Photos and Singing as Ethiopians Celebrate Annual Thanksgiving
Countless individuals of vibrantly dressed participants converged in downtown Addis Ababa for the yearly gratitude celebration this weekend.
The festival is celebrated by the Oromo people, the biggest ethnic group, and is held at the end of the land's main rainy season.
Every year, participants come together around revered rivers and lakes to show appreciation to their divine beings for the fertile landscape that the rains have delivered.
"I have participated in the festival for the past nine years," mentioned young adult a participant.
"For me, Irreecha symbolizes my identity, it demonstrates the honor and greatness of my people."
Men, women, the senior citizens and the young all take part, decorated in striking garments and ornaments.
They sing, move rhythmically, tell tales and arrange recently harvested green plants and floral arrangements in liquid - denoting life, regeneration and aspiration.
International Participation
This festival brings in participants from across Ethiopia, visitors fly in from internationally.
"I visited last year - the experience was amazing, so magnificent, I brought along my offspring with me this year," mentioned one visitor, from Belfast in Northern Ireland.
"It's incredible. All people wants to say hello, all attendees offers affection and says welcome."
Event Program
The opening day of the celebration was held on the weekend in the main city. On the following day, celebrants travelled to a provincial location, a settlement near the main city.
Even though the festival has its foundations in native spiritual practices, it is now practiced by the bulk of the Oromo people, irrespective of their faith.
Contemporary Developments
In the recent years, the quantity of people joining the celebration has increased dramatically. This is partly due to the expansion of digital platforms, where numerous youth document their outfits, dance moves and singing during the festival.
Past Context
In the earlier times, this event was served as a platform for political demonstrations - the ethnic group have consistently raised issues about systemic disadvantages.
Nonetheless, the recent event unfolded peacefully, with an focus on happiness, togetherness and ethnic identity.
