🔗 Share this article Selfies along with Singing as Ethiopians Observe Thanksgiving A multitude of colorfully attired participants converged in central Addis Ababa for the traditional Irreecha event during recent days. This thanksgiving celebration is honored by the Oromo, the biggest ethnic group, and occurs at the completion of the country's primary rainy season. Annually, participants gather around sacred water bodies to show appreciation to their creators for the greenery that the rainy season have delivered. "I've attended this celebration for the past nine years," stated twenty-five-year-old one attendee. "To me, the celebration represents my cultural background, it demonstrates the dignity and importance of my ethnic group." Gentlemen, women, the older generation and the youth all join in, decorated in striking garments and jewellery. They sing, dance, share stories and deposit freshly cut grass and floral arrangements in the water - symbolizing life, regeneration and aspiration. Global Presence The celebration not only draws individuals from across Ethiopia, guests come from globally. "I came the previous year - the experience was amazing, so magnificent, I brought my offspring with me now," expressed one visitor, originating from Northern Ireland. "It's incredible. Everybody greets you, each person wants to give you a kiss and expresses hospitality." Event Timeline The initial day of the festival was held on the weekend in the capital. On the next day, celebrants journeyed to Bishoftu, a settlement close to the capital. While Irreecha has its foundations in traditional beliefs, it is now observed by the larger part of the Oromo people, irrespective of their belief system. Modern Trends In the past decade, the number of individuals participating in the festival has expanded substantially. This is in part thanks to the growth of online networks, where various younger generation capture their clothing, traditional dances and vocal performances during the gathering. Past Context In the earlier times, this event was used as a platform for anti-government protests - the Oromo community have consistently raised issues about social exclusion. However, the latest gathering took place calmly, with an focus on joy, unity and heritage appreciation.