In brief
The annual Irreecha festival draws tens of thousands of Ethiopians to Addis Ababa, where they celebrate the end of the rainy season with vibrant traditional attire, singing, and dance. This year's celebration focused on joy and unity, marking a shift from past years that saw political protests. The festival is a significant cultural event for the Oromo people, symbolizing gratitude for the bounty of nature. Attendees from around the world join in the festivities, highlighting a sense of community and cultural identity.
Tens of thousands of vibrantly dressed Ethiopians descended on downtown Addis Ababa for an annual thanksgiving festival this weekend.
Irreecha is celebrated by the Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, and takes place at the end of the country's main rainy season.
Each year, festival-goers gather around sacred rivers and lakes to thank their creators for the greenery that the rains have brought. This year's festival unfolded peacefully, emphasizing joy and cultural pride rather than political protests.
People of all ages are adorned in eye-catching clothes and jewellery, singing, dancing, and placing freshly cut grass and flowers in water as symbols of life, renewal, and hope.
Attendees, including those from abroad, expressed their joy and the beauty of joining a celebration of identity, pride, and unity. The event showcases Ethiopia’s cultural richness, marking it as a significant occasion not only for the Oromo but for all Ethiopians.
The festival has seen an increase in participants in recent years, aided by social media where many document their outfits and experience, attracting even wider audiences.
