×

Ethiopia🇪🇹 | festivalsFichee-ChambalaallaSidama New Year, buurisame, Gudumale, Hawassa processions | things to do and best time to go

Explore ChimbalalaExplore Kulubi Gabriel

Backpacking in Fichee-Chambalaalla
👌 Worth visitingfestival ranked #8
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Fichee-Chambalaalla costs you almost nothing to join, because the main events happen in open public squares and along streets where families simply welcome walkers in. It is the Sidama New Year festival, held in Hawassa in southern Ethiopia, on the shore of Lake Hawassa, a few hours south of Addis Ababa. Expect crowds in white and bright cloth, drumming, songs, and the smell of buttery dishes and roasting coffee. I expected a stiff, staged parade. Instead a stranger pulled me into a household circle and pressed a bowl of curd and ensete bread into my hands before I had said a word. Unlike the Meskel gathering in Addis Ababa, which is huge and official, this one stays close, communal and family-sized.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Ethiopia Travel Guide.
Safety warning

The current risk level for Ethiopia is high. Check the advice before going.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
landmarks
national parks
hikes
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #8 festival in EthiopiaWhat makes it a must-see festival

Fichee-Chambalaalla gives you something rare in Ethiopia: a major cultural celebration that a stranger can join without a ticket. The Sidama people mark their new year with a Fichee-Chambalaalla tradition built around shared food, and the host culture treats guests as part of the occasion. Spend a day wandering and you will be invited to taste buurisame, the festival’s signature dish of ensete (false banana) with butter, milk and curd. Conversations start easily, and elders happily explain what the songs and ceremonies mean. The other reason is how well it fits a southern loop. Hawassa sits on the route toward the Rift Valley lakes, Bale, and the Omo region, so the festival can anchor a trip rather than demand a detour. Accommodation is plentiful, and the lake gives you quiet afternoons between the noise. Go for the food and the welcome.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. Fichee-Chambalaalla celebration at Gudumale: The ceremonial heart of the festival, where elders gather and the community meets in a sacred open space. You see traditional dress, chanting and blessings up close.
  2. Buurisame feast: The festival’s signature dish, made of ensete mixed with butter and served with milk and curd. Families share it generously, and refusing a bowl would be impolite.
  3. Street processions in Hawassa: Groups in white and colorful cloth walk through town with drumming and songs. The sound carries for blocks, and you can simply follow along.
  4. Sidama traditional music and dance: Circles of dancers move to rhythmic beats and call-and-response singing. Watching from the edge is welcome, and joining in usually follows.
  5. Lake Hawassa shoreline: Families and revelers spill out along the
… read more 👉
  1. Fichee-Chambalaalla celebration at Gudumale: The ceremonial heart of the festival, where elders gather and the community meets in a sacred open space. You see traditional dress, chanting and blessings up close.
  2. Buurisame feast: The festival’s signature dish, made of ensete mixed with butter and served with milk and curd. Families share it generously, and refusing a bowl would be impolite.
  3. Street processions in Hawassa: Groups in white and colorful cloth walk through town with drumming and songs. The sound carries for blocks, and you can simply follow along.
  4. Sidama traditional music and dance: Circles of dancers move to rhythmic beats and call-and-response singing. Watching from the edge is welcome, and joining in usually follows.
  5. Lake Hawassa shoreline: Families and revelers spill out along the water, with marabou storks overhead and fishermen at the market. It is the easy place to rest between ceremonies.
Fichee-Chambalaalla can be covered fully in two days, with a third if you want slower afternoons by the lake.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Fichee-Chambalaalla?

Fichee-Chambalaalla, the Sidama New Year, is held in Hawassa, Sidama Region, over one main day (the festival eve and the day itself) that follows the lunar calendar, usually falling in late May or June, with the main celebrations at Gudumale, the open ground near Lake Hawassa.
  • Best day: The morning of the main day is the peak, when elders gather and families share buurisame, the festival’s signature dish. The eve brings quieter street preparations.
  • Weather: Expect warm days around 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F) with showers likely as the rains begin. Bring a light rain jacket, sunscreen, and shoes that can handle mud.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed three to four weeks ahead, since Hawassa rates can rise 30 to 50 percent and flights from Addis Ababa fill up.
  • Crowds: Arrive the day before. The road from Addis
… read more 👉
Fichee-Chambalaalla, the Sidama New Year, is held in Hawassa, Sidama Region, over one main day (the festival eve and the day itself) that follows the lunar calendar, usually falling in late May or June, with the main celebrations at Gudumale, the open ground near Lake Hawassa.
  • Best day: The morning of the main day is the peak, when elders gather and families share buurisame, the festival’s signature dish. The eve brings quieter street preparations.
  • Weather: Expect warm days around 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F) with showers likely as the rains begin. Bring a light rain jacket, sunscreen, and shoes that can handle mud.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed three to four weeks ahead, since Hawassa rates can rise 30 to 50 percent and flights from Addis Ababa fill up.
  • Crowds: Arrive the day before. The road from Addis Ababa and the Hawassa bus station are jammed on the main day and the day after, so leave on day two.
Confirm the exact date locally a week ahead, as it can shift by a day.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutEthiopia Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Ethiopia
The digital guide (380 pages) contains:
✅ 98 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 7, 14 & 21-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Stay in central Hawassa, near the lakeshore and the piazza area, because that puts you within walking distance of the main festival grounds at Gudumale and the processions. The lakeside strip is the most social zone, with cafés and terraces where solo travelers fall into conversation with locals and other visitors, and it stays busy and well lit into the evening. Guesthouses a few streets back from the water cost less and are quieter, and they suit anyone who wants sleep after a long day of crowds. The area around the main bus station is handy for early departures, though it is noisier and less … read more 👉
Stay in central Hawassa, near the lakeshore and the piazza area, because that puts you within walking distance of the main festival grounds at Gudumale and the processions. The lakeside strip is the most social zone, with cafés and terraces where solo travelers fall into conversation with locals and other visitors, and it stays busy and well lit into the evening. Guesthouses a few streets back from the water cost less and are quieter, and they suit anyone who wants sleep after a long day of crowds. The area around the main bus station is handy for early departures, though it is noisier and less pleasant after dark. Hawassa’s three-wheeled bajaj taxis are plentiful, so even a bed a bit farther out is workable if you agree on fares first. Book early, because festival weekends fill the budget places quickly. If rooms run out, the nearby lake towns of Shashemene and Yirgalem are a short ride away, but returning at night after the festivities is harder. Keep valuables close in the dense festival crowds, and walk in groups after dark.
Best hostels in Ethiopia


