Selfies and Singing as Ethiopian Citizens Observe Annual Thanksgiving
Tens of thousands of brightly clothed attendees gathered in downtown Addis Ababa for the annual Irreecha event over the past days.
The festival is honored by the Oromo people, Ethiopia's largest community, and is held at the end of the land's main rainy season.
Each year, festival-goers gather around holy rivers and lakes to express gratitude to their higher powers for the lush vegetation that the precipitation have provided.
"I've been celebrating the festival for the previous nine years," stated twenty-five-year-old Moata Abdulmajid.
"To me, the celebration represents my cultural background, it demonstrates the honor and importance of my people."
Males, females, the older generation and the youth all join in, adorned in eye-catching attire and jewellery.
They vocalize, perform traditional dances, exchange narratives and place recently harvested green plants and flowers in the water - symbolizing vitality, rebirth and optimism.
Global Presence
Irreecha brings in individuals from all regions of Ethiopia, guests fly in from internationally.
"I attended a year ago - it was so good, so spectacular, I brought my offspring with me this year," said an international guest, from abroad.
"It's incredible. Everyone greets you, everyone wants to give you a kiss and says welcome."
Celebration Program
The initial day of the festival took place on Saturday in Addis Ababa. On the next day, celebrants made their way to a nearby town, a small town just outside the main city.
Even though the festival has its foundations in indigenous faith systems, it is now celebrated by the majority of the community, without consideration for their belief system.
Contemporary Changes
In the recent years, the figure of participants participating in the festival has grown significantly. This is partly due to the expansion of online networks, where many young people record their clothing, dance moves and singing during the gathering.
Past Significance
In the past, this event was used as a stage for political demonstrations - the Oromo people have long complained about social exclusion.
Nonetheless, the latest gathering took place calmly, with an focus on joy, togetherness and cultural pride.
