I was watching ETV last Sunday (19 October 2008) and i caught a program that took place at either the Sheraton or Hilton Hotel. It was a Hariri Mulsim holiday that made it's focus on girls (unmarried girls to be exact). When talking about the "purpose" of the program, one of the organizer said that this was the day in which a Hariri man chooses a Harari girl to be his bride. "No night club", i remember him joking, "no.. party. They come here and..". What i want to know now is what the name of the holiday is, when it's supposed to take and how. I've been hoping to do an article on Harari women for my blog (who doesn't right? ). This program sounds like a good place to start.

Would appreciate anything you can give me. My blog address is: http://abesheet.wordpress.com/

Azeb,
This Harari holiday celebration you came across on TV. is called "Shawal Eid"
Shewal Eid is one of the most popular traditional holidays celebrated by Hararies after six days of fasting following Eid Al-Fitir.
During this celebration the young Harari men choose their life long partner to be. Traditionally this holiday is celebrated only in Harar, where by all Hararis living outside Harar (i.e Addis, Dirdawa or any where else) would travle to Harar and join the locals in celebrating the most colourful party. Unmarried young Harari Ladies dress in their colourful traditional Harari dress and the young men looking their best....and the party goes on during the day time in the walled city of Harar.

I personaly never got the chance to go to Harar to witness this colorful celebration, so i dont have much to tell you all i know is it is the most colourful and joyful celebration.