Tag Archives: african heritage
Yahode Festival: Beacon for peace, reconciliation, and renewal in Ethiopia
Written by: Habtamu Gizawu Tola & Xanthippi Kontogianni
Ethiopia’s rich cultural landscape is a testament to its diverse heritage, and the Yahode festival stands as one of the most vibrant expressions of this legacy. Celebrated annually by the Hadiya people in the Central region, Yahode marks the New Year and is a significant Thanksgiving event, embodying the values of peace, reconciliation, and renewal. More than just a cultural celebration, Yahode offers organizations like the Heritage Management Organization a unique opportunity to forge connections with local stakeholders, assess the needs of Ethiopia’s heritage sector, and enhance heritage management capabilities in a meaningful way.
At the heart of Yahode is a powerful transition—from the darkness of the old year to the brightness of the new—imbued with forgiveness, gratitude, and the promise of fresh beginnings. This festival is a living symbol of unity and social cohesion, critical to the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of sustainable development. It showcases both the tangible and intangible aspects of Hadiya culture, from intricately decorated clothing and traditional cuisine to ritual prayers, conflict resolution systems, and dynamic performances of traditional songs. Yahode encapsulates the essence of living heritage, offering a snapshot of the values and practices that define the Hadiya community.
The festival begins with “Atakana Night,” a symbolic eve of transformation marked by cultural bazaars, panel discussions, community dialogues, and fashion shows. This gathering involves a broad spectrum of participants, from local community members and cultural organizations to government stakeholders, all contributing to the festival’s dynamic atmosphere. Following the eve, the main day of Yahode unfolds with a solemn blessing and prayer ceremony led by elders, giving thanks for the past year and seeking peace and unity for the year ahead. Traditional songs and dances performed by youth groups, alongside the Damara (Tomora) ceremony—where decorated firewood is blessed and burned to symbolize new beginnings—enrich the celebration. The day culminates in the ceremonial slaughtering of a specially selected ox, its meat shared among participants, reinforcing community unity and collective celebration.
The Yahode festival represents far more than a celebration of heritage; it is a microcosm of the social, economic, and spiritual fabric of the Hadiya people. The active participation of the Heritage Management Organization, represented by Habtamu Gizawu Tola (focal person of HERITΛGE in Ethiopia), at the Yahode festival on September 27-28, 2024, provided an invaluable platform for achieving two key objectives: building robust networks with stakeholders and gaining a deeper understanding of the local heritage sector’s strengths and needs. Engaging in such cultural events is crucial for organizations seeking to not only preserve heritage but also integrate it into broader developmental goals. By embedding itself in the cultural life of Ethiopia’s communities, the Heritage Management Organization can play a transformative role in ensuring that Ethiopia’s rich heritage continues to drive social and economic progress, fostering a future where cultural legacy and modern development walk hand in hand.
*Habtamu Gizawu Tola is HERITΛGE’s focal representative in Ethiopia and has also taken the photos featured here. Xanthippi Kontogianni is the organization’s Ethiopia Heritage Manager.
19 African heritage projects receive small grants
The Nakore Mosque in Northern Ghana is one of the three mosques being restored with funding from our HerMaP Africa grants
The Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE) is pleased to announce the first 19 recipients of its HerMaP Africa small grants for organizations, groups, and individuals working with heritage in Africa. The HerMaP Africa initiative is generously supported by the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place program.
In the first round, over $220,000 has been awarded to projects that focus on the protection and promotion of local cultural and natural heritage and aim to contribute to the socio-economic development of local communities and beyond. By the end of 2024, $1 million will have been awarded in small grants to African heritage projects.
“These grants aim to unlock the potential of heritage in Africa and make a difference for the development of local communities,” said HERITΛGE Director, Dr. Evangelos Kyriakidis. “Heritage has the ability to empower, and we are confident that in partnership with local organizations, we can help create sustainable development and safeguard local heritage for generations to come.”
To receive a small grant from the HerMaP Africa program, applicants have to demonstrate that their project has a lasting impact, develops capacity, builds networks, strengthens local skills, and has a strong, measurable impact for the protection of heritage and the benefit of local people.
“We are already seeing the effect the grant is having in transforming these valuable heritage resources for the community,” says Dr. Mahmoud Malik Saako of the Ghana Museum and Monuments Board, an assistant director of museums and project manager of the Islamic Heritage in northern Ghana, one of the first projects to receive a grant. The project aims to restore three old mosques, products of the long-distance trade networks that once existed in Northern Ghana. Located along the old trade routes, there are ten remaining mosques in the region, all facing challenges posed by modernization, arabization, and climate change.
“The mosques are tangible evidence of the material culture and history of northern Ghana and are part of the valuable heritage resources of local communities. The communities realize the need to restore them as part of their culture and history and to develop ecotourism around them. Their preservation will go a long way to pave the way for their eventual inscription onto the World Monuments List,” adds Dr. Mahmoud.
A full list of the projects that have been awarded small grants can be found here.
Applications are still being accepted for the third round of small grants for heritage projects. Find out more and apply here.
About HerMaP-Africa: Made possible by a $5 million grant from the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place program, HerMaP Africa aims to strengthen HERITΛGE’s Africa programs, fund initiatives that link heritage with socio-economic impact, develop the capacity of local organizations, and help them preserve African heritage and culture.
About The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation: The Mellon Foundation is the largest supporter of the arts and humanities in the United States. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. The Foundation believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom that can be found there. Through its grants, it seeks to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. Learn more at mellon.org.
