Sigd Festival

The weather was beautiful (cool and crisp), and thank goodness the dew on the lawn outside the Sanctuary had completely dried by the time we performed our Sigd Festival yesterday.  This was the culminating activity for our Beta Yisrael unit of study. During the previous five weeks we have studied the history of this unique Edah, and have learned about its language, literature (oral storytelling), crafts, music, dancing, traditional clothing and foods. Below are the sights and sounds of our Sigd Festival experience.

Leaving Room 202 after dressing in costumes (the Beta Yisrael religious leaders - the Kessim - lead the group)

Heading down the hall toward the staircase

Jacob carries the Yemarina Yewotet Daabo (Honey Yeast Bread), one of the breads we'll eat to break the fast

Gathering in the courtyard behind the Kessim (who traditionally wear all white and carry fringed umbrellas)

Heading down to Risa Road as we sing "Am Yisrael Chai" (The Nation of Israel lives)

A beautiful event on a beautiful fall day

As we begin our ascent, we pass by two basket weavers

Perhaps she's wishing us a safe journey (oh, oh - there's someone lurking in the bushes and he doesn't look peaceful!)

Is that a sword he's carrying behind our basket weaver?

We're being attacked by shiftas (robbers) as we climb - it looks like one of them is after the honey bread that Jacob is trying to protect.

The bread is safe and the shifta is running away!

This mountain is really steep!

Finally, we reached the top of the mountain and following a brief prayer service and readings from the Book of Nehemiah by our five Kessim, we broke our fast with the breads and apple juice (a nice substitute for the usual beer), and listened to skits written and performed by the students. Each skit is a situation describing the meaning of one of four Beta Yisrael proverbs. Above, the boys are teaching us how "If you don't know the way, even a plain is like a jungle."

After the final skit was performed, Joel Siegel joined us, and the students formed a drum "circle" (we never quite achieved the circle, but that didn't take away from the wonderful drumming techniques that Joel had taught us!). We sang "Al Tir'uni" from the "Song of Songs" and did the shoulder dance (alright, some of us did the shoulder dance!).  

Thank you to everyone who helped us prepare for the Sigd  -  to the parents who baked/fried the breads, to Joel who helped us learn the songs and play the drums, to Josh for photographing and filming the event, to my wonderful TA's Tanner and Isaac, and to all the Edot students who participated. YASHER KOACH to everyone!

As we bid farewell to Ethiopia, we look forward to the next stop on our Edot itinerary - IRAQ!