Selfies along with Chanting as Ethiopians Mark Gratitude Festival
A multitude of brightly clothed Ethiopians assembled in the heart of Addis Ababa for the traditional thanksgiving festival this weekend.
Irreecha is celebrated by the Oromo, the biggest ethnic group, and takes place at the end of the country's major rainy season.
Each year, festival-goers come together around sacred natural water sources to show appreciation to their divine beings for the greenery that the precipitation have delivered.
"I have participated in Irreecha for the previous nine years," commented twenty-five-year-old one attendee.
"To me, this event symbolizes my cultural background, it reflects the pride and greatness of my community."
Males, females, the older generation and the young all participate, decorated in eye-catching garments and accessories.
They chant, move rhythmically, exchange narratives and deposit freshly cut grass and flowers in the water - denoting vitality, rebirth and aspiration.
Global Attendance
Irreecha brings in people from all regions of Ethiopia, attendees come from around the world.
"I visited last year - it was wonderful, so magnificent, I brought along my offspring with me this year," mentioned an international guest, from Belfast in Northern Ireland.
"It's incredible. Everyone welcomes you, each person shows warmth and says welcome."
Festival Timeline
The initial day of the celebration was held on recently in Addis Ababa. On the following day, celebrants made their way to Bishoftu, a settlement near the main city.
While this celebration has its foundations in indigenous faith systems, it is now practiced by the larger part of the community, without consideration for their faith.
Recent Trends
In the past decade, the figure of individuals attending the festival has expanded substantially. This is partly due to the expansion of social media, where numerous youth capture their clothing, dance moves and vocal performances during the gathering.
Past Background
In the earlier times, the festival was served as a platform for public dissent - the ethnic group have long complained about social exclusion.
Nonetheless, this year's celebration unfolded peacefully, with an priority on joy, togetherness and cultural pride.
