Hundreds of thousands of Oromo people filled the streets of Addis Ababa on Saturday for the annual Irreecha thanksgiving festival, bringing a sea of colourful traditional dress, flowers and dancing to the city, along with calls for peace and reconciliation.
Footage shows huge crowds at Hora Finfinnee performing traditional dances, waving fresh grass and flowers and gathering beside the water for the festival’s traditional ceremonies.
“Peace is above all, love is above all, reconciliation is above all,” said festival participant Guta Safan, describing Irreecha as a celebration of unity and forgiveness.
Another participant, car mechanic Ababa Badhiya, stressed the importance of peace for Ethiopia’s future.
“When there is peace, a person can work well and progress. But if there is no peace, working or changing is not possible,” he said.
Saleswoman Dibora Mamo linked the celebrations to the country’s conflicts, calling for dialogue and mutual respect.
“When there is agreement, there will be no war, there will be unity,” she said.
Irreecha is one of the Oromo people’s biggest cultural celebrations, traditionally marking the end of the rainy season and the beginning of a new season. Dressed in colourful traditional clothing, revellers gather beside rivers and lakes, dipping fresh grass and flowers into the water as symbols of thanksgiving, hope and renewal.
Celebrations take place at Hora Finfinnee in Addis Ababa, followed by gatherings at Hora Arsadi in Bishoftu.
Source: Viory
