

United Sidama Parties for Freedom and Justice (USPFJ), 

August 4, 2013

FICHCHEE: The Sidama people’s New Year Celebration as one of the most distinguished peculiar features of the Sidama people

5AUG

Ayide Cambalala!!

By MTT

Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia

05 August 2013                                         

 What is Fichchee? / What is the basis for establishment of Sidama people calendar? and what are the necessary events occurring before and after Fiche Celebration?

 Fichchee is an anniversary celebrated by the Sidama people as a New Year event. According to socio-cultural heritages handed down by forefathers through generations to descendants (current generation) Sidama New Year (Fichhcee) anniversary has been celebrated for more than 2000 years. Basis for such unique local New Year’s Day determination and celebration is Sidama calendar which was an outcome of unreserved and relentless innovative efforts of selected knowledgeable and highly respected group of people who were actively involved in profound study of the solar system among which the moon, earth, sun and stars included. According to Sidama people such complicated investigations on part of the solar system is conducted and findings communicated to the public by most intelligent group of people popularly known as Ayyantto (“Astrologists”).

 Since period of ancient time up to present this selected group of people has been undertaking comprehensive study on characteristics including shape, color, volume, distance between each other, mobility, change of their position through time and related situations of the solar system. To accomplish very tasks of such unique phenomenon in the locality they get out of their living house at midnight and assemble outside and observe situations of the moon and stars for several hours a day for at least four to six days per month. Most of the time they perform such tasks collectively and some occasions they carry out their study individually. When undertaking investigation in group each will present analyzed findings of what he has observed and thoroughly discussions on observations and findings will be made to arrive at plausible conclusion. If observations and related investigations done individually investigation findings will be presented on appointed time and place where general meeting of the group held.

According to discussion procedure principle of Sidama which is termed as the Affini system (have you heard system) before reaching to conclusions /declaring on issues of special public affairs of interest implementation of the Affini system procedure is strictly observed to realize its exercise. Therefore before making conclusion remarks and declaration on issues of public importance the Affini principle strongly presupposes application of its procedure to be not only essential but also mandatory. According to Sidama people Affini system (have you heard?) every selected topic of interest to be discussed by the public, general assembly of associations, groups and on this special assembly of Ayyantto (local astrologists) discussions should fulfill  requirement of set criteria of the Affini system.

According to Affini principle first and foremost agenda for discussion should be selected/chosen by assembly member and approved at least by the majority. The assembly is led by elected chair person and/or highly respected community leader or cultural leader. The chair person opens the floor for discussion inviting members to forward suggestions on the agenda. He receives two or more supplementary ideas for the suggestion provided. Following this the leader invites members to forward views against the suggestion. Maintaining application of the system he invites two or three members to forward evidences supporting the one who objected previous suggestion. After giving adequate time for both groups to vent out their opinion he further calls up on all members of the assembly to actively participate on this essentially all rounded discussion the outcome of which is expected to produce reliable findings very important to make plausible conclusions and recommendations.

 To collect evidence based information from suggestions /opinions or comments which serve as pro or against the groups the chairperson opens the floor and invites members to enable them actively involved in discussions through asking questions, make comments, amendments, clarifications, participating in dialogues and debates, forwarding decisions, making critical evaluation of evidences given by the two groups, suggesting possible conclusion and recommendations and the like. Adequate time will be allocated by the chairperson for discussants to enable them participate whole heartedly on such thorough and indeed detailed and all rounded discussions meant to produce most dependable evidences which is of vital importance to make credible decisions. In the discussion process ideas which instigate irrelevant disputes, disregard, disrespect, insult, under estimations, gossips, and blabs, black mailing and related opinions which create hostility between supporters of two parties will not be entertained.

Application of aforementioned steps of the Affini system procedure is so strictly observed for it is considered as not only essential but also mandatory to produce reliable evidence very much needed to pass non partisan resolution, produce evidence based findings needed to fortify strength of conclusion and recommendations made to be declared on behalf of represented public and its spiritually trustful socio-cultural heritages (Sidama).

The purpose of undertaking such meticulous Affini system implementation activities found its basis in that Sidama people believe in Magano (God) who is omnipotent, omnipresent, the all can do , creator of everything that exists, among others he is Truth. Based on this opinion of their own they believed that Magano (God) is Truth and during our stay on this land all activities we undertake/behave should be concordant to general truth (where creator remains disposer of everything). Depending on this governing idea Sidama people believe that while living in this world we have to try our level best to find out correct pathway of truth and live with. It is the opinion of Sidama people that no matter huge sacrifice demanding the cost of truth becomes we have to be bound to do, behave, act, talk, etc and all our deed in life should conform with reality(Truth).

