Photos as well as Melodies as Ethiopian Citizens Observe Annual Thanksgiving
Tens of thousands of brightly clothed participants converged in downtown the city center for the yearly thanksgiving festival this weekend.
The festival is observed by the Oromo, the predominant ethnic group, and is held at the completion of the land's main monsoon period.
Annually, celebrants come together around revered rivers and lakes to show appreciation to their higher powers for the lush vegetation that the rainy season have delivered.
"I've been celebrating Irreecha for the past nine years," mentioned twenty-five-year-old a participant.
"For me, the celebration represents my cultural background, it reflects the pride and importance of my community."
Gentlemen, females, the older generation and the youth all take part, decorated in striking clothes and jewellery.
They sing, perform traditional dances, tell tales and deposit recently harvested grass and floral arrangements in liquid - representing life, regeneration and optimism.
International Participation
This festival not only draws people from across Ethiopia, visitors come from globally.
"I attended the previous year - it was so good, so magnificent, I invited my offspring with me now," mentioned one visitor, originating from Northern Ireland.
"It's wonderful. All people wants to say hello, all attendees wants to give you a kiss and offers greetings."
Event Program
The initial day of the celebration occurred on the weekend in the capital. On the next day, festival-goers made their way to a provincial location, a small town near the capital.
While Irreecha has its origins in indigenous faith systems, it is now practiced by the larger part of the community, irrespective of their belief system.
Contemporary Trends
In the recent years, the number of people participating in the festival has grown significantly. This is partly due to the rise of online networks, where various younger generation record their clothing, dancing and vocal performances during the gathering.
Past Significance
In the past, Irreecha was functioned as a platform for anti-government protests - the Oromo community have historically expressed concerns about social exclusion.
Nonetheless, this year's celebration unfolded peacefully, with an focus on happiness, unity and cultural pride.
