15/10/2025
Untold story of “Adabena”-youth’s festival
BY GASHAW TADESSE
The Gurage people, who live south of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, are renowned for their vibrant cultural heritage. Their way of life, which is reflected in their traditional clothing, melodious music, vernacular architecture, weddings, and values, offers a unique window into Ethiopia’s diverse cultural tapestry. From festive holidays to captivating traditions, the Gurage community presents endless reasons for discovery. Among their most celebrated holidays are Meskel (the Finding of the True Cross) and Arafah (a sacred Islamic festival), both widely known as times of family reunion. During these days, roads become busy, and buses are not only filled with passengers but also loaded with large amounts of luggage as they head to the countryside of Gurage.
Many writers and media outlets have shed light on Gurage traditions such as Ketefo (a ceremonial dish served to guests), traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, communal savings systems, and other cultural practices. Yet, one of the most fascinating Gurage traditions—the annual youth festival of Adabena—has received remarkably little attention. This absence in the media and academic research is puzzling. Is it truly not newsworthy? My own cherished childhood memories say otherwise. I feel compelled to put pen to paper to share this vibrant, yet overlooked, cultural gem.
A Youth festival lost in plain sight
Believed to have been celebrated for centuries, Adabena is a youth carnival observed across much of the Gurage community. Its very name carries meaning: when someone behaves unexpectedly, there’s a saying—“Begerezena Adabena”— which loosely translates as “the old have no place in Adabena.” It is, in every sense, a festival of and for the youth.
The celebration begins in September, coinciding with the blooming of Addey Ababa, Ethiopia’s endemic yellow flower, and the greening of the countryside. It lasts in October, drawing together young people from rural villages and urban towns alike.
Immediately after Meskel, open fields and bustling market squares—particularly in Kistane Bete Gurage—transform into vibrant stages for Adabena. Youths dressed in colorful attire fill the grounds, while even merchants pause their trading to join in the spectacle.
Songs, dances, and voices in harmony
Preparations for Adabena begin well in advance. Youths craft and tune their instruments, cut and style their hair, and purchase striking clothing to showcase at the event. The atmosphere on the day resembles a grand fashion show, with handmade traditional garments and intricate hairstyles distinguishing the married from the unmarried. Compliments spark conversations, and new friendships are often forged amid the colorful display.
Groups of young men and women traverse rivers and mountains to reach the festival
grounds, carrying traditional instruments such as the Kebero (drum) and Turumeba (trumpet). Their journey is accompanied by songs of joy. When their voices converge— deep, chest-born “ho… ho…” chants from the men mingling with the lighter “eyhe… eyhe…” calls of the women—the harmony is electrifying.
On the festival grounds, participants gather in circles. Each group, led by a singer and a drummer, welcomes anyone to join the dancing. Typically, two or three dancers take turns showcasing Gurage’s energetic traditional steps. The performances radiate joy and a spirit of community. The festival usually lasts half a day, from noon until dusk, after which the youth return home still singing and dancing. But the memories linger—an affirmation of tradition, togetherness, and possibility.
Horses, games, and rituals of youth
Beyond singing and dancing, Adabena features horse racing, a thrilling highlight that elevates the festival’s excitement. Riders decorate their horses and wield slender sticks called Kechle, striking each other mid-race in displays of skill and daring.
Cultural games, such as acrobatic leaps over human shoulders, add further spectacle to the day. The game is kicks off when someone is sharing a small ball by throwing into the air while others compete to grab it before landing. To take part in this game, players must possess strong jumping skills and the ability to maintain their balance.
Parents send their children without hesitation, trusting in the celebration’s safety and communal spirit. Brides and grooms also attend, accompanied by friends and shaded by traditional umbrellas, adding further festivity to the gathering.
Handmade traditional clothes featuring new designs are showcased at this event. Since everyone strives to look beautiful, the festival atmosphere resembles a fashion show. This vibrant display of creativity and style not only enhances the festive spirit but also fosters a sense of community among attendees. As people admire each other’s outfits, conversations spark, often leading to the formation of new friendships during the celebration.
A meeting place for hearts
Like other Ethiopian youth festivals such as Ashenda in the north and Shinoye in Oromia, Adabena is more than entertainment—it is a social arena where young people meet, court, and even proposes marriage. Unlike arranged unions, proposals at Adabena emerge spontaneously, often marked by simple gestures: a lemon tossed playfully or a stick of chewing gum offered. Elders help facilitate matches, and it is common for couples who meet here to return together the following year. I personally knew plenty of couples who began their relationships at the Adabena Festival, which served as the starting point for successful marriages. They have fond memories of the event and recommend that single people attend to find their own love. In this respect, Adabena serves as a platform for maintaining and strengthening friendships among participants. Many attendees travel from remote cities and even abroad to reconnect with school and childhood friends. It primarily leaves a lasting impression on the attendees.
Echoes of Adabena in music
The festival has inspired musicians, including the young Gurage singer Feleke Maru. His popular song celebrates a girl dancing at the heart of Adabena, capturing the festival’s charm and romance. Sung widely during the celebration, the music preserves the spirit of the tradition and ensures its relevance among the youth.
Another young singer, Zewde Tekalign, expresses the vibrant cultural practices of Adabena through his artwork. He particularly emphasizes its role as a space for finding love and building relationships.
The culture of the community is reflected in Adabena, where the beauty of the girls blooms like flowers as they dance on the Adabena grounds. Additionally, the acrobatic leap, a unique characteristic of Adabena, is vividly described.
Why Adabena matters
For centuries, Adabena has been a cornerstone of Gurage identity, yet it remains largely invisible in wider cultural narratives. Its blend of music, dance, fashion, sport, and romance makes it one of Ethiopia’s most colorful festivals. With greater recognition, Adabena could also become a cultural tourism highlight, offering visitors a window into the creativity and vitality of Gurage youth. Government offices in collaboration with associations such as Adabena Bekistane International Youth Association have initiated activities to expand the festival beyond Gurage and to establish it as a recognized intangible cultural heritage worldwide.
In sharing this story, I hope more people will come to appreciate the beauty of Adabena. For those eager to truly understand it, no description suffices—only participation will. Step into the circle, hear the drums, feel the songs, and witness the joy of Ethiopia’s hidden youth carnival.
You can reach the writer at: [email protected]
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2025