 It is to realize this belief that they dedicated themselves to be so meticulous to critically evaluate deeds, behaviors, innovations and the like on reality basis before declaring public issues of importance which need to be implemented to serve development enhancing purpose of the people. Mentioned description of events was deliberately made to avoid confusions that innovative activities of Sidama’s Ayyantto (local astrologists) which enabled the people have their own new year (Fichchee) to celebrate as one of indisputable gains of Sidama calendar the establishment of which was an outcome of relentless and indeed unprecedented efforts of Sidama people made before 2000 years. Over all events that led to establishment of Sidama calendar was based on Moon’s position, movement, shape, color, direction, etc and courses it follows to rotate on itself, revolves around the earth and the sun. Moreover its spatial relations to other stars and their position, movements (appearing separated or close to the moon and/or to each other) were some the events which Sidama astrologists had close observations and investigated their overall function to produce evidences of vital importance to establish the calendar.

 Based on investigation findings of the Ayyantto (“Sidama astrologists”)   and according to established calendar Sidama has a week comprising of five days. Names of days of the week were derived from market days occurring in different places and were name as Diko, Deella, Kawaado and Kawalanka respectively. According to the calendar a month has 28 days and each day has its own name. According to the Ayyantto some days of the month on which day some work is done, travel made, foundation of new establishment and the like done may end up in good luck or bad luck to performer. Declaration of first day of next month and that of first day of New Year (Fichchee) will be announced when the Ayyantto see close approximation of the moon to five constellations of stars with defined movements observed in relation to each other and to that of the moon. Since establishment of the calendar activities have been undertaken by Ayyantto in each month and year through out in regular basis till present time.

History of Sidama calendar with its relationship with overall socio-economic, socio-cultural and related affairs is broad and so wider that it cannot be exhausted in such very limited description and for simplicity only few events encountered in relation with Fiche (Sidama’s New Year) events will be entertained briefly.

 Preparation to celebrate forth coming new year (Fichchee) will start soon after second month of the new year celebration  has occurred in mid year (6th month) most house wives start preparing through processing the Enset plant after cutting it mashing its stem and root together with mixing it Gamancho (preserved root serving to ferment it thereby giving it desirable flavor). After lapse of months prepared kocho will be squeezed to let it dry and become ready to be used for preparation. Squeezed liquid coming out from solid kocho will be let to settle and dry to produce high quality kocho which is otherwise known as Bulla (kocho which is paper white in color and indeed of best quality).  Better to be used on the celebration day will be started to be collected and reserved before 04 months of celebration. To put / save adequate reserve house wives engage in working collectively so that every house hold has sufficient amount of better to be used on celebration day. Collection and putting as reserve of wood will be made several months before the celebration for on that day no one is expected and even culturally allowed to go to bush to gather it. Every necessary materials (wood, kocho, better, water, furniture, goods, utensils, etc) will be ready at least one week prior to celebration day.

 One month prior to celebrating anniversary of Fiche particularly community elders, leaders and cultural leaders will start one month lasting fasting. During their fasting period they pray longer hours per day praising the lord (Magano). They initially pray for their own selves praising the lord that he forgives them from whatever sins committed and misdoings they underwent in the last year. After that start to pray through  praising the lord on behalf of their people (indigenous) other people living with them by and large the country so that almighty who is the all can do forgive them all and the country at large from all sins committed, misbehavior, misdoings, malpractices done and the like. Moreover they use left period of time to communicate with members of communities who got involved in conflicts, disputes and the like between each other, families, sub –clans, ethnic groups, religious groups and the like in attempt of bringing about reconciliations /conflict resolutions. In addition to this they communicate with  representatives of other communites cultural and religious leaders, local administrators,  representatives of other social groups including women, youth, farmers, workers, professionals, intellectuals and others involved and concerned to effectively deal with problems of various sorts encountered in their geared attempt of bringing about reconcilations doing away socio – economic , socio – cultural, ethnic, religious and other related clashes, disputes and/or clashes occurred between  (individuals, families, ethnic groups and others involved and concerned before  declared time for eve of  new year’s celebration approaches.  Moreover fulfillment of  socio – cultural heritages  including Fiche  celebration, respect, preservation and protection directing cultural law strongly presupposes that each adult element or every member of Sidama is expected to meet  requirement for set objectives of Fiche celebration among which says that the people being  led by community elders, leaders and cultural leaders should make inner heart felt prayer with their leaders including praising the creator/ God /Magano  from 1st day of fasting and praying to 30thday (1 month) through period of which they make prayer and respectfully demand magano/God to bring about realization of  best wish they have to  all human beings  that let coming new year  of Fiche celebration be time of health, peace,unity, work, prosperity, security, tolerance of diversity and by and large welfarity to all living things (animals and plants as well)  particularly in this strict sense to all humans irrespective of race, ethnicity,citzenship, age, sex,location of residence, religion, culture, ideology,outlook, education/intelligence levels, wealth, social status, difference in levels/status of responsibilities or rank of power they possess to lead people in given localities or countries and the like) so that forthcoming new year  be made to serve purpose of maintaining love with each other, harmony, fraternity, brother/ sister hood, harmony, unity and such conducive atmosphere be used to increase levels of productivity in all sorts of efforts to enhance and strengthen levels of health development and development advancement in the country.

