BY LEULSEGED WORKU
The cultural values and practices of a given community represent the true identity of that particular society. Depending on the kind of cultural practices they perform, those groups will simply be identified by others. Cultural practices are abstract but visible in their essence. They may look intangible but they are within the soul and the body of those people who practice them.
In this regard, society and their cultural practices are the two sides of a single coin. Due to this reason, whenever people are deprived the chance to practice their cultural practices, it is obvious it compels them to react differently and for the outbreak of violent conflict. This is what we had witnessed in the previous regimes in Ethiopia. Failure to respect the social and cultural values of individuals and groups had triggered violence which in turn led number of innocent people to lose their precious lives.
It is a recent experience that due to its failure to respect the social and cultural values of Ethiopian peoples, the ousted- TPLF enterprise had gotten a rise out of Oromo people and had become the cause for the death of several Oromo people who were gathering to celebrate the Irreechaa festivity.
As it was mentioned by Hussien Fayes, Oromia Culture and Tourism Burea Head, Irreechaa Festival which is Oromo peoples’ Thanksgiving Day, is the symbol of peace, unity, brotherhood, togetherness, reconciliation and forgiveness. For this reason, it is difficult to see an Oromo person out of the Irreechaa festivity.
Despite the fact that the festivity is marked colorfully other groups are also seen enjoying the day. That is why it is common to see individuals from different ethnic, religious, cultural values attend the program with their Oromo brothers and sisters.
Irreechaa, a thanksgiving festival, is a religious and cultural festival of the Oromo people celebrated at the end of the rainy season. During Irreechaa festivity, the Oromo people thanks Waaqaa for all the blessings they have received throughout the previous year; and pray to peace, prosperity and mercy in times of difficulties and challenges.
Currently, the Irreechaa Hora Finfinne festival is being celebrated for the fourth time in 150 years in Addis Ababa warmly and colorfully in the presence of hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians drawn from the capital Addis Ababa, the surrounding areas as well as states.
In his congratulatory message he extended in relation to the festival, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that Irreechaa is all about peace, love, unity and togetherness. Whoever values Irreechaa and its values; preaches and practices peace which is the pillar of unity.
Respecting nature and praising the one who gives life to nature are the core elements of Irreechaa A man who admires nature praises the Creator. A person who values and respects Irreechaa knows the values of forgiveness at the expense of hatred. All the natural cycle we observe throughout the year are reminders of forgiveness. Irrechaa is all about peace and unity, he remarked.
As to him, Irreechaa needs to be celebrated with the sense of fraternity, love, forgiveness and respect. Abhorrence, reproachful, evil thoughts and minds is against the spirit of Irreechaa culture.
“We, as a country and people, are rich in culture and knowledge. We have number of cultural and religious systems that bind us together and make us live together. When we are united, we have seen that we will win in every struggle. We can destroy any evil that is done on us. Our experience over the past four years attested this,” he remarked.
In Gada system, working together and sharing meal together, fighting for justice is the norm. This is the other side of unity, brotherhood and love. In this regard, while marking Irrechaa Festival, we should praise and thank the Creator without being divided by culture, gender, religion and ethnicity, the Premier remarked.
Speaking at the fourth Irreechaa Forum held in connection to the festival yesterday under the theme ‘Irreechaa: Symbol of Peace, brotherhood’, Addis Ababa City Mayor Adanech Abiebie, said that Irreechaa though originates from the people of Oromo; it is a rite that solidarity, togetherness and forgiveness is preached widely and exercised practically. Thus, Irreechaa is not only the cultural value of Oromo people, but also to all Ethiopians. And everyone should preserve it.
Reiterating that Irreechaa is a festival of solidarity, brotherhood and sisterhood, the Mayor said that it is also a festival of gratitude that they express their thankfulness to the Creator for all things He has done for the people; as well as to those fellowmen who contributed something good to their people and the country.
“Irreechaa is one of the festivals that cement the unity of Ethiopians and enable them to build a country by getting Ethiopians together. When the Oromo people celebrate Irreechaa, they praise the Creator; they do not worship nature,” said adding that it is a festival celebrated to praise God who created nature.
The Mayor also urged the present generation to protect the values of Irreechaa and pass on to the next generation.
According to Oromo tradition, “Irreechaa” itself, means ‘green and fresh grass’ that symbolizes fertility and flourishing life due to the blessing and guidance of the Creator, Waaqaa (God). People gather around river banks and lakesides to make homage for Waqaa (God) for bringing them from the rainy to the sunny season. Adorned with their colorful traditional attires and holding fresh cut grass, they march to water bodies where the celebration takes place to be blessed by the Aba Geddas.
The Irreechaa Festival, which is part of the Geda System- the social, political and cultural reflection of the Oromo people and inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in October 2016 -is an annual Oromo people Thanksgiving festival. The festival will also be celebrated warmly and colorfully with large gatherings at Hora Harsadii (Lake Hora) in Bishoftu Town on Sunday.
The Ethiopian Herald October 1/2022
