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Somali delegation joins celebration of Xeer Ciise's UNESCO recognition in Dire Dawa town


Sunday January 26, 2025

Jigjiga (HOL) – A Somali government delegation, including Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala and Deputy Minister of Minerals Abdiwahab Omar Ananug, participated a cultural event on Saturday in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia's Somali Regional State, to celebrate the recognition of Xeer Ciise by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The event, themed "The Xeer Ciise is the Foundation of Equality, Justice, and Unity," attracted hundreds of attendees, including high-profile officials and dignitaries from Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Kenya.

Deputy Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala expressed gratitude to the individuals and institutions whose efforts secured UNESCO's recognition. He highlighted the importance of preserving traditional cultures and called for initiatives to ensure their continued development. 

President of Ethiopia's Somali Regional State, Mustafa Mohamud Omar, underscored the enduring significance of Xeer Ciise in fostering justice and reconciliation. He urged the Somali community to enhance their conflict resolution practices and promote broader social acceptance. 

Xeer Ciise is a rigorously codified legal framework that has governed Somali Issa communities for centuries. It developed in the 16th century on Sitti Mountain in Ethiopia's Somali National Regional State.

Xeer Ciise comprises three main components: a political constitution defining power distribution and decision-making, a penal code emphasizing reconciliation and compensation, and a code of social conduct that integrates spiritual and social values.

The nomination for UNESCO recognition was a collaborative effort by Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia. It received approval during the 19th session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Asunción, Paraguay. 





 





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