Snapshots as well as Chanting as Ethiopian Citizens Mark Annual Thanksgiving
Tens of thousands of brightly clothed participants gathered in the heart of Addis Ababa for the annual thanksgiving festival during recent days.
The festival is celebrated by the Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, and takes place at the conclusion of the country's primary wet season.
Each year, participants come together around sacred natural water sources to show appreciation to their creators for the greenery that the precipitation have delivered.
"I've attended the festival for the previous nine years," stated twenty-five-year-old one attendee.
"For me, this event embodies my cultural background, it reflects the honor and greatness of my people."
Males, females, the senior citizens and the youth all join in, ornamented in attention-grabbing garments and jewellery.
They vocalize, perform traditional dances, share stories and place recently harvested green plants and flowers in liquid - denoting existence, rebirth and aspiration.
Worldwide Participation
Irreecha brings in participants from throughout the country, attendees fly in from around the world.
"I visited last year - it was so good, so magnificent, I invited my kids with me currently," said an international guest, originating from Northern Ireland.
"It's incredible. Everybody wants to say hello, all attendees shows warmth and offers greetings."
Celebration Program
The opening day of the event occurred on the weekend in the capital. On the next day, participants made their way to a nearby town, a settlement close to the capital.
Although Irreecha has its roots in indigenous faith systems, it is now observed by the larger part of the Oromo people, without consideration for their belief system.
Recent Changes
In the past decade, the figure of participants joining the festival has expanded substantially. This is partly due to the rise of digital platforms, where various young people record their outfits, dance moves and musical expressions during the festival.
Historical Significance
In the earlier times, the festival was served as a stage for anti-government protests - the Oromo people have consistently raised issues about systemic disadvantages.
Nonetheless, this year's celebration proceeded harmoniously, with an priority on joy, togetherness and heritage appreciation.
