To promote the best experiences and indigenous culture and scale up best practices for Africa and humanity around the world, politicians and traditional leaders are expected to take several important actions. Certainly, the contribution of indigenous values, such as Irreecha, can play a crucial role in sustaining coexistence in Ethiopia. Irreecha is an annual thanksgiving festival celebrated by the Oromo people, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia. It is deeply rooted in their cultural heritage and carries significant spiritual, social, and environmental significance. Irreecha and indigenous values can contribute to sustaining coexistence in Ethiopia in many ways.
It provides an opportunity for different ethnic groups and communities to come together, fostering cultural understanding and appreciation. By participating in each other’s festivals and rituals, people can learn about and respect the diverse traditions, beliefs, and practices of different indigenous groups in Ethiopia. This understanding can help build bridges between communities and promote coexistence.
Irreecha is closely linked to nature and the environment. The festival is usually celebrated in areas of natural significance, such as riverbanks or sacred forests. Indigenous values often emphasize the interconnectedness of humans with the natural world and the need for its protection. By embracing these values and incorporating them into sustainable practices, such as reforestation efforts and conservation initiatives, communities can work together to preserve the environment and its resources for future generations, promoting coexistence with nature.
It is a time of communal gathering and reconciliation, where people come together to express gratitude, seek forgiveness, and reinforce social bonds. This emphasis on forgiveness, unity, and inclusivity can be extended beyond the festival itself to promote social harmony in everyday life. By embracing indigenous values of respect, empathy, and cooperation, communities can foster an environment of mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.
The Oromo Abba Gadas said that, they are ready to celebrate the Irreecha festival, which will be celebrated on September 26 and 27, 2016 local calendar, together with other brother nations and peoples. According to the secretary of the Oromo Abba Gada Union, Abba Gada Gobena Hola; Preparations have been made to celebrate the festival, which is a manifestation of reconciliation and peace, together with other neighboring and brotherly peoples.
According to him, Irreecha festival will be celebrated on September 26th in Addis Ababa, Hora Finfinne and September 27th in Bishoftu, Hora Arsade, preserving Oromo culture and values. He said, “We will celebrate this year’s Irreecha together with Sidama, Benishangul, Amhara, Somali, Afar, Tigray and other brother peoples.”
According to Ali Mohammad Surur, Irreecha is a festival of reconciliation, peace and unity where the Oromo people show their beauty and praise the creator, so it is celebrated with a sense of empathy. It is a festival that unites nations and invites everyone who wants to participate in the festival. He invited the participants to wear their traditional clothes and celebrate together with the Oromo people.
He pointed out that, Irreecha is a traditional system where the Oromo people meet in one place. It is a festival to thank the creator who passed the winter and moved to September. The festival is celebrated under the guidance of Gada fathers and Malka fathers according to the Oromo people’s system. It is a festival that fathers, mothers, male and female youth celebrate with respect and with green grass in a non-political spirit.
Abba Gada Workneh Teresa, a member of the Oromo Abba Gadas Union, on his part said that, since it is a festival where the Oromo people get together every year in a way that respects their culture and values, they celebrate it with their brothers and sisters. Before going out to celebrate Irreecha, peace and reconciliation starts with one’s family and neighbors. Everyone celebrates the festival by apologizing for the past and expressing hope for the future.
He mentioned that, the Oromo people are intelligent and have values of solidarity. The festival does not violate any faith, gender, identity, ethnicity and political views. All those who come to attend the festival should celebrate it with love, unity and peace by wearing their traditional clothes and holding their Gada symbols.
Indigenous cultures and traditions are rich reservoirs of wisdom, knowledge, and diversity that have evolved over centuries. They hold the key to sustainable living, environmental stewardship, and harmonious coexistence with the natural world. However, in today’s rapidly changing global landscape, indigenous cultures face numerous challenges, including cultural erosion, marginalization, and the loss of ancestral lands. Politicians and traditional leaders play vital role in promoting indigenous cultures and scaling up best practices, not only for Africa but also for the betterment of humanity worldwide.
At the heart of any effort to promote indigenous cultures lies recognition and respect. Politicians and traditional leaders have the responsibility to acknowledge and honor the value of indigenous cultures. This entails embracing the diversity of indigenous practices, beliefs, and languages, and recognizing their contributions to society, history, and the environment. By doing so, they can help preserve and promote indigenous cultures as vibrant and essential components of our global cultural tapestry.
