Photos and Singing as Ethiopian Citizens Mark Thanksgiving
A multitude of brightly clothed Ethiopians converged in the heart of Addis Ababa for the annual gratitude celebration this weekend.
Irreecha is honored by the Oromo, Ethiopia's largest population group, and is held at the end of the country's main monsoon period.
Each year, festival-goers come together around sacred natural water sources to express gratitude to their creators for the greenery that the precipitation have provided.
"I've been celebrating Irreecha for the past nine years," stated 25-year-old Moata Abdulmajid.
"For me, this event symbolizes my identity, it reflects the dignity and greatness of my people."
Gentlemen, women, the elderly and the youth all participate, adorned in striking attire and accessories.
They chant, dance, tell tales and arrange newly gathered grass and blossoms in water - representing vitality, rebirth and optimism.
International Attendance
The celebration brings in people from across Ethiopia, guests fly in from internationally.
"I visited the previous year - it was wonderful, so beautiful, I brought along my children with me currently," expressed Claire, hailing from Belfast in Northern Ireland.
"It is amazing. All people welcomes you, each person shows warmth and says welcome."
Festival Program
The opening day of the festival took place on Saturday in the main city. On the next day, celebrants journeyed to Bishoftu, a settlement close to the capital.
While this celebration has its roots in indigenous faith systems, it is now practiced by the bulk of the community, regardless of their religion.
Modern Changes
In the last ten years, the number of participants attending the festival has expanded substantially. This is partially because of the growth of digital platforms, where numerous young people record their outfits, traditional dances and singing during the gathering.
Past Significance
In the previous years, the festival was used as a platform for public dissent - the ethnic group have historically expressed concerns about social exclusion.
However, the latest gathering took place calmly, with an focus on happiness, solidarity and ethnic identity.
