Festival opening speach – Gomo Gofa Zone Administrator, Elders Blessing – Gamo Elders.    Gamo, Gofa, Gofa, Gidicho, Zaise, Oida, Eka Dema (deramalo) Association Music Group, Gamo – Chencha Association Group, Gamta – Zigiti Association Music Group, Hararw Association Music Group, Dita Association Music Group, Zala Kemba Association Music Group, Erbore, Halaba, Mashola, Nao, Yem, Kusme, Hamer, Tembaro, Surma, Gedeo, Tsemay, Berayle, Guraghe, Karo, Bench, Dawuro, Male, Kore, Mesiye, Kembata, Debose, Mursi, Meinit, Konso, Silte Sidama, Kebbena, Kenebata, Ari, Shekkicho, Chara, Bodi, Konta, Oromo (Bprena Zone), Kenya ( Northern Kenyans), Dime, Burji, Derashe, Kafficho, Mareko, Bena, Basket, Donga, Sheko, Hadiya, Dasenech, Dizi, Mejenger, Ngangetom, Woliata.    About Arba Minch Festival of Music and Dance    “it would have taken months of travelling to have seen half of these amazing people” – Dan Harper, VSO worker    The Festival of 1000 Stars is organised by the Global Music Exchange and Gughe Music and Arts Association, and is funded by the Christensen Fund.    The festival aims to promote the rich cultural diversity of peoples of Southern Ethiopia, and encourage respect and appreciation for their fascinating and varied heritage. It has been growing year on year since 2003. Last year 45,000 came to enjoy the richness of talent and encourage the performers to greater heights.    “It felt like the friendliest festival in Africa” – Su Hart    The 2008 festival took place on 13th-15th December in the Rift valley, Arba Minch, Ethiopia: one day’s drive from Addis.