The United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization has inscribed the Shuwalid Festival, an annual three-day festival celebrated by the Harari of Ethiopia, as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The news came Tuesday after the eighteenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage convened in Botswana.

The Harari people celebrate Shuwalid at the shrines of Aw Shulum Ahmed and Aw Akebara, both located at the main entrance gates of the walled city of Harar.

Shuwal-eid is celebrated on the 8th day of Shuwal month that comes after the Ramadan in Islamic calendar. The festival starts with supplications and spiritual songs, followed by the reading of scriptures, music and dance.

It is believed that the platform is a suitable place for couples to meet and get married. Shuwal Eid may receive an amazing amount of secular virtue from this.

The celebration is concluded with words of blessing.//