Gifaataa is a cultural festival celebrated by the Wolayta people in the Southern Region of Ethiopia.

[1] Gifaataa means, "the beginning," and is also considered the bridge from old to new, dark to light.

The significance of Gifaata is to eliminate issues of the past and start afresh, reconciling past quarrels and strengthening family and community ties moving forward.

[1] The royal advisers summoned to the palace by census experts, when the old year draws to a closer.

[3] Then, the royal advisors go out at night to determine the roots of the lunar cycle, the four parts of the moon: i.e. (poo'uwa, xumaa, xeeruwa, Goobanaa) and come with the numbered signs of the year and observe the full moon cycle and announce it to the king and his advisers.