Snapshots and Melodies as Ethiopian Citizens Mark Gratitude Festival
Tens of thousands of vibrantly dressed participants converged in downtown the city center for the traditional gratitude celebration over the past days.
The festival is observed by the Oromo community, the predominant ethnic group, and is held at the conclusion of the nation's major wet season.
Annually, participants come together around holy water bodies to give thanks to their higher powers for the lush vegetation that the precipitation have delivered.
"I've attended this celebration for the previous nine years," stated 25-year-old a participant.
"To me, Irreecha represents my identity, it demonstrates the honor and greatness of my ethnic group."
Gentlemen, women, the older generation and the younger generation all join in, adorned in attention-grabbing attire and jewellery.
They chant, dance, share stories and deposit recently harvested grass and flowers in the water - representing existence, regeneration and optimism.
Global Presence
This festival not only draws individuals from across Ethiopia, visitors fly in from internationally.
"I visited last year - it was wonderful, so spectacular, I brought my kids with me now," mentioned an international guest, from Belfast in Northern Ireland.
"It's incredible. Everybody wants to say hello, each person wants to give you a kiss and offers greetings."
Festival Schedule
The first day of the event was held on Saturday in Addis Ababa. On the next day, participants journeyed to a nearby town, a small town close to the capital.
Although this celebration has its foundations in native spiritual practices, it is now practiced by the bulk of the Oromo people, regardless of their belief system.
Contemporary Changes
In the last ten years, the figure of individuals joining the celebration has expanded substantially. This is partially because of the expansion of social media, where numerous young people document their clothing, dance moves and singing during the gathering.
Previous Background
In the past, this event was functioned as a venue for public dissent - the Oromo community have long complained about social exclusion.
However, the latest gathering proceeded harmoniously, with an emphasis on happiness, solidarity and ethnic identity.