A crucial aspect of recognition and respect is to actively engage with indigenous communities. Leaders should initiate dialogue and establish meaningful relationships with indigenous leaders and representatives. By fostering these connections, they can gain insights into the unique challenges faced by indigenous communities and work collaboratively to address them.
To truly promote indigenous cultures, politicians and traditional leaders must strive towards inclusive governance. This means actively involving indigenous leaders in decision-making processes, policy formulation, and implementation. By incorporating indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and practices into the governance framework, policymakers can ensure that indigenous communities have a say in matters that directly impact their lives.
Inclusive governance should extend beyond mere representation. It should involve genuine participation, where indigenous communities are empowered to shape policies and programs that impact them. By fostering a sense of ownership and agency, politicians and traditional leaders can help bridge the gap between indigenous communities and mainstream society, promoting cultural diversity, inclusivity, and coexistence.
Politicians and traditional leaders have a critical role to play in advocating for the legal protection of indigenous rights. Indigenous communities often face challenges related to land rights, resource extraction, and cultural appropriation. It is the duty of politicians and traditional leaders to champion the cause of indigenous rights, both at the national and international levels.
By recognizing and upholding the rights of indigenous peoples to their lands, resources, and cultural practices, politicians and traditional leaders can ensure the preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage. They should actively support the implementation of national and international laws and conventions that protect indigenous rights, addressing historical injustices and promoting social justice.
Promoting education and awareness about indigenous cultures is vital for their preservation and promotion. Politicians and traditional leaders should support initiatives that integrate indigenous knowledge into educational curricula, organize cultural events, and raise awareness about the importance of indigenous heritage.
Education plays a pivotal role in nurturing cultural roots and fostering a sense of pride and understanding in one’s own culture. By incorporating indigenous perspectives, histories, and practices into mainstream education, politicians and traditional leaders can ensure that future generations are equipped with the knowledge and respect necessary to appreciate and preserve indigenous cultures.
Furthermore, awareness campaigns and cultural events can serve as powerful platforms to showcase the richness and diversity of indigenous cultures. By highlighting the contributions of indigenous communities to various fields like arts, sciences, and sustainable practices, politicians and traditional leaders can challenge stereotypes and foster greater appreciation for indigenous cultures among the wider population.
They should actively collaborate with indigenous communities, academics, civil society organizations, and international partners to promote best practices and scale up successful initiatives. By forming partnerships, they can share knowledge, exchange experiences, and develop sustainable strategies for preserving and promoting indigenous cultures.
Collaboration allows for the sharing of best practices that have proven successful in preserving indigenous cultures and promoting sustainable development. It facilitates the transfer of knowledge across regions and communities, enabling policymakers to adapt and implement approaches that have worked elsewhere. Through these collaborative efforts, politicians and traditional leaders can enhance the capacity of indigenous communities to address challenges such as poverty, discrimination, and environmental degradation.
They must prioritize sustainable development that respects indigenous cultures and practices. Sustainable development should go hand in hand with the preservation and promotion of indigenous cultures, rather than undermining them.
By integrating indigenous knowledge and wisdom into development policies and practices, politicians and traditional leaders can ensure that projects align with the values and aspirations of indigenous communities. This requires an understanding of the intricate connections between culture, environment, and livelihoods. Projects should be designed in consultation with indigenous communities, taking into account their traditional practices, ecological knowledge, and sustainable resource management systems.
Additionally, the leaders should promote economic opportunities that preserve indigenous traditions, crafts, and livelihoods. This can be achieved through supporting local entrepreneurship, fair trade initiatives, and cultural tourism that respects indigenous values and benefits the communities directly. By empowering indigenous communities to participate in sustainable economic activities, politicians and traditional leaders can help create a balance between cultural preservation and socio-economic progress.
They should actively engage in global forums, conferences, and organizations to raise awareness about the importance of indigenous cultures and advocate for policies that support their preservation and promotion.
International advocacy involves amplifying indigenous voices on the global stage and advocating for the rights, needs, and aspirations of indigenous communities. This includes addressing issues of cultural appropriation, environmental degradation, and social injustice faced by indigenous peoples worldwide. They can leverage their positions to influence global discourse, policies, and frameworks to ensure indigenous perspectives are considered and integrated into international agendas.
Through recognition and respect, inclusive governance, legal protection and rights, education and awareness, collaboration and partnerships, sustainable development, and international advocacy, they can create an environment that nurtures and celebrates indigenous cultures.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY LAKACHEW ATINAFU
The Ethiopian Herald October 5/2023