Before two weeks of celebration day the Ayyantto of Sidama get out of their residential house at mid night and very carefully observe and investigate situations occurring in and around the moon and after they confirm relation of the moon to constellations of the stars they unanimously reach to agree as when the day of new year celebration will be  and they declare this event celebration day usually on market days and using other means heralding day of celebration of new year as decided by all of them.

 Eve of the New Year is popularly called Fitaari (eve of Sidama’s new year: Fiche). During this event households residing nearby most elder person and family gather in house of this eldest father to celebrate the event. As mentioned above preparation made by each household to celebrate new year was over long before several months and Kocho / preferably Bulla prepared and mixed with needed amount of butter  depending on type of  (waasa preparation requiring increased amount of butter as that happens/seen  in Chukame, Buurisame and Shaqishame which is contained in material made of clay soil called Shaafeeta or Shaaqqo respectively).together with milk collected will be served to those who gather as a feast prepared to welcome  the new year. Similar events celebration occasions occurs on that very special event in each household in the communities.

On such event celebration day only Waasa/Bu’la/ kocho full of butter and milk is served in the meal no meat included. Even on that very night meat should not be left in any of Sidama household. Early on the first day of new Fichchee year sons/ daughters, grandsons/daughters and other relatives come to house of the eldest leader and say Ayidde Cambbalaalla (Happy new year!) and Mam and  Dad of their children and grand children will respond by saying Iille/ Iilli (Happy new year to you and to all!). In the mean time water full of Tiltte (Utensil on which kocho is served) will be presented infront on whose upper edge small better is put on the top edge of it taken to anoint on ones forehead and there after everybody say let Fiche comes every year, happy new year,  and also say long live Fiche and its celebration!!!!. .

Ever body who appears to this eldest father’s home shares from what is available.  Exactly similar events occur in every household of Sidama communities. On this day young children of communities will go to every household of which their parents have preferably better relationship even if this is not mandatory and they share from whatever staffs available after consuming of which they play cultural songs and dances relevant to and indeed chosen for celebration of Sidama’s new year (Fiche). On this very day children are left to relax and enjoy from the celebration and they are not expected to be fetch water, look after cattle, and perform any tasks in and out of their houses, compounds and villages. Moreover due attention is placed on domesticated animals (cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, horses, mules, etc) and they will be made to graze from grass left to flourish for months to be used by animals on this very day which shows that utmost emphasis has been placed even to enable animals enjoy the day and as a matter of fact way no animal is slaughtered on this very day for consumption of their meat. After enjoying from the feast prepared for the celebration every social group will go to chosen place for celebration of the new year and show their participation on celebrating the event. Boys and girls join group of cultural songs and dance called Faaro / Lembbo and those group of married men and women join Hano (Cultural dance involving only married women and men) , other group which include matured male particularly and women and boys./girls to some extent join songs/ dances prepared to adore and witness importance of this great Fichchee new year celebration.

 Even though culture of Sidama people strongly presupposes giving alms and providing of any available and affordable support to the poorest of poor, this new year’s celebration gives utmost emphasis on providing support to those who are poor, infected and affected by communicable diseases including HIV–AIDS .STIS, vulnerable children, the elderly and those who were handicapped as a result of which providing support to such groups has been considered as most essential part of Sidama’s new year celebration. Celebrating the newyear will continue till one month in every area most importantly newyear’s celebration will continue through making/playing cultural songs, dances and chanting on various market places. Moreover this occasion of celebrating new year’s anniversary incidentally used by overwhelming majority of Sidama people to actively participate on escalating coordinated efforts being made to bring about concerted and conjoint collaborative efforts of all which is of vital importance to reduce further spread of communicable diseases including HIV–AIDS and mitigate its adverse effects and reduce poverty levels in Sidama zone in particular and our country in general. This is only most precise and concise description made pertaining events in most likely encountered and  well taken care of in  Sidama’s new year ( Fichchee ) celebration.