Selfies and Chanting as Ethiopian Citizens Mark Annual Thanksgiving
Tens of thousands of brightly clothed attendees gathered in downtown Ethiopia's capital for the traditional thanksgiving festival over the past days.
Irreecha is honored by the Oromo, the predominant ethnic group, and takes place at the end of the nation's primary wet season.
Annually, celebrants assemble around sacred rivers and lakes to show appreciation to their creators for the lush vegetation that the rainy season have delivered.
"I've attended this celebration for the past nine years," mentioned 25-year-old Moata Abdulmajid.
"To me, Irreecha embodies my identity, it showcases the dignity and greatness of my people."
Gentlemen, women, the senior citizens and the young all take part, ornamented in striking clothes and accessories.
They vocalize, move rhythmically, share stories and deposit recently harvested green plants and floral arrangements in the water - representing life, renewal and hope.
Worldwide Presence
This festival brings in participants from across Ethiopia, attendees fly in from globally.
"I attended last year - it was wonderful, so beautiful, I brought along my kids with me this year," mentioned an international guest, from Northern Ireland.
"It's wonderful. Everybody wants to say hello, everyone shows warmth and expresses hospitality."
Celebration Timeline
The opening day of the festival occurred on Saturday in Addis Ababa. On Sunday, participants journeyed to a nearby town, a small town just outside the urban center.
While Irreecha has its origins in native spiritual practices, it is now practiced by the larger part of the Oromo people, regardless of their belief system.
Recent Changes
In the recent years, the figure of people joining the event has grown significantly. This is partly due to the rise of digital platforms, where various young people document their clothing, traditional dances and vocal performances during the gathering.
Past Significance
In the earlier times, Irreecha was served as a stage for public dissent - the Oromo people have historically expressed concerns about social exclusion.
Nonetheless, the recent event took place calmly, with an focus on happiness, unity and heritage appreciation.
