Somali Delegation Attends Festive Ceremony in Dire Dawa Honoring Xeer Ciise’s UNESCO Acknowledgment
Jigjiga (AX) – In an event bubbling with vibrant cultural hues, a Somali government delegation graced Dire Dawa in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State on a crisp Saturday morning to honor a monumental recognition. The gathering was an eclectic mix of cultural exuberance and official prestige, marking UNESCO’s acknowledgment of Xeer Ciise as earmarked for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The lemonade was particularly tangy that day, with the theme “The Xeer Ciise is the Foundation of Equality, Justice, and Unity” threading through the air. Hundreds of folks from near and far, including luminaries from Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Kenya, met under a wide-open African sky. It was as if the continents conspired to bring their brightest minds together for a cross-cultural tête-à-tête.
Amidst this sea of eager faces, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala didn’t mince his words. With a sparkle in his eye and a gratitude list longer than a grocery receipt, he thanked the myriad individuals and organizations behind UNESCO’s nod—akin to finding the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. His speech sang praises of tradition and underscored the need for initiatives that roll traditional practices into the future.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State President, Mustafa Mohamud Omar, with a presence as sturdy as a baobab tree, echoed the resonance of Xeer Ciise in accentuating justice and reconciliation. He implored the crowd with a warm paternal tone, rallying the Somali community to spice up their conflict resolution recipes with doses of wider social acceptance.
But what exactly is this enigmatic Xeer Ciise? Picture a tapestry woven from history and tradition, a legal framework fiercely steering the Somali Issa communities through tumultuous seas for centuries. It’s like an ancient map, etched in the 16th century on Sitti Mountain within Ethiopia’s vast Somali National Regional State.
This fascinating legal codex unfurls like a tri-fold brochure—organized, and diligent in form. It’s not just a smattering of rules but resonates with a political constitution outlining power-shares and decision-making, a penal code driven by reconciliation rather than retribution, and a societal code integrating both spiritual and communal ethos. A recipe that balances law and humanity with the precision of a tightrope walker.
The nod for UNESCO recognition wasn’t brewed in isolation. It called for a choir of voices from Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia, each contributing their verse to this cultural anthem. The decision was confirmed during the 19th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage taking place in Asunción, Paraguay—a city that whispered secrets of cultures long revered and preserved.
Moments like these are what cultures stand upon: the bridges built not from stone and mortar but from stories, legends, and practices. They offer a glimpse into the soul of a community, the invisible threads binding hearts and minds across borders. And isn’t that what we’ve always yearned for? A chance to look beyond, to embrace the richness of a world humming with age-old wisdom.
In an increasingly frenetic world, where traditions can sometimes feel like relics of a bygone era, events like this remind us—amid laughter, speeches, and dance—that they remain as relevant today as they were centuries ago. Let’s keep the torch lit, honoring these ancient codes as we weave them into the modern narrative without losing the essence of their original purpose.
So, wherever you are reading this from, allow yourself to be swept away by the legacy of Xeer Ciise, and let it remind you that heritage is not just about remembering the past but celebrating it as an integral part of our tomorrow. And if you ever find yourself in a pinch, ask: What wouldn’t the wise creators of Xeer Ciise do?
Report By Axadle
