Selfies and singing as Ethiopia’s Oromo individuals have fun thanksgiving

[ad_1] Amensisa Ifa BBC Africa, Addis Ababa & Bishoftu

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/91d9/live/ccb2b2f0-a1f8-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/91d9/live/ccb2b2f0-a1f8-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/91d9/live/ccb2b2f0-a1f8-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/91d9/live/ccb2b2f0-a1f8-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/91d9/live/ccb2b2f0-a1f8-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/91d9/live/ccb2b2f0-a1f8-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/91d9/live/ccb2b2f0-a1f8-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/91d9/live/ccb2b2f0-a1f8-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Amensisa Ifa / BBC Four young women wearing white robes pose for photos." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Amensisa Ifa / BBC Tens of hundreds of vibrantly dressed Ethiopians descended on downtown Addis Ababa for an annual thanksgiving pageant this weekend.

Irreecha is well known by the Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, and takes place on the finish of the nation's fundamental wet season.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/a095/live/a49e5af0-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/a095/live/a49e5af0-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/a095/live/a49e5af0-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/a095/live/a49e5af0-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/a095/live/a49e5af0-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/a095/live/a49e5af0-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/a095/live/a49e5af0-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/a095/live/a49e5af0-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Amensisa Ifa / BBC Two men wear fur on their heads and across their shoulders. One holds a shield." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Amensisa Ifa / BBC Every year, festival-goers collect round sacred rivers and lakes to thank their creators for the greenery that the rains have introduced.

"I have been celebrating Irreecha for the previous 9 years," 25-year-old Moata Abdulmajid (pictured under) informed the BBC.

"To me, Irreecha represents my id, it displays the pleasure and greatness of my individuals."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/5547/live/96a07da0-a202-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/5547/live/96a07da0-a202-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5547/live/96a07da0-a202-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/5547/live/96a07da0-a202-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/5547/live/96a07da0-a202-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/5547/live/96a07da0-a202-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/5547/live/96a07da0-a202-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5547/live/96a07da0-a202-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Amensisa Ifa / BBC A man with an open robe and white headband carries a wooden stick." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Amensisa Ifa / BBC Males, ladies, the aged and the younger all take part, adorned in eye-catching garments and jewelry.

They sing, dance, share tales and place freshly reduce grass and flowers in water - an emblem of life, renewal and hope.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/6c76/live/05ca10f0-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/6c76/live/05ca10f0-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6c76/live/05ca10f0-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/6c76/live/05ca10f0-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/6c76/live/05ca10f0-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/6c76/live/05ca10f0-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/6c76/live/05ca10f0-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6c76/live/05ca10f0-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Amensisa Ifa / BBC A girl wearing a white dress and white shells in her hair smiles. Shhe carries a bunch of yellow flowers." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Amensisa Ifa / BBC <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/7327/live/2903f0c0-a1fc-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/7327/live/2903f0c0-a1fc-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/7327/live/2903f0c0-a1fc-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/7327/live/2903f0c0-a1fc-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/7327/live/2903f0c0-a1fc-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/7327/live/2903f0c0-a1fc-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/7327/live/2903f0c0-a1fc-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/7327/live/2903f0c0-a1fc-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Amensisa Ifa / BBC Four women wearing striped dresses hold yellow flowers." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Amensisa Ifa / BBC Irreecha doesn't solely appeal to individuals from throughout Ethiopia, attendees fly in from around the globe.

"I got here final 12 months - it was so good, so lovely, I introduced my kids with me this 12 months," says Claire (pictured second from proper), from Belfast in Northern Eire.

"It's superb. All people desires to say hiya, everybody desires to offer you a kiss and say welcome."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/d17b/live/5c961bd0-a1fb-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/d17b/live/5c961bd0-a1fb-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/d17b/live/5c961bd0-a1fb-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/d17b/live/5c961bd0-a1fb-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/d17b/live/5c961bd0-a1fb-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/d17b/live/5c961bd0-a1fb-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/d17b/live/5c961bd0-a1fb-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/d17b/live/5c961bd0-a1fb-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Amensisa Ifa / BBC Festival attendees, adorned in jewelry, hold plants in their hands." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Amensisa Ifa / BBC The primary day of the pageant happened on Saturday in Addis Ababa. On Sunday, festival-goers travelled to Bishoftu, a small city simply exterior the capital.

Though the Irreecha has its roots in indigenous religion methods, it's now noticed by nearly all of Oromos, no matter their faith.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/4601/live/ca21d970-a1f9-11f0-947b-6b8b23372a50.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/4601/live/ca21d970-a1f9-11f0-947b-6b8b23372a50.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4601/live/ca21d970-a1f9-11f0-947b-6b8b23372a50.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/4601/live/ca21d970-a1f9-11f0-947b-6b8b23372a50.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/4601/live/ca21d970-a1f9-11f0-947b-6b8b23372a50.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/4601/live/ca21d970-a1f9-11f0-947b-6b8b23372a50.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/4601/live/ca21d970-a1f9-11f0-947b-6b8b23372a50.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4601/live/ca21d970-a1f9-11f0-947b-6b8b23372a50.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Amensisa Ifa / BBC A huge crowed of people, mostly wearing white, is pictured from above" class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Amensisa Ifa / BBC <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/3fbd/live/bfa6f010-a1fa-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/3fbd/live/bfa6f010-a1fa-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/3fbd/live/bfa6f010-a1fa-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/3fbd/live/bfa6f010-a1fa-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/3fbd/live/bfa6f010-a1fa-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/3fbd/live/bfa6f010-a1fa-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/3fbd/live/bfa6f010-a1fa-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/3fbd/live/bfa6f010-a1fa-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Amensisa Ifa / BBC A young girl, sitting on someone's shoulders, peers above the crowd. She wears a striped outfit and beaded headpiece." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Amensisa Ifa / BBC Previously decade, the variety of individuals attending the pageant has elevated dramatically. That is partly because of the rise of social media, the place many younger individuals doc their outfits, dancing and singing in the course of the pageant.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/4201/live/fff8b270-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/4201/live/fff8b270-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4201/live/fff8b270-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/4201/live/fff8b270-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/4201/live/fff8b270-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/4201/live/fff8b270-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/4201/live/fff8b270-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4201/live/fff8b270-a1fa-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Amensisa Ifa / BBC Three girls, wearing white robes and wooden staffs, smile for the camera." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Amensisa Ifa / BBC <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/c14f/live/2de7e200-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/c14f/live/2de7e200-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c14f/live/2de7e200-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/c14f/live/2de7e200-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c14f/live/2de7e200-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/c14f/live/2de7e200-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/c14f/live/2de7e200-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c14f/live/2de7e200-a1fb-11f0-b741-177e3e2c2fc7.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Amensisa Ifa / BBC Seven men pose for the camera, wearing scarves around their head and white tops. They carry wooden staffs." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Amensisa Ifa / BBC Previously, Irreecha was used as a platform for anti-government protests - the Oromo individuals have lengthy complained about political and financial marginalisation.

Nevertheless, this 12 months's celebration unfolded peacefully, with an emphasis on pleasure, unity and cultural pleasure.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/36d1/live/db162450-a1fb-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/36d1/live/db162450-a1fb-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/36d1/live/db162450-a1fb-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/36d1/live/db162450-a1fb-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/36d1/live/db162450-a1fb-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/36d1/live/db162450-a1fb-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/36d1/live/db162450-a1fb-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/36d1/live/db162450-a1fb-11f0-92db-77261a15b9d2.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Amensisa Ifa / BBC A boy smiles in the direction of the camera, while the rest of the crowd (out of focus) look in a different direction." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Amensisa Ifa / BBC You might also be thinking about:

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