Shuwalid Festival Is a Rare Asset with Great Potential for the Tourism Sector — Ministry of Tourism

Addis Ababa, March 26, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Ministry of Tourism has extended its congratulations to the Harari people of Harar on this year’s Shuwalid Festival, recently recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The festival is set to begin tomorrow in the historic walled city of Harar (Jugol), where the Harari community will celebrate the three-day cultural event with traditional rituals and festivities.

The Ministry described Shuwalid as one of the most important cultural values of the Harari people, celebrated for centuries in the historic walled city of Harar (Jugol).

According to the Ministry, Shuwalid is a manifestation of joy, love, and social cohesion, observed at the end of the Ramadan fast. The festival, it noted, is a rare cultural asset with great potential for the tourism sector, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the vibrancy of Harari traditions.

The Ministry highlighted that Shuwalid is celebrated in Harar Jugol, where the festival comes alive with traditional dances, elaborate costumes, and the hospitality of the Harari people.

These elements, it emphasized, make the festival a significant attraction for both domestic and international visitors, strengthening the city’s profile as a center of living cultural heritage.

In its statement, the Ministry also stressed that celebrating Shuwalid provides an opportunity to remember with pride Ethiopia’s ancient civilization and the cultural wealth it has contributed to the world.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to promote the internationally recognized Shuwalid Festival globally, showcasing Harar as a major tourist destination.

It further called on everyone — community members, stakeholders, and visitors — to protect, preserve, and pass on Shuwalid to the next generation, ensuring that this unique cultural heritage continues to thrive.