USPFJ Wishes the Best of 'Fichche' to all Sidamas!

The Sidama nation has got vibrant cultures that distinctively characterize them. One of the major cultures that uniquely characterize the nation is its New Year known as Fichche. Fichche makes the Sidama nation one of the unique nations in Ethiopia and beyond for having its own calendar that is 100% different from others. It also has got its own week days, weeks & 13 calendar months.

The Sidama nation celebrated 'Fichche' its New Year since the time immemorial. Despite the fact that the Sidama nation had lost its sovereignty to Abyssinian king Menelik II's invading army since 1890s- whose settlers attempted imposing their own culture and ways of lives including religion; the Sidama nation emphatically resisted such imposition. By doing so the Sidama maintained its ways of lives and cultural heritages. The Sidama's new generation is highly indebted for the precious sacrifices of lives the Sidama martyrs, who were mercilessly massacred by the successive Ethiopian rulers ever since the Sidama lost its sovereignty. The said invaders have all tried to dismantle Sidama's cultural institutions although the Sidama heroes and heroines preserved most of them paying ultimate sacrifices with their bloods.

We, the current Sidama generations are feeling free and confident because of the said ultimate sacrifices. This is why; today we're celebrating Sidama nation's unique 'Fichche' heroically. We're proud to be who we're simply because our ancestors have done the noble job on our behalf and on behalf of Sidama generations to come. Thus, on behalf of the United Sidama Parties for Freedom and Justice (USPFJ), we remind the entire Sidama nation to remain united to preserve its cultural heritages under whatsoever difficulties, as our ancestors have successfully done. The recent Sidama nation's unanimous quest for regional self administration is the living evidence that the Sidama's new generation is following on the foot steps of their hero & heroine ancestors.

For this and others numerous reasons, the USPFJ forged the unity of scattered Sidama liberation fronts/organizations/movements' efforts to lead the struggle to safeguard the nation's interests and ways of lives to enable the nation to reach to position where they will be able deciding about their own destination including how to preserve their culture, develop their language, economy & all matters that are meaningful to the survival of the Sidama nation. The USPFJ is pleased for seeing this already happening by the united efforts of the entire Sidamas.

Finally, the USPFJ also strongly recommends that one of the Sidama cultures 'Fichche' to be internationally recognized & registered by UNESCO due to its uniqueness in the world.

The USPFJ wishes all Sidamas and friends of Sidama all over the world the Happiest Fichche; where the aspirations of the Sidama nation become reality.

Fichche Jeejii Jeejii, Fichche Jejii Jeejii!!

USPFJ, 14 August 2012