Selfies as well as Singing as Ethiopian Citizens Celebrate Gratitude Festival
A multitude of vibrantly dressed Ethiopians converged in central the city center for the yearly gratitude celebration during recent days.
Irreecha is honored by the Oromo people, the biggest ethnic group, and takes place at the conclusion of the land's primary rainy season.
Each year, festival-goers come together around holy natural water sources to give thanks to their divine beings for the fertile landscape that the precipitation have brought.
"I've attended this celebration for the previous nine years," stated twenty-five-year-old one attendee.
"In my view, the celebration symbolizes my identity, it reflects the pride and significance of my ethnic group."
Men, women, the elderly and the young all participate, ornamented in attention-grabbing garments and ornaments.
They sing, perform traditional dances, tell tales and place freshly cut grass and blossoms in the water - symbolizing life, renewal and aspiration.
International Attendance
Irreecha not only draws participants from all regions of Ethiopia, guests come from internationally.
"I came a year ago - it was so good, so magnificent, I brought along my offspring with me this year," expressed one visitor, from Northern Ireland.
"It is amazing. Everybody welcomes you, everyone offers affection and offers greetings."
Celebration Schedule
The initial day of the celebration occurred on the weekend in Addis Ababa. On the following day, festival-goers travelled to Bishoftu, a community just outside the urban center.
Even though Irreecha has its foundations in native spiritual practices, it is now observed by the bulk of Oromos, regardless of their faith.
Recent Developments
In the last ten years, the number of individuals joining the celebration has increased dramatically. This is partly due to the expansion of digital platforms, where many youth document their outfits, dancing and singing during the gathering.
Past Context
In the past, Irreecha was used as a platform for public dissent - the Oromo people have consistently raised issues about systemic disadvantages.
Nevertheless, this year's celebration unfolded peacefully, with an focus on joy, solidarity and heritage appreciation.
