Photos as well as Singing as People of Ethiopia Mark Thanksgiving
A multitude of vibrantly dressed participants converged in downtown Ethiopia's capital for the traditional Irreecha event during recent days.
Irreecha is honored by the Oromo, the biggest community, and is held at the conclusion of the country's major rainy season.
Every year, celebrants come together around holy water bodies to express gratitude 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 a participant.
"To me, this event embodies my heritage, it showcases the dignity and importance of my community."
Men, females, the senior citizens and the youth all take part, decorated in eye-catching garments and ornaments.
They vocalize, dance, share stories and place recently harvested foliage and blossoms in liquid - symbolizing life, rebirth and hope.
Global Presence
This festival brings in participants from throughout the country, attendees come from internationally.
"I came last year - the experience was amazing, so beautiful, I brought my kids with me currently," expressed an international guest, hailing from Northern Ireland.
"It's wonderful. All people welcomes you, everyone wants to give you a kiss and offers greetings."
Event Program
The opening day of the festival took place on Saturday in the capital. On Sunday, festival-goers made their way to a nearby town, a settlement just outside the capital.
Although Irreecha has its roots in native spiritual practices, it is now practiced by the larger part of the community, without consideration for their faith.
Contemporary Developments
In the past decade, the number of individuals participating in the celebration has grown significantly. This is in part thanks to the rise of digital platforms, where various young people document their outfits, dance moves and vocal performances during the gathering.
Previous Context
In the earlier times, the festival was used as a stage for anti-government protests - the Oromo people have historically expressed concerns about systemic disadvantages.
Nonetheless, the latest gathering unfolded peacefully, with an emphasis on joy, togetherness and cultural pride.
