Selfies as well as Melodies as Ethiopians Celebrate Annual Thanksgiving
A multitude of colorfully attired Ethiopians gathered in the heart of Ethiopia's capital for the yearly thanksgiving festival during recent days.
Irreecha is observed by the Oromo people, Ethiopia's largest community, and occurs at the end of the land's main rainy season.
Annually, celebrants assemble around holy rivers and lakes to show appreciation to their higher powers for the greenery that the precipitation have provided.
"I've attended the festival for the past nine years," stated 25-year-old Moata Abdulmajid.
"In my view, the celebration symbolizes my identity, it showcases the dignity and greatness of my ethnic group."
Gentlemen, females, the senior citizens and the youth all join in, decorated in attention-grabbing attire and accessories.
They vocalize, dance, exchange narratives and deposit newly gathered green plants and floral arrangements in liquid - symbolizing vitality, regeneration and hope.
Worldwide Participation
Irreecha not only draws participants from throughout the country, attendees fly in from around the world.
"I came last year - the experience was amazing, so spectacular, I brought my children with me currently," said one visitor, originating from Northern Ireland.
"It's wonderful. Everyone wants to say hello, everyone wants to give you a kiss and says welcome."
Event Program
The initial day of the event took place on the weekend in Addis Ababa. On the next day, festival-goers travelled to a provincial location, a small town near the urban center.
Even though Irreecha has its roots in traditional beliefs, it is now practiced by the bulk of the Oromo people, irrespective of their belief system.
Contemporary Changes
In the recent years, the figure of individuals attending the celebration has expanded substantially. This is in part thanks to the rise of social media, where various youth document their outfits, dance moves and musical expressions during the celebration.
Historical Background
In the earlier times, this event was functioned as a stage for anti-government protests - the ethnic group have consistently raised issues about political and economic marginalisation.
Nonetheless, the recent event unfolded peacefully, with an emphasis on joy, unity and cultural pride.
