Fichee Chembelala is one of the main events on the calendar of Hawassa city. A multitude of people are visible on the streets to celebrate the Fichee (Eve) and Chembelala (New Year) festivity of the Sidama people.

The people seen in droves almost everywhere in the city are a center piece of the Chembelala celebration at Gudumalle, shore of Hawassa lake. This event draws people from every place and age group who are draped in colorful traditional clothes while holding unique cultural items like long spears. This really adds to the vibrancy of this festive event.

What makes Fichee Chembelala so special from any other celebration in Ethiopia is that the exact date of the commemoration is not known by the average person, until elders of the communitydetermine and announce when the celebration will occur. These elders are referred to as Ayantos. Ayantos settle on the date of the Fichee Chembelala by reading the stars and sun alignment.

Walking through the crowd there were a variety of people attending the event. Fichee Chembelala gathers not only the people of the region, but also the country and world.