Best quality hotels in Ethiopia

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Fichee-Chambalaalla costs most backpackers about US$26 to 61 a day, including a mid-range festival-weekend bed in Hawassa.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0The celebrations are free and held in public spaces and family compounds.
AccommodationUS$15 to 35Basic guesthouses cost less in low season. Festival weekends push rates up 30 to 50 percent, so book early.
Local transportUS$2 to 6Bajaj rides within Hawassa are short and cheap. Fares rise on the main day, so agree a price first.
Food & drinksUS$6 to 12Local restaurants and stalls charge little. Hosts often share festival dishes freely.
MiscellaneousUS$3 to 8Small tips, coffee, a donation or gift for hosts, and sunscreen or a rain jacket.
Total Daily BudgetUS$26 to 61About US$50 for one day in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Cuisine & Drinks

The star of Fichee-Chambalaalla is buurisame, a dish of mashed false banana (enset) bread cooked with spiced butter and eaten from a shared dish. Families prepare it for the festival, and visitors are often invited to sit and taste. Expect it with kocho, the fermented enset bread, along with fresh cheese and milk, which are central to Sidama life. Meat is also served, with kitfo-style minced beef and grilled cuts popular in Hawassa’s restaurants during the holiday.

Try the spiced butter and milk, which are the heart of the celebration, and say yes if a family offers you a plate. Wash it down with Sidama coffee, often served in a traditional ceremony with incense, plus tej or local beer from lakeside bars.

Etiquette matters. Eat with the right hand from the shared dish, accept at least a … read more 👉
The star of Fichee-Chambalaalla is buurisame, a dish of mashed false banana (enset) bread cooked with spiced butter and eaten from a shared dish. Families prepare it for the festival, and visitors are often invited to sit and taste. Expect it with kocho, the fermented enset bread, along with fresh cheese and milk, which are central to Sidama life. Meat is also served, with kitfo-style minced beef and grilled cuts popular in Hawassa’s restaurants during the holiday.

Try the spiced butter and milk, which are the heart of the celebration, and say yes if a family offers you a plate. Wash it down with Sidama coffee, often served in a traditional ceremony with incense, plus tej or local beer from lakeside bars.

Etiquette matters. Eat with the right hand from the shared dish, accept at least a small portion, and thank your hosts. Carry cash in small notes, as stalls and cafés rarely take cards. Portions are generous, so share to try more. Lines move slowly, so be patient.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Fichee-Chambalaalla is held once a year, usually in late May or June, following the lunar calendar. The main day is preceded by an eve, so plan on two days. The central celebrations take place in Hawassa, with Gudumale as the main gathering ground.
Attending Fichee-Chambalaalla is free, since it is a public community celebration. Most budget travelers spend about US$40 to 60 a day in Hawassa, mainly on a bed that can cost 30 to 50 percent more on festival weekends. Food at local places runs about US$6 to 12 a day, and bajaj rides cost a few dollars.
Fichee-Chambalaalla needs no tickets, as the festivities are open and free. What you do need in advance is a bed, so book Hawassa accommodation three to four weeks ahead. Also arrange transport early, since buses and flights from Addis Ababa, about 275 kilometers away, fill up before the holiday.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ethiopian festivals near Fichee-Chambalaalla

Explore more nearby:

  • Irreecha—Oromo thanksgiving, riverbank gatherings, grass offerings| 199 km away
  • Ashenda—Tigrayan girls’ festival, colorful dresses, group singing| 220 km away
  • Meskel—bonfire ceremony, cross discovery, Demera procession| 220 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Ethiopia including Fichee-Chambalaalla and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all festivals

Or checkout all Ethiopia has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Ethiopia
Country photo of Ethiopia
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Fichee-Chambalaalla works best over two to three days: one for the ceremonies, one for visiting households and eating, and a spare for the lake. I would arrive the day before, so you find a bed and meet locals early. A single day feels rushed.

✈️ When did I visit Ethiopia?
Ethiopia I visited back in October 2017. I combined the trip with a visit to Sudan. Ethiopia was a pure surprise with the magical scenery like the Danakil Depression and the Simien Mountains.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ethiopia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story