Wolayita

Ethiopian politician and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia

ethnic group in southern Ethiopia

thumb|Wolaytas playing "Leke" at the Gifaataa festival Gifaataa is a cultural festival celebrated by the Wolayta people in the Southern Region of Ethiopia within Wolayita Zone. The festival is celebrated each year in September, where the Wolayta accept the New Year and send off the old one. Gifaataa means "the beginning," and is also considered the bridge from old to new, dark to light. During Gifaataa the Wolayta dance and enjoy cultural foods. The significance of Gifaata is to eliminate issues of the past and start afresh, reconciling past quarrels and strengthening family and community ties