Ethiopia Steps Up Preparations to Seek UNESCO Recognition for Buhe Festival

August 20, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

Ethiopia's Ministry of Culture and Sport has intensified preparations to nominate the Buhe festival for inclusion on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage, as authorities work to document the annual celebration and its religious, cultural and social traditions.

The ministry has assigned experts to prepare the documentation required for the nomination and is working with the heritage authority on the process, according to information released by the ministry.

Buhe is a traditional festival with religious and cultural roots. The celebration is associated with the Ethiopian Orthodox observance of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ and is marked by communal gatherings, traditional songs and other local practices.

One of its best-known traditions involves groups, particularly children and young people, going from house to house singing "Hoya Hoye" and other traditional songs. The festival is observed differently across the country, with variations in customs and performances reflecting local traditions.

Matebe Tilahun, an expert in cultural values and indigenous knowledge research and development at the Ministry of Culture and Sport, said Buhe has its own religious, cultural and historical foundations.

Authorities are documenting the festival's cultural content and the different forms in which it is celebrated as part of preparations for the UNESCO nomination, as reported by Ahadu Radio.

The ministry said Buhe also provides a setting for social interaction and community participation. Commercial activity, including market linkages and the sale of handicraft products, is also associated with the annual celebration.

Officials said coordinated efforts would be required to safeguard the festival as a cultural heritage while developing its potential to attract tourism.

The initiative forms part of efforts to document and preserve Ethiopia's traditional cultural practices and seek international recognition for elements of the country's intangible cultural heritage.

Source: FSX Business News