Selfies along with Melodies as Ethiopians Celebrate Thanksgiving

Countless individuals of brightly clothed Ethiopians assembled in downtown the city center for the traditional gratitude celebration during recent days.

This thanksgiving celebration is celebrated by the Oromo community, Ethiopia's largest community, and is held at the completion of the nation's major monsoon period.

Every year, festival-goers come together around sacred water bodies to show appreciation to their divine beings for the greenery that the rainy season have provided.

"I have participated in Irreecha for the past nine years," commented twenty-five-year-old Moata Abdulmajid.

"For me, this event symbolizes my heritage, it showcases the pride and greatness of my ethnic group."

Gentlemen, females, the elderly and the young all take part, adorned in attention-grabbing clothes and ornaments.

They sing, dance, exchange narratives and arrange freshly cut foliage and flowers in water - denoting vitality, rebirth and aspiration.

International Attendance

The celebration brings in individuals from all regions of Ethiopia, visitors come from internationally.

"I came last year - it was wonderful, so magnificent, I brought my offspring with me this year," mentioned one visitor, from Belfast in Northern Ireland.

"It's wonderful. Everyone welcomes you, each person offers affection and expresses hospitality."

Festival Timeline

The initial day of the festival was held on recently in the main city. On Sunday, celebrants made their way to a provincial location, a small town just outside the main city.

Even though Irreecha has its roots in indigenous faith systems, it is now observed by the larger part of the community, regardless of their belief system.

Recent Trends

In the last ten years, the quantity of individuals attending the event has increased dramatically. This is partly due to the rise of online networks, where numerous youth capture their clothing, traditional dances and singing during the festival.

Past Background

In the previous years, this event was served as a stage for political demonstrations - the Oromo community have consistently raised issues about social exclusion.

Nevertheless, the latest gathering unfolded peacefully, with an priority on joy, togetherness and ethnic identity.