Selfies along with Melodies as Ethiopians Celebrate Gratitude Festival
Tens of thousands of brightly clothed Ethiopians gathered in central the city center for the annual Irreecha event over the past days.
This thanksgiving celebration is observed by the Oromo people, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, and is held at the end of the nation's primary rainy season.
Each year, celebrants come together around holy natural water sources to express gratitude to their higher powers for the lush vegetation that the precipitation have brought.
"I've been celebrating Irreecha for the past nine years," mentioned young adult a participant.
"For me, Irreecha represents my heritage, it demonstrates the honor and significance of my ethnic group."
Men, women, the elderly and the young all join in, decorated in attention-grabbing clothes and accessories.
They sing, move rhythmically, tell tales and place freshly cut grass and blossoms in liquid - representing vitality, regeneration and aspiration.
Global Participation
The celebration does not only attract people from all regions of Ethiopia, attendees come from around the world.
"I visited a year ago - it was so good, so spectacular, I brought my offspring with me now," said Claire, originating from Belfast in Northern Ireland.
"It's incredible. All people wants to say hello, everyone offers affection and expresses hospitality."
Event Timeline
The opening day of the festival took place on Saturday in the capital. On Sunday, celebrants travelled to a nearby town, a community close to the capital.
Even though Irreecha has its roots in indigenous faith systems, it is now celebrated by the majority of Oromos, irrespective of their faith.
Modern Developments
In the recent years, the number of individuals participating in the celebration has expanded substantially. This is partially because of the growth of digital platforms, where various young people document their attire, traditional dances and vocal performances during the gathering.
Previous Background
In the past, the festival was used as a platform for anti-government protests - the ethnic group have historically expressed concerns about political and economic marginalisation.
However, the latest gathering proceeded harmoniously, with an priority on celebration, unity and heritage appreciation.
