Street festivals have the potential to draw tourists because they create a unique opportunity for visitors to experience a certain country’s rich cultural and religious values, enjoy their traditional music and dances, and colorful celebrations.
In Ethiopia there are a number of street festivals that are celebrated warmly and colorfully among different ethnic groups of Ethiopians. Especially in the month of September, when the summer season is concluded and the bright, sunny season spring comes, these colorful festivals are marked in various parts of the nation with different stunning events.
Of these awe-inspiring festivals, the Meskel festival that commemorates the discovery of the Finding of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified by Queen Helena in the 4th century; and Irreecha , Oromo people’s thanksgiving festival that is celebrated colorfully in Addis Ababa, Bishoftu and in other parts in Oroma State, are tourist magnets that are known for their potential to draw more tourists.
Addis Ababa Culture, Arts and Tourism Bureau Tourism Development and Promotion Directorate Director Head Firehiwot Gebremedhin said that Addis Ababa has finalized preparations to celebrate the colorful festivals. Both festivals Meskel and Irreecha are going to be celebrated in the coming few days, in an open air space. The Bureau is working along with pertinent stakeholders like Oromia Tourism Commission and religious leaders of Orthodox Church and Christianity sects as well as security forces to make sure that the celebrations to be more peaceful and as per the religious and traditional values of the people.
Further, the Bureau is working with hotel owners and tour operators as well as transport providing firms so as to make visitors’ stay more comfortable and let them get products and services at a reasonable price.
Addis Ababa is a peaceful city and everyone can come to the festivals; thus, the Bureau invites local and international tourists to come to Ethiopia and join the colorful festivals, understand why the people celebrate the festivals, and enjoy the bonfire, known as Demera, the spiritual practices of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the dancing and singing of the believers.
According to her, each festival has its own unique color which makes them more glamorous. During Meskel festival, the gathering of the priests, deacons, choir and worshipers from different churches presents an elaborate procession at the Demera place. The songs and the rituals towards the power of the cross and its findings are breathtaking.
The Bureau is responsible for safeguarding the content of the festival’s to be as per the religious and cultural values of the people. The Bureau is ready to introduce Ethiopia’s and Addis Ababa tourist destinations and let the local and international tourists know them well.
In similar manner, Irreecha will be celebrated in Addis Ababa, Bishoftu Town and various parts in Oromia State warmly and colorfully a week later.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald Oromo Culture and Tourism Commission Deputy Commissioner Nega Wodajo said that September is known for being a month where a number of colorful festivals that have the potential to draw tourists from various parts of the world are celebrated. In this regard, Irreecha is the one.
Irreecha a, as other festivities, constitutes cultural and spiritual values that promote unity, love and reconciliation among the people.
The Commission organized Oromia Tourism Week from September 24-26 in Addis Ababa and exhibitions in various parts of Oromia State and Irreecha fashion shows and cultural dancing that depict the cultural and traditional value of Oromo people are exhibited.
The Commission also invited Uganda and Rwanda tourism counterparts to take part in the Oromia Tourism Week. “The Commission is striving to promote Irreecha and the culture of Oromo people in Ethiopia and beyond. Through the connections along with Africa countries in the tourism sector, we can develop and promote sector’s product and services, and expand market opportunities.”
Responding to the query raised in relation to the preparation made to celebrate the festival, the Deputy Commissioner said that “Preparations to celebrate the colorful festival as per the value of Oromo people are underway. The youth and elderly people are working along with the Commission. The young people are informed to keep on playing a vital role in celebrations.”
According to him, Irreecha celebration is all about thanksgiving to God for the blessings and mercies the Oromo people received throughout the previous year. It is celebrated every year at the beginning of spring, new season after the dark and rainy winter season.
The grand colorful Irreecha festival of Oromo people’s Thanksgiving Day is celebrated at sacred lakes like Hora Finfinne of Addis Ababa and Hora Harsadi in Bishoftu and across Oromia State.
What makes the festival more intriguing is that the people adorned by their colorful traditional attires will come together and trek to the sacred place singing traditional songs and dancing.
As celebrants reach once at the lake, festival-goers immerse freshly cut green grass and the flowers they are carrying and sprinkle themselves and place them in the water. The youth from all over Ethiopia, especially from Oromia State, will play traditional songs and dance.
“We want to safeguard the traditional and cultural values of the Oromo people through creating awareness through media and other platforms. The efforts made so far are bearing fruits and millions are coming to celebrate the colorful Irreecha festival year in, year out.”
The Commission, since it became operational in 2020, is working in collaboration with public and private institutions to promote tourism in all parts of the State and create jobs in a more organized fashion.
“For sure the colorful festival of Irreecha is going to be the brand of Oromia tourism sector and we will keep on capitalizing it as per the value of the people of Oromo. The Commission is well-aware the festival has potential to create a market. We want the private sector to participate actively and meaningfully”
The Commission also invites all Ethiopians, Africans and the Diaspora community as well as tourists from around the world to be part of the occasion and enjoy the colorful festival.
Meskel, the discovery of the True Cross that Jesus was crucified on, is one of the intangible heritages, inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2023
