Ethiopia is truly a land of diversity, with a rich tapestry of cultures and a home to various ethnic groups. The country celebrates a multitude of cultural practices and festivals, each holding their own unique significance. Some of the notable cultural and spiritual festivals in Ethiopia include Enkutatash, Timket (Epiphany), Meskel (The Finding of True Cross), Fichee-Chambalaalla (New Year festival of the Sidama People), Genna (Ethiopian Christmas), and Irreechaa (Thanksgiving celebration of the Oromo People). These festivals are not only cherished by the diverse nation, nationalities, and peoples of Ethiopia; but also eagerly attended and appreciated by tourists flooding to the country from around the world.
Irreechaa, specifically, is an annual thanksgiving holiday celebrated by the Oromo people in Ethiopia. It is a significant cultural and spiritual event that marks the transition from the rainy season to the sunny new season known as Birraa. Irreechaa holds deep roots in Oromo culture and carries immense importance for the Oromo community.
Traditionally, the festival is celebrated around the shorelines of rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water, as water symbolizes life and fertility in Oromo culture.
During Irreechaa, people gather in large numbers, adorned in traditional attire and carrying flowers and branches as symbols of gratitude and blessings. The festival serves as a moment of extending gratitude for all the blessings, offering prayers for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests, and paying homage to ancestors.
In recent years, Irreecha has expanded beyond its traditional location in the Oromia State, gaining recognition and participation from Oromo communities residing in different parts of Ethiopia. The celebration has also extended to the capital city of Addis Ababa and the town of Bishoftu (Debre Zeit).
Irreechaa is not only a thanksgiving holiday but also a manifestation of Oromo culture and a symbol of Oromo national unity. It promotes peace, unity, and fraternity, emphasizing the importance of togetherness and considering the interests of others. As preparations are underway for this year’s Irreechaa festival (2023) in Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, scholars have been interviewed to shed light on the spiritual and cultural values of Irreecha festival.
Tadesse Jalata (PhD), Associate Professor of Cultural Studies at Addis Ababa University, emphasized that Irreecha represents the core values of the Oromo people. Irreecha, as it centers peace, unity, and fraternity, promoting togetherness and considering the interests of others, serves as a symbol of peace that goes beyond individual interests and encompasses the well-being of the community as a whole.
The celebration of Irreechaa demonstrates the richness and diversity of Ethiopia’s cultural heritage, providing a platform for unity, gratitude, and cultural exchange. It is a time when people come together to celebrate their shared values, strengthen their bonds as a community, and foster mutual understanding among different backgrounds and cultures.
Indeed, according to Tadesse, peace and fraternity are fundamental values of Irreechaa festival. He highlighted that peace leads to unity and tolerance making Irreecha not only a celebration of Oromo culture but also a symbol of cultural identity and unity. The festival attracts multitudes from all over the country and abroad, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere that marks the diversity and heritage of the Oromo people.
Tadesse further emphasizes that Irreecha is deeply rooted in Oromo culture and encompasses both cultural and spiritual aspects. “Thanking the Creator is at the core of Irreechaa, bringing people together in a designated location to praise and magnify the Creator, regardless of religious differences or political affinities. Irreecha also marks the transition to a new season and symbolizes hope. It is a time to express gratitude for the blessings and abundance of life, signifying the end of the rainy season,” he reiterated.
Additionally, Irreechaa holds a strong connection between humans and nature. The physical objects used during the spiritual rituals represent the relationship between humans and nature, ultimately leading to the Creator, who is the source of all blessings and abundance. That is why the Oromo people celebrate Irreecha in and around the bank of rivers, highlighting the importance of this relationship.
Getachew Tadesse, Researcher and PhD student in Gedaa System and Administration at Bule Hora University said that Irreechaa is a form of thanksgiving to the Creator and signifies the unity and fraternity of the Oromo people.
On the cultural side, Irreecha involves the display of traditional Oromo culture. Individuals adorned in traditional attire and ornaments that represent the cultural values of the people. Seeing women and men, young girls and boys, adults and elders embellished with traditional attire is a common scene during Irreecha. Cultural songs that reflect the society and cultural dances are integral parts of the celebration, showcasing unity, value systems, love, and tolerance.
The festival also features cultural troupes and performers who entertain the crowds with traditional songs, poetry recitations, and storytelling, highlighting the rich oral traditions of the Oromo people. Various rituals and ceremonies hold cultural significance, including blessings, prayers, and offerings to express gratitude for the harvest and the blessings of life.
Furthermore, Irreecha provides a platform for exhibiting Oromo culture through exhibitions. Artisans and craftsmen showcase their traditional crafts such as pottery, weaving, and woodwork, adding to the cultural experience of the festival.
According to Getachew, the day of thanksgiving, Irreechaa, takes place around sacred lakes such as Hora Finfinnee and Hora Harsadi. Festival-goers immerse themselves in the water, sprinkle themselves with freshly cut green grass, and engross the flowers they carry into the water. This practice is a way of praising the Creator, who is at the center of all the rituals, and has no significance to the physical entities themselves.
Getachew emphasizes that the Oromo people glorify the Creator and express gratitude for the blessings and protection they have received in the previous year. Through the rituals and cultural activities of Irreecha, they praise the Creator, known as Waaqa or God, for various reasons. This includes seeking peace, fertility, mercy, and protection, as well as desiring increased agricultural productivity and cattle numbers. The Oromo people recognize the omnipotence of the Creator in their lives.
In terms of inclusiveness, Getachew highlighted that Irreechaa is now attracting participants from various ethnic groups in Ethiopia, representing different nationalities and peoples. Additionally, several tourists from around the world are seen enjoying the event. Irreechaa provides an opportunity for the Oromo people to come together, share their experiences, and strengthen their bonds as a community. It also serves as a platform for cultural exchange, enabling visitors from diverse backgrounds to learn about Oromo culture and promote mutual understanding.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
The Ethiopian Herald October 8/2023
