Tens of thousands of vibrantly dressed Ethiopians descended on downtown Addis Ababa for an annual thanksgiving festival this weekend. Irreecha is celebrated by the Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, at the end of the country's main rainy season.
Each year, festival-goers gather around sacred rivers and lakes to thank their creators for the greenery that the rains have brought. 'I've been celebrating Irreecha for the past nine years,' said 25-year-old Moata Abdulmajid. 'To me, Irreecha represents my identity, it reflects the pride and greatness of my people.'
Men, women, the elderly, and the young all joined in, adorned in eye-catching clothes and jewelry, singing and dancing while placing freshly cut grass and flowers in water, symbolizing life, renewal, and hope.
Irreecha attracts not only locals from Ethiopia but also attendees who fly in from around the world. Claire, from Belfast, remarked, 'It is amazing. Everybody wants to say hello, everyone wants to give you a kiss and say welcome.' The festival took place this past weekend, with festivities also held in Bishoftu, a small town just outside the capital.
Despite having historical roots in indigenous faith systems, Irreecha is now observed by the majority of Oromos, regardless of religion. This year’s celebration emphasized joy and cultural pride, contrasting past instances where it became a platform for political dissent. The festival stands as a vibrant demonstration of unity and the spirit of the Oromo people.
Each year, festival-goers gather around sacred rivers and lakes to thank their creators for the greenery that the rains have brought. 'I've been celebrating Irreecha for the past nine years,' said 25-year-old Moata Abdulmajid. 'To me, Irreecha represents my identity, it reflects the pride and greatness of my people.'
Men, women, the elderly, and the young all joined in, adorned in eye-catching clothes and jewelry, singing and dancing while placing freshly cut grass and flowers in water, symbolizing life, renewal, and hope.
Irreecha attracts not only locals from Ethiopia but also attendees who fly in from around the world. Claire, from Belfast, remarked, 'It is amazing. Everybody wants to say hello, everyone wants to give you a kiss and say welcome.' The festival took place this past weekend, with festivities also held in Bishoftu, a small town just outside the capital.
Despite having historical roots in indigenous faith systems, Irreecha is now observed by the majority of Oromos, regardless of religion. This year’s celebration emphasized joy and cultural pride, contrasting past instances where it became a platform for political dissent. The festival stands as a vibrant demonstration of unity and the spirit of the Oromo people.
