Addis Ababa:The annual Irreechaa thanksgiving festival, specifically the Hora Finfinnee celebration, is currently underway in Addis Ababa. This event has attracted tens of thousands of attendees who come together to celebrate Oromo culture, tradition, and unity in a vibrant manner.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, participants at the festival have gathered from various parts of Ethiopia, dressed in colorful traditional attire, to partake in Irreechaa. This traditional Oromo thanksgiving ceremony marks the transition from the rainy season to the harvest season and is attended by diverse segments of society, including cultural leaders such as Aba Gadas and Hadha Sinqes.
The festival offers a unique opportunity for the Oromo people to present their rich cultural and spiritual traditions. It features traditional songs, dances, and ceremonies that highlight values of beauty, unity, solidarity, and communal harmony. Irreechaa is centered around thanksgiving to Waqa (God), the creator of the universe, and includes expressions of gratitude for peace, good harvests, family well-being, and the health of livestock.
Irreechaa celebrations occur in various localities across Oromia and in communities worldwide where Oromos reside. Major gatherings include Hora Finfinnee in Addis Ababa and Hora Arsadi in Bishoftu, with the latter scheduled to take place tomorrow.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in a message for the occasion, emphasized that Irreechaa symbolizes justice, equality, love, and unity, fostering fraternity and solidarity among people. He encouraged Ethiopians to unite in overcoming challenges and building a brighter future. The Prime Minister also extended his congratulations to the Oromo people and all Ethiopians, wishing them a peaceful and prosperous festival as the country moves from the rainy season into spring.
