ASHURA FESTIVAL: ITS PRACTICE AND VALUE IN HARARI NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

The study has tried to Assess the practice and value of Ashura festival. It also examines the current practice of this festival in the study area. The descriptive design backed by case analysis, both qualitative and qualitative approach has been employed for this study. The target populations of the study were religious leader, elderly and historian, youth association, school’s principals, tourism and culture experts, local guides, tourist information center, University, Museum and heritage related institutions, employee and senior officers, higher officials of relevant governmental institution. 297 samples were drawn from the target population through probability and non-probability sampling designs. Then data was collected through key informant interview, FGD and questionnaire through simple random and purposive sampling. The analysis has revealed that the customary practice of Ashura precedes the introduction of Islam among the Harari community. The practices are more likely associated with the ancient solar calendar of whom Harari inherited from their ancestor. Currently, the celebration of Ashura Festival has incorporated both religious and customary practice. The festival exhibited the historical evolution of the Harari community from sheltering in pre-historic cave settlement into the Geyusu (people of the city or simply urban dweller). Hence the study argues the importance of reconsidering the origin of Harari as native to Ethiopia rather than migrant. Though the interpretation and meaning might shape over time like any other festival. The pillar of the festival focuses on wishes for health, peace, and prosperity in the coming year. Analysis has revealed that the Ashura festival has enormous historical, cultural, religious, political, and economic significance. The festive has research and discovery value, symbolic value, reinforcing the social order, unity and familiarization unifying and sustaining cultural groups, social integration and mutual co- existence economic value, medicinal value, health, and wellness values. However, despite such excellent value, unsatisfactory condition has been revealed regarding the practice of Ashura festival in Harari Regional State.