Gadaa and Fichee-Chambalaalla: what do UNESCO's two southern and Oromo listings actually describe?

Two Ethiopian traditions on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity are often mentioned but rarely explained. Gadaa system (Oromo) - UNESCO inscribed it in 2016. It is described as an indigenous democratic socio-political system of the Oromo people. - Leadership rotates every eight years. Officials were traditionally elected for eight-year terms. - Sources disagree on how many grades or age classes exist (from about 5 to 11) and on the age ranges, which vary across Oromia. Do not treat any single table as the rule. Fichee-Chambalaalla (Sidama) - Inscribed in 2015. It is the New Year festival of the Sidama people. - In 2024 reports put the main celebrations in Hawassa on 28 and 29 April. Caution Your turn: how does your family or community take part in Gadaa or Fichee, and what do outsiders most often get wrong?