Selfies and Singing as Ethiopians Celebrate Annual Thanksgiving
Tens of thousands of brightly clothed Ethiopians converged in the heart of the city center for the yearly Irreecha event during recent days.
The festival is observed by the Oromo, the biggest population group, and occurs at the end of the nation's primary wet season.
Annually, festival-goers come together around revered water bodies to give thanks to their creators for the lush vegetation that the rainy season have brought.
"I've attended Irreecha for the last nine years," mentioned 25-year-old Moata Abdulmajid.
"For me, Irreecha embodies my cultural background, it showcases the pride and greatness of my community."
Gentlemen, women, the older generation and the young all join in, decorated in attention-grabbing attire and jewellery.
They chant, move rhythmically, tell tales and arrange recently harvested foliage and blossoms in water - denoting existence, regeneration and optimism.
Global Attendance
The celebration not only draws participants from all regions of Ethiopia, guests fly in from globally.
"I came last year - it was so good, so magnificent, I brought my kids with me now," said one visitor, from Northern Ireland.
"It is amazing. Everybody wants to say hello, everyone wants to give you a kiss and says welcome."
Celebration Schedule
The first day of the celebration occurred on recently in Addis Ababa. On the following day, participants made their way to a provincial location, a small town close to the urban center.
Even though this celebration has its foundations in traditional beliefs, it is now observed by the majority of Oromos, without consideration for their faith.
Recent Changes
In the last ten years, the quantity of participants joining the event has expanded substantially. This is partly due to the expansion of digital platforms, where various younger generation record their attire, traditional dances and vocal performances during the celebration.
Historical Context
In the past, this event was used as a stage for political demonstrations - the Oromo people have consistently raised issues about social exclusion.
Nevertheless, this year's celebration proceeded harmoniously, with an priority on celebration, togetherness and ethnic identity.
