Selfies along with Melodies as People of Ethiopia Celebrate Gratitude Festival
Countless individuals of colorfully attired participants gathered in downtown the city center for the annual Irreecha event this weekend.
The festival is observed by the Oromo, Ethiopia's largest community, and occurs at the completion of the nation's main rainy season.
Annually, festival-goers come together around sacred water bodies to show appreciation to their divine beings for the fertile landscape that the rains have brought.
"I have participated in this celebration for the past nine years," mentioned young adult a participant.
"To me, this event embodies my cultural background, it demonstrates the pride and importance of my people."
Males, females, the senior citizens and the younger generation all join in, ornamented in eye-catching attire and ornaments.
They vocalize, move rhythmically, tell tales and arrange newly gathered grass and blossoms in water - representing vitality, regeneration and optimism.
Worldwide Attendance
This festival does not only attract people from across Ethiopia, visitors fly in from globally.
"I visited the previous year - the experience was amazing, so spectacular, I invited my children with me currently," expressed Claire, hailing from abroad.
"It's wonderful. Everybody wants to say hello, everyone wants to give you a kiss and expresses hospitality."
Celebration Timeline
The initial day of the event occurred on the weekend in the capital. On the next day, festival-goers made their way to Bishoftu, a community just outside the capital.
Although this celebration has its foundations in traditional beliefs, it is now celebrated by the bulk of the Oromo people, regardless of their religion.
Modern Developments
In the recent years, the figure of people participating in the celebration has expanded substantially. This is partially because of the rise of social media, where numerous younger generation document their clothing, traditional dances and singing during the celebration.
Past Background
In the earlier times, Irreecha was served as a venue for anti-government protests - the ethnic group have consistently raised issues about systemic disadvantages.
Nonetheless, this year's celebration proceeded harmoniously, with an focus on happiness, unity and ethnic identity.
