Photos along with Melodies as Ethiopians Observe Thanksgiving
Tens of thousands of brightly clothed Ethiopians converged in central Addis Ababa for the traditional Irreecha event this weekend.
This thanksgiving celebration is honored by the Oromo people, the biggest population group, and is held at the end of the nation's main rainy season.
Every year, festival-goers come together around sacred water bodies to give thanks to their divine beings for the greenery that the rains have delivered.
"I have participated in this celebration for the past nine years," stated 25-year-old one attendee.
"To me, the celebration symbolizes my cultural background, it reflects the pride and greatness of my people."
Males, women, the senior citizens and the young all join in, ornamented in attention-grabbing attire and jewellery.
They vocalize, perform traditional dances, tell tales and deposit freshly cut grass and blossoms in water - symbolizing life, rebirth and optimism.
International Attendance
Irreecha brings in individuals from all regions of Ethiopia, visitors travel from around the world.
"I came last year - the experience was amazing, so magnificent, I brought my offspring with me now," expressed an international guest, originating from abroad.
"It's incredible. Everybody wants to say hello, everyone shows warmth and offers greetings."
Celebration Schedule
The opening day of the celebration was held on Saturday in the main city. On Sunday, festival-goers made their way to a nearby town, a community near the main city.
While Irreecha has its roots in indigenous faith systems, it is now practiced by the bulk of the community, regardless of their faith.
Contemporary Trends
In the last ten years, the quantity of people participating in the festival has expanded substantially. This is partly due to the expansion of social media, where numerous youth capture their outfits, dancing and singing during the celebration.
Past Significance
In the earlier times, this event was used as a platform for public dissent - the ethnic group have long complained about systemic disadvantages.
Nonetheless, the recent event unfolded peacefully, with an emphasis on celebration, togetherness and ethnic identity.
