The Potential Social Benefits of Gifaataa Celebration of Wolaita

Authors

  • Meshesha Make Jobo College of Social Sciences and Humanities Wolaita Sodo University Ethiopia
  • Abraham Kebede Alambo College of Social Sciences and Humanities Wolaita Sodo University
  • Simeon Emanie Tora College of Social Sciences and Humanities Wolaita Sodo University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18533/journal.v6i2.958

Keywords:

Celebration, Event-Marketing, Gifaataa, Social Benefits, Wolaita.

Abstract

This study was intended to explore the potential social benefits of 'Gifaataa' Celebration of Wolaita (GCW). The subjects used were 600 individuals selected by availability sampling and 12 elders selected by purposive sampling (by their deep knowledge of overall indigenous wisdom of Wolaita) from six selected Woredas of Wolaita Zone. The descriptive survey research design was used having the quantitative and qualitative data collected through questionnaire, face-to-face interview and FGD. The analysis was made using the eclectic approach of data analysis. The result indicated that GCW has various potential social benefits: It creates and strengthens social ties by different events. It is a venture through which Wolaitas avoid bad and evil activities through elders’ counselling and it is a vehicle through which Wolaita’s indigenous language and culture are transferred to the next generation. Furthermore, Gifaataa is also a venture for promoting the social transformation of individuals.

Author Biographies

  • Meshesha Make Jobo, College of Social Sciences and Humanities Wolaita Sodo University Ethiopia

    Department of English Language and Literature

    Assistant Professor of English Languag and Indigenous Studies'

     

  • Abraham Kebede Alambo, College of Social Sciences and Humanities Wolaita Sodo University

    Department of English Language and Literature

    Lecturer

  • Simeon Emanie Tora, College of Social Sciences and Humanities Wolaita Sodo University

    Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

    Lecturer of Geography

References

Asella Gujubo. (2012). Early Wolaita and Kaffa. Addis Ababa: Artistic Printing Enterprise.

Barne, K. (1991). Profiles in African Traditional Popular Culture: Consensus and Conflict, Dance, Drama, Festival and Funerals, Clear Type Press, Inc, New York.

Bruce,W., Terry, H., and Brian W. (2012). Cultural and Heritage Tourism: A Handbook for Community Champions. Canada: Federal Provincial Territorial Ministers of Culture and Heritage.

Clark-Ekong, S. (1997). Traditional Festivals in the Political Economy: The Case of Contemporary Ghana: Journal of Social Development in Africa. vol.12 (2): 49-60.

Hail Gabriel Meleku. (2007). Monogamous Marriage among Wolaita Christians of Ethiopia (1894-2004). Roma: Lateranensis University Press.

LADCA, (2003). Festivals. Los Angeles: Department of Cultural Affairs.

Lyck, L. Long, P. and Xenius, A. (2012). Tourism, Festivals and Cultural Events in Times of Crisis. Denmark: Copenhagen Business School Publications.

Meshesha, M., Abraham K. and Simon, E. (2016). Factors Threatening the Maintenance and Inter-generational Transfer of Gifaataa Celebration of Wolaita: International Journal of African and Asian Studies. vol.18: 47-51.

Mohammed, H. (2014). Gifaataa Celebration of Wolaita. Hawassa, Tedi Printing Press.

SNNPR SA. (2007). The Population Data of South Region. Hawassa: SNNPR Regional Statistics Agency.

Downloads

Published

2017-02-26

Issue

Section

Article

Similar Articles

1-10 of 240

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.