Photos along with Singing as People of Ethiopia Mark Annual Thanksgiving

Tens of thousands of brightly clothed Ethiopians gathered in downtown Ethiopia's capital for the annual gratitude celebration over the past days.

The festival is celebrated by the Oromo, the biggest ethnic group, and takes place at the end of the nation's major rainy season.

Annually, celebrants come together around sacred natural water sources to express gratitude to their divine beings for the greenery that the precipitation have brought.

"I've attended Irreecha for the previous nine years," mentioned twenty-five-year-old Moata Abdulmajid.

"For me, Irreecha symbolizes my heritage, it showcases the pride and greatness of my ethnic group."

Males, ladies, the elderly and the young all take part, ornamented in striking garments and jewellery.

They vocalize, move rhythmically, exchange narratives and arrange freshly cut green plants and floral arrangements in liquid - representing life, renewal and aspiration.

Worldwide Participation

The celebration brings in individuals from all regions of Ethiopia, visitors fly in from around the world.

"I visited a year ago - the experience was amazing, so spectacular, I invited my offspring with me this year," expressed one visitor, hailing from Belfast in Northern Ireland.

"It's incredible. Everybody wants to say hello, all attendees offers affection and offers greetings."

Event Schedule

The opening day of the festival took place on Saturday in Addis Ababa. On the next day, participants travelled to a nearby town, a small town close to the urban center.

Although this celebration has its foundations in traditional beliefs, it is now celebrated by the majority of the community, irrespective of their belief system.

Contemporary Trends

In the past decade, the quantity of individuals participating in the festival has expanded substantially. This is partially because of the rise of digital platforms, where many young people document their clothing, dance moves and musical expressions during the gathering.

Previous Significance

In the past, this event was served as a platform for political demonstrations - the ethnic group have consistently raised issues about political and economic marginalisation.

Nonetheless, the latest gathering took place calmly, with an emphasis on happiness, unity and heritage appreciation.