ADDIS ABABA- Oromia State Culture and Tourism Bureau announced that retrieving and celebrating the Oromo’s Thanksgiving Festival, Irrechaa after years in Addis Ababa, Hora Finfinne, has social, economic and political advantages for Ethiopians.
Girma Nemera, History Expert with Bureau said that the celebrating Irrechaa at Hora Finfinne has a lot of advantages.
As Addis Ababa is the home for different nations and nationalities with different ethnic and cultural identity, the festival paves the way for togetherness between Oromo Community and other ethnic groups and strengthens unity.
As to the Expert, the retrieve of Irrechaa to its historical place is sensible mentioning that Hora Finfinne was the area at which the Tullema Oromo community extended gratitude for God several years ago.
All Oromia Civil service Institutions including Oromia Cultural Center which organize the event situated at the capital city, the celebration of the festival at the Hora Finfinne is helpful to save time and other resources required to celebrate the festival.
He noted that beyond the presentation of mass number of local participants the undertaking of the ceremony at the city enables diplomatic community to take part in the ceremony.
He underscored that the letting to retrieve Irrechaa to its former place reflects the commitment of government in ensuring equality among ethnic groups and religions.
Habib Mohammed Communication Expert of the Bureau on his part said that Hora Finfinne was one among the places where the Oromo’s Thanksgiving Festival undertook before a century and it was deprived by authoritarian leaders of the era.
He noted that though Irrechaa is one of the values of the Geda System and is a Festival that is cherished by all Oromo communities irrespective of religious, gender, political and age differences, few people recognize it as merely spiritual event. To adjust such type of wrong perception, the Bureau has been undertaking awareness creation works.
Gemmachu Gari member of Folle and resident of the city on his part said that in the city because there is improved transportation and other infrastructure services, it is conducive for tourists to take part at the event.
Further, it enables service provider institutions, such as hotels to gain considerable economic benefits.
Over eight million people are expected to participate at the event and activities are underway to make the Festival African great festival, The Ethiopian Herald learnt
The Ethiopian Herald Sept 25 /2019
BY TAMERU REGASA
