Hadiya Ethiopia: Elinch Fi'il Badawaach Siraaro kululessa maci afal dambalaa lake view 3

One Great Example of Hadiyya (Hadiyyisa) Media Production

More Hadiyya (Hadiyyisa) media contents like this must be produced and distributed

Below you will find the first (to my knowledge) documentary of Hadiya narrated fully in Hadiyyissa language showcasing how a quality video content can be produced in this language.  The content; a summary of Hadiya culture, their geography, and traditions is impressive in more than one way. The production is of professional quality, the Hadiyyissa narration is non-adulterated, the footage selections are well thought out, and the narrator’s voice is soothing.

More media contents must be produced by and for the speakers in Hadiyyisa. In this front; Oromo, Somali, and Afar communities can server us as great models. This is the job for all of us, not government alone.  Hadiyyisa content are almost non-existent in popular outlet channels such as TV, radio, podcasts, magazines, newspapers, social media (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, et cetera).  Making media available in heritage language is one of the essential tools available for the language community to fight linguistic and cultural extinctions. Hadiya must fight the weakening trend of Hadiyyisa by being both producers and consumers of Hadiyyisa media content. This issue as it applies to Hadiyyisa has been discussed in more details in our article State of Hadiyya (Hadiyyisa Language of Ethiopia.

I understand that there is a limited radio broadcast in Hadiyyisa according to recent report we read, but I am not sure how good the programs are and its success in attracting audience.  I imagine there are challenges with developing TV broadcast in Hadiyyisa not the least of which is the cost, but this must be the goal and it can be achieved. Please correct me if things have changed and there is any TV broadcast in Hadiyyisa.

Internet has made it easy for an individual or group to reach global audience. I have yet to see single YouTube channel (YouTuber) that uses Hadiyyisa as a medium of communication (even in mixed with English or Amharic variety) in any way, a Facebook page using/promoting Hadiyyisa, a Podcast in Hadiyyisa, et cetera.  Hadiyyisa speakers can change this.

The video I found on YouTube is an exceptional example that in fact great quality, pure Hadiyyisa contents can be produced. However, the availability of video content is more important than production quality – in which this documentary excels. We just do not have video content online to speak of. Enjoy!

Note: At the beginning of the film, the production company is noted as Rift Valley Films and Documentation. While this company can be credited for its technical excellence and design leadership, I am certain that plenty of the credit for the final product belongs to other people and organizations including governmental agencies. They are too many to list here, but they are listed at the intro and outro information of the movie.  I am grateful to all of them.

Let me know in the comment section if you know of other such contents – video or otherwise. Are you working on something yourself?

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