Snapshots and Chanting as Ethiopian Citizens Mark Thanksgiving
Countless individuals of brightly clothed participants gathered in downtown the city center for the annual thanksgiving festival over the past days.
This thanksgiving celebration is honored by the Oromo people, the biggest population group, and is held at the conclusion of the nation's major wet season.
Every year, festival-goers come together around sacred natural water sources to express gratitude to their creators for the lush vegetation that the precipitation have brought.
"I've attended this celebration for the previous nine years," stated twenty-five-year-old Moata Abdulmajid.
"To me, Irreecha symbolizes my cultural background, it showcases the pride and importance of my people."
Men, ladies, the older generation and the younger generation all take part, ornamented in attention-grabbing clothes and accessories.
They chant, perform traditional dances, exchange narratives and arrange newly gathered grass and flowers in the water - representing vitality, rebirth and aspiration.
International Participation
Irreecha brings in individuals from across Ethiopia, attendees come from internationally.
"I visited the previous year - it was so good, so spectacular, I brought my offspring with me currently," said Claire, originating from abroad.
"It's wonderful. Everyone greets you, each person shows warmth and expresses hospitality."
Festival Timeline
The first day of the celebration occurred on Saturday in the main city. On Sunday, festival-goers made their way to a nearby town, a community close to the main city.
Even though the festival has its foundations in indigenous faith systems, it is now celebrated by the majority of Oromos, regardless of their belief system.
Recent Trends
In the past decade, the number of participants attending the festival has expanded substantially. This is partly due to the growth of digital platforms, where various young people document their attire, dancing and vocal performances during the gathering.
Historical Background
In the previous years, the festival was functioned as a platform for political demonstrations - the Oromo people have long complained about political and economic marginalisation.
Nevertheless, the latest gathering unfolded peacefully, with an emphasis on happiness, togetherness and cultural pride.
