Photos and Singing as Ethiopians Observe Annual Thanksgiving
Tens of thousands of brightly clothed participants gathered in the heart of Ethiopia's capital for the traditional thanksgiving festival over the past days.
Irreecha is observed by the Oromo people, the predominant community, and occurs at the conclusion of the country's main wet season.
Every year, celebrants come together around sacred water bodies to give thanks to their creators for the greenery that the rains have provided.
"I have participated in this celebration for the previous nine years," commented 25-year-old one attendee.
"To me, the celebration symbolizes my identity, it showcases the pride and greatness of my people."
Gentlemen, females, the elderly and the young all participate, ornamented in striking clothes and jewellery.
They vocalize, dance, share stories and deposit freshly cut green plants and blossoms in the water - denoting vitality, regeneration and hope.
Global Attendance
This festival does not only attract individuals from across Ethiopia, attendees fly in from globally.
"I attended the previous year - it was so good, so spectacular, I brought along my children with me this year," said an international guest, hailing from Belfast in Northern Ireland.
"It's incredible. All people wants to say hello, everyone shows warmth and expresses hospitality."
Celebration Program
The initial day of the celebration was held on recently in the capital. On the next day, celebrants made their way to a provincial location, a community just outside the urban center.
While this celebration has its foundations in indigenous faith systems, it is now observed by the majority of the Oromo people, regardless of their faith.
Contemporary Changes
In the recent years, the figure of people participating in the festival has increased dramatically. This is partly due to the rise of digital platforms, where many youth document their clothing, traditional dances and musical expressions during the celebration.
Past Context
In the past, the festival was functioned as a platform for anti-government protests - the ethnic group have historically expressed concerns about social exclusion.
Nevertheless, this year's celebration unfolded peacefully, with an emphasis on celebration, togetherness and heritage appreciation.
