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Adabina is a traditional cultural celebration observed by the Kistane (or Soddo) Gurage and Dobi peoples, held after the conclusion of Meskel, typically from late September to mid-October. The festival is especially dedicated to young women and men, featuring traditional festivities such as dancing, games, and courtship rituals.

Etymology

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Adabina represents one of the long-standing cultural institutions maintained under the customary laws of the Gordena Sera, spanning several centuries.[1] According to local tradition, there are two main explanations for the name's etymology. One interpretation links it to “Adam and Eve” (Adamna Hewan in Ge'ez), shortened locally to Adamna, reflecting the way young men and women interact and engage with one another during the festival, symbolizing the bond of the first couple. Another explanation connects the term to the words Adey and Bina - Adey referring to the native yellow flower that blooms around the Ethiopian New Year in September, and Bina meaning “bright day.” This version associates the festival with the change of seasons and the renewal marked by this time of year.

Background

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Adabina is typically celebrated one week after Meskel. In certain areas, however, it may begin earlier, as some localities traditionally observe it on a fixed date unique to that area. For example, the festivities of Adabina are commonly attributed to start at the district of Anati, north of Bui.

Adabina is typically celebrated in two types of settings: at a large marketplace or field, and close to a local parish. At marketplaces, non-Soddo/Dobi fellow Gurages or other ethnic groups adjacent to these areas who frequent these markets may also join and celebrate. This is most evident at Kela, Dobi, and Acheber Gebeyas. Adabina is also where the "Muyet" people, a marginalized group with their own language, can freely participate in celebrations and display their culture.[2]

Popular places widely renowned for Adabina celebrations include Kela on Saturday, Anati Kidanemihret on Meskerem 16, Gefersa Giyorgis on Meskerem 17, Damu Genet on Thursday Meskerem 21, and Dobi Gebeya on Monday in Meskerem 19, among others.[3] The festivities of Adabina typically last for approximately three weeks. Although they are observed on different dates across various districts, the celebration officially concludes on Tikimt 5 (October 15) with the feast day of St. Gebremenfes Kidus, which is celebrated at Midre Kebd Abo—the patron saint of the Kistane.[4]

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Churches

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  • Gereno Selassie
  • Gefersa Giyorgis
  • Anati Kidanemihret
  • Genet Mariam
  • Tiya Mariam
  • Welenshu Medhanealem

Markets and fields

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  • Kela Kidame Gebeya (Saturday)
  • Suten Gebeya
  • Adele Arb Gebeya (Friday)
  • Dachi Hamus Gebeya (Thursday)
  • Aymellel Yitene Meda
  • Fato Meda
  • Keshet Erob Gebeya (Wednesday)
  • Acheber Arb Gebeya (Friday)
  • Jole Qechey
  • Rifenso Ketema
  • Damu Erob Ketema (Wednesday)
  • Wegeram Keti Meda & Koratuni
  • Dobi Segno Gebeya (Monday)
  • Welenshu Segno Gebeya (Monday)
  • Sost Amba (Weynamba) Hamus Gebeya (Thursday)
  • Kechinamba Wertebo
  • Segenet Gebeya
  • Lemamer Gebeya
  • Goga Chefiye
  • Argume Cherchera Gebeya (Thursday)
  • Zebidar Arb Gebeya (Friday)

Festives

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Adabina is often referred to synonymously as "Yemetechacha K’en", or “courtship day.” Among the various festivities, one of the most distinctive customs involves a courtship ritual during the dancing. Young girls, wearing the traditional Shiruba, Tirimbo, or Merti hairstyles, will dance and sing traditional songs. Young men express their interest by tossing a lemon or candy toward a young woman they are interested in courting. If the girl picks it up, this gesture is understood as a sign of acceptance. Following this, the young man sends his friends and relatives to visit the girl’s parents to formally inquire about marriage, similar to the customs observed during Timket (Epiphany).[5]

Common games played include

  • Nejo Arajo
  • Saba
  • Agati Zelay
  • Ye Bitir Zila

References

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  1. ^ Watge, Ye Gordena Shengo (April 1994). Gordena Shengo. Addis Ababa: Kistane Limat Mahber. p. 19.
  2. ^ Yehualashet, Teshome (August 2005). "Muyet/Adabenna Festival in Dobbi". Journal of Academy of Ethiopian Languages and Cultures. XXIII: 86.
  3. ^ Demokrasawi Tikilaloch, Sodo Gordena Sebabi (May 1994). Ye Kistane Gurage Emet Tarik. Addis Ababa. p. 58.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ Tadesse, Walelign (August 3, 2020). Change and Continuity in Traditional System of Local Governance: The Case of Ye-Gordena Sera of Kistane-Gurage of Ethiopia. VDM Verlag Dr. Müller. p. 28.
  5. ^ Gebreyes, Tesfa. Aymellel. p. 76.