Selfies as well as Chanting as Ethiopian Citizens Celebrate Annual Thanksgiving
A multitude of vibrantly dressed attendees converged in the heart of the city center for the traditional gratitude celebration during recent days.
The festival is honored by the Oromo community, the predominant population group, and takes place at the completion of the nation's main wet season.
Annually, festival-goers gather around holy rivers and lakes to express gratitude to their creators for the fertile landscape that the rainy season have provided.
"I've attended the festival for the last nine years," mentioned twenty-five-year-old one attendee.
"In my view, the celebration symbolizes my identity, it showcases the pride and significance of my community."
Males, ladies, the elderly and the young all join in, ornamented in attention-grabbing clothes and ornaments.
They vocalize, perform traditional dances, tell tales and deposit recently harvested foliage and blossoms in the water - representing life, regeneration and hope.
Global Attendance
Irreecha does not only attract individuals from all regions of Ethiopia, attendees come from internationally.
"I came last year - it was wonderful, so beautiful, I invited my children with me currently," expressed Claire, from Belfast in Northern Ireland.
"It's incredible. Everybody wants to say hello, all attendees wants to give you a kiss and says welcome."
Celebration Timeline
The first day of the celebration occurred on Saturday in the capital. On the next day, celebrants journeyed to a nearby town, a community just outside the capital.
Even though Irreecha has its roots in traditional beliefs, it is now celebrated by the larger part of the community, regardless of their belief system.
Contemporary Changes
In the past decade, the number of people attending the festival has expanded substantially. This is partly due to the growth of online networks, where many younger generation capture their clothing, dancing and vocal performances during the festival.
Historical Significance
In the earlier times, this event was used as a stage for public dissent - the Oromo community have historically expressed concerns about political and economic marginalisation.
However, this year's celebration took place calmly, with an priority on celebration, unity and heritage appreciation.
