ADDIS ABABA– The Irreechaa festival, a symbol of peace, unity, and love for the Oromo community and beyond, received high praise from a Kenyan delegation visiting Addis Ababa to join the celebration.
A delegation of around 60 Kenyans arrived in Addis Ababa late Wednesday to partake in the Oromo thanksgiving festival, Irreechaa, which is being celebrated today in Addis Ababa and will continue tomorrow in Bishoftu.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), delegation leader DimaHasan emphasized that the festival represents unity, love, and brotherhood among the Oromo people. “This will be my third consecutive year celebrating Irreechaa. The team has traveled from Mombasa, Kenya, to join in the celebrations at both HoraFinfinnee and HoraArsedi, which is a testament to the unity and brotherhood that the festival fosters across communities,”Dima said.
The delegation leader added that the festival plays a vital role in strengthening unity within the community and beyond. He also called for the creation of an international forum to further solidify these ties. Since 2016, the festival has been observed in Kenya under the title “Oromo Cultural Festival,” with preparations finalized for this year’s celebration in early November 2024.
Another delegate, Ibrahim Guyo, shared his enthusiasm: “The celebration is truly mesmerizing. The hospitality has been incredible since our arrival, and I am eager to experience this fascinating event.”
Irreechaa, the Oromo thanksgiving festival, is widely observed in Ethiopia, particularly among the Oromo community. It marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvest season, a time for the Oromo people to express gratitude for the blessings they have received. The festival is also an occasion to seek reconciliation and future blessings from Waaqaa (God) for the coming season.
BY HAILE DEMEKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 2024
