Sheka People Pledge Harmony and Gratitude for New Year

Mashikaro Baro, which cleanses the past and pledges harmony, is an opportunity for families, relatives, and the community to unite.

The host stated that this event serves as an opportunity for families, relatives, and the community to forgive conflicts and unite as one.

Traditional dance and song performances, involving only selected artists with cultural expertise, symbolize respect for the king and community cohesion.

Artists perform acts symbolizing respect for the king and community cohesion.

The festival is not merely a holiday but functions as a venue for social cohesion and resource sharing, where the king and organization lead harmony.

The king and his subordinate organizations have an administrative system that leads community harmony.

This festival functions as an important venue for social cohesion and resource sharing, beyond a simple holiday.

Deputy Administrator Alemayehu Gezahegn viewed this occasion as a forum where the king and advisors publicly present their work performance over the past year.

Deficiencies are evaluated and personnel changes are made to complement the administrative system.

It demonstrates a case where the traditional administrative system combines with democratic development to strengthen transparency and accountability in the local community.

The Kaffa King attended as a congratulatory envoy, confirming historical ties with the Sheka people, a brotherly nation.

In addition to 8 waterfalls, there are also mountain lakes in this region, and there are only two places in Ethiopia with mountain lakes.

There was a request for TikTokers and media professionals to convey this message to the Prime Minister and to look at the mountain waterfalls with an 'eagle's eye'.

The Sheka people celebrate their traditional system based on agriculture and peace through the Mashikaro Baro festival. Addis Alem Dakteu, one of the seven advisors, explained that this festival plays a historical role in mediating conflicts and leading peaceful generational change.

The Mashikaro Baro festival serves to resolve conflicts and disputes that occurred during the year through mediation and to achieve a peaceful transition.

Addis Alem Dakteu announced that the festival would begin with the religious ritual 'Demera' from the 16th to the 17th.

After the king completes the Demera ritual, the start of the New Year is announced with drum sounds (negarit), and the festival is approved.

During the festival, traditional laws called 'Timo' and 'Shero' are proclaimed, and the 'Jubo dance' is performed in three age groups: fathers, women, and children.

The festival is a community event that goes beyond merely changing dates, to cleanse past conflicts and seek forgiveness.

It also serves as an important occasion to strengthen community cohesion and reaffirm traditional social norms.

The traditional governance system 'Kimo na Sheyro' resolves complex conflicts outside of legal institutions through discussion and reconciliation.

Elders and leaders proclaimed social rules, emphasizing that this festival is not just a game but a major decision-making venue for the local community.

The Ministry of Culture and Sports analyzed that the preservation of the Mashikaro Festival is highly effective in promoting tourism and contributing to the local economy.

The host raised the necessity of preliminary research and preparation procedures to analyze the timeless value of the festival and list it with international organizations such as UNESCO.

Pazo Sapi suggested the need to link the agendas of the Sheka Royal family and the government to achieve regional development such as forest conservation, youth job creation, and crime prevention.

Utilizing traditional customs can prevent resource waste and solve social problems within the region.

This cooperative model was proposed to be expanded to neighboring ethnic groups (including Benchi, Sheko, Menit, and Dizi), aiming for broad regional development.

Collaboration between the government and the royal family is expected to contribute to solving various problems in the community and achieving sustainable development.

The Mashikaro Baro festival is a festival of reconciliation and coexistence, helping people in conflict reconcile so that society can function productively.

The speaker reported that a total of 13,714 complaints have been received since the establishment of the traditional administrative system over the past three years.

Over the past three years, 12,46 complaints have been resolved, providing justice to over 21,000 people, and 3,525 cases have been finalized this year.

Many complaints were received from outside the region, including Addis Ababa and Oromia, as well as Turkey.

More than 24 million Birr was returned to victims, resolving delayed or denied financial issues.

Following the peaceful resolution of ownership disputes, 11 children who could not find their biological fathers were also reunited.

Rural land encroachment has significantly decreased, and residents' willingness and interest in development projects have increased.

Residents' participation in development has increased, and the practice of mixing and selling low-quality agricultural products has also been completely improved.

Traditional leaders who did not serve were dismissed, and the designation of Akakkarasha was also abolished after appropriate consultation.

Mr. Teshome was appointed as the successor to assist residents, which is a meaningful adjustment made within the traditional administrative structure